Why Choosing a Non-Commission-Based Electrician Matters for Your Home

When you invite a contractor into your home—whether it’s an electrician, plumber, or HVAC technician—you’re trusting them not just with your property, but with your peace of mind. One important question that homeowners often forget to ask is: “Does this technician work on commission?” Today we talk about Why Choosing a Non-Commission-Based Electrician Matters for Your Home.

At Gloudeman Electric, we believe that transparency builds trust. That’s why we want to be clear: our electricians are not paid on commission. We operate differently—and we think that matters.

What Does “Commission-Based” Mean in the Trades?

In many service industries, including electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, it’s common for technicians to earn commission on the work they sell. That means their paycheck may depend on how much they can upsell—whether that’s recommending extra services, replacing parts, or upgrading equipment.

Sometimes, this system can work well, and some homeowners may not mind it. But it’s also important to understand what that structure can incentivize. When a technician is paid based on how much you spend, there may be pressure—intended or not—to sell you more than you truly need.

Why Our Non-Commission Model Benefits You

At Gloudeman Electric, our electricians are paid hourly—not by the job, and not by what they sell. This means our team is focused on solving your electrical issues, not on maximizing the ticket price.

Here’s how that helps you as a homeowner:

• No Pressure Sales Tactics: You’ll never feel pressured to approve unnecessary upgrades or services. If we recommend something, it’s because it’s genuinely important for safety, code compliance, or functionality.

• Honest, Transparent Estimates: We quote based on what’s needed—not what benefits our staff financially. That helps build trust and makes it easier to plan your home improvement projects.

• Customer-Focused Service: Our electricians are trained to focus on quality workmanship and customer satisfaction, not sales targets. That creates a better experience for everyone.

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Ask the Right Questions When Hiring a Contractor

Whether you're hiring an electrician, plumber, or HVAC technician, don’t hesitate to ask: "Are your technicians paid on commission?"

It’s a fair and important question. The answer can tell you a lot about the company’s values—and what kind of service you can expect.

Why Homeowners in Mount Pleasant and Charleston Choose Gloudeman Electric

At Gloudeman Electric, we’re proud to serve the Charleston and Mount Pleasant area with honest, professional, non-commission-based electrical work. From panel upgrades to EV charger installations to everyday troubleshooting, we show up ready to get the job done right—no strings attached.

If you’re looking for an electrician who puts your needs first, we’d be honored to help.

How to Tell If Someone Is Qualified to Do Electrical Work in Your Home

Is Your Electrician Really Qualified? Here's How to Check

At Gloudeman Electric, we’re big on safety, transparency, and doing things by the book. One of the most common questions we get is :“How do I know if someone is actually qualified to do electrical work in my home?”

It’s a smart question — and not always easy to answer unless you know what to look for. So here’s a quick guide from our Master Electrician Andrew on how to check credentials and avoid unlicensed (and potentially unsafe) work.

⚡ Licenses That Don’t Qualify Someone to Do Electrical Work

Here are a few certifications that don’t legally allow someone to perform electrical work in your home if they aren't working under a licensed electrician — even if they sound official:

• Journeyman Electrician: This is a useful certification, but it only proves the person completed an apprenticeship or hour worked and can work for a company. It does not authorize them to pull permits or operate as a contractor by themselves.

• Residential Specialty Contractor License (non-electrical): Sounds legit, right? But this might be for roofing, plumbing. or other trades — not electrical. Always ask what the license actually covers and if it's electrical-specific.

• Mechanical Contractor: This classification often includes HVAC or plumbing work, but unless it specifically includes electrical, it doesn’t count.

  
  

✅ Licenses That Do Qualify Someone to Do Electrical Work

To legally perform electrical work (including pulling permits), someone must hold one of these licenses:

• Residential Electrical License: Allows the contractor to work on homes, pull permits, and perform all standard residential electrical work.

• Master Electrician License: (MASC or NASCLA Certification) This is an advanced credential that requires additional experience and testing. It allows for broader scope and often includes commercial work.

  
  

🔎 How to Look Someone Up

South Carolina has a great resource through the LLR (Labor, Licensing & Regulation) website where you can verify if someone holds an active electrical license.

• Go to https://llr.sc.gov

• Type in their name or company

• If nothing comes up, try checking under both the Residential and Commercial boards

Pro tip: This is the same tool we use to vet contractors who want to work with us!

💡 Don’t Forget Insurance

Even if someone is licensed, make sure they’re insured. If something goes wrong — like damage to your home or injury during the job — you don't want that liability falling on you.

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right person for electrical work isn’t just about price or convenience. It’s about safety, legality, and peace of mind. If you’re ever unsure, give us a call or check out the LLR website. We’re happy to help you double-check credentials — even if you don’t hire us.

Stay safe, stay informed, and don’t settle for guesswork when it comes to your home’s electrical system.

3 Common Electrical Issues You Can Safely Handle Without an Electrician

When Not to Call an Electrician (And What You Can Fix Yourself)

At Gloudeman Electric, we’re always happy to help — but sometimes, you might not need us at all. In fact, there are a few common electrical problems you can safely troubleshoot on your own. Here are three examples of when you probably don’t need to pick up the phone.

1. 💨 Your Vacuum Keeps Tripping a Breaker

If your home was built after February 2008 and your vacuum keeps tripping the breaker, there’s a good chance it’s due to an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breaker.

These are safety devices that shut off power when they detect what they think is an arc (a spark in the wiring). But many older vacuums — or even newer ones with strong motors — can mimic an arc when they start up, causing the breaker to trip.

Try this first:

• Check if the tripped breaker has a "test" or "reset" button (a sign it’s an AFCI).

• Plug the vacuum into a non-AFCI protected outlet (like one not labeled or without a test button).

• If the vacuum still trips a regular breaker, it may be time for a new vacuum — or a call to us.

  
  
  
  

2. ⚡ Some Outlets Aren’t Working — Especially Outside, In Bathrooms, or the Garage

Don’t panic! This is likely related to a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet or breaker. These are usually found in:

• Bathrooms

• Kitchens

• Garages

• Outdoor spaces

• Docks or porches

  
  

GFCIs are designed to trip if there's a moisture risk or an electrical imbalance — even from something as small as a power surge during a storm.

What to do:

• Look for outlets with a reset/test button (the GFCIs).

• Check your electrical panel — some breakers are also GFCI-protected.

• Hit the reset button if it’s tripped. That often solves the issue.

  
  

3. 🏷️ Labeling Your Breaker Panel

Labeling your panel isn’t just helpful — it’s a great DIY project that doesn’t necessarily require an electrician.

Here’s a trick:

• Plug in a loud radio to the outlet you're trying to find the matching breaker for.

• Turn off breakers one by one and note which room or outlet shuts off.

• Use pre-printed or blank panel labels (available on Amazon) to mark everything clearly.

• For large appliances (dryer, oven, AC), turn them on and test breakers the same way.

  
  

Pro tip: Labeling can get tricky in older homes or when circuits are split — but getting a basic layout is better than nothing!

🚫 What Not to Do Yourself

While the above are safe to try, we don’t recommend:

• Extending wiring

• Opening up your panel

• Working on outlets, switches, or anything that requires opening a cover plate, etc.

• If it takes more than flipping a switch, pressing a button, or changing a bulb, give us a call!

  
  

If you’re unsure — always err on the side of safety and give us a call.

Final Thoughts

We’re electricians, but we’re also homeowners — and we believe in helping you save time and money when it’s safe to do so. Hopefully, these tips help you troubleshoot small issues and avoid unnecessary service calls.

Still have questions? Need help with something that’s out of your comfort zone? Gloudeman Electric is here when you need us.