Red Wire Electric
A Full-service Electrical Contractor that treats customers like family
When it comes to hiring any contractor, the average home owner is seeking someone who is honest, reputable and knowledgeable. Red Wire Electric is a full-service electrical company that focuses on remodeling, lighting projects, service, and new construction projects for custom or semi-custom homes.
Owned by Scott Grafer, a local resident whose children graduated from Hampshire schools, Red Wire Electric is known for being honest about expected outcomes before undertaking projects.
“My daughters tell me, ‘When you work for a someone, you adopt them.’ I make sure my customers make good choices and do not spend money foolishly,” Grafer said.
“Sometimes a house is in such poor condition that if a homeowner wants to spend the money, I will tell them upfront if it is worth it. I have told customers they can spend the money, but they are never going to recoup the money,” he said. “Not everything is worth doing.”
Listening to customers and diagnosing problems
At Red Wire Electric, they are excellent at diagnosing problems. Whether it’s a frayed cord on a cell phone charger that’s tripping the breaker, or a faulty kitchen appliance that makes the lights flicker, Red Wire Electric specializes in diagnosing the problem and finding the solution.
In the remodeling and new construction areas of their business, asking the right questions and listening to the answers can help determine where lighting should be placed and how switches should be grouped.
Grafer said he is really good at listening to customers and “guiding them to an end where they are really happy.”
A little Bit of History
From the year 2000 to 2009, Scott Grafer ran a successful remodeling company that specialized in kitchens, bathrooms and full-service home remodeling projects. During the economic downturn of ’08-’09, Grafer was forced to lay off employees and was prepared to wait out the recession.
When the economy did not improve, Grafer decided to rethink his business model and pivot to the needs of his customers at that moment.
“I noticed that every remodel project involved some electrical work,” he said. He became a licensed electrician so he could do the work himself rather than hiring it out when he did jobs. During that time, he also did a lot of work for Habitat for Humanity.
By 2016, Grafer knew he still wanted a business of his own and had an epiphany. He would focus his business efforts on the electrical side of things, and pull away from being a remodeling contractor.
“The electric business was a better business. Lots of people called, even during a slow economy. People need their electric to work,” he said.
Avoiding Surprises
On a typical job, Grafer said his company is hired by a general contractor or a homeowner to remodel an existing space. He said getting the necessary details enables him to quote a job accurately.
“We like good paperwork and planning. We avoid surprises in pricing by providing a detailed proposal so everyone knows that’s expected. People like to know what it’s going to cost upfront,” Grafer said.
Unusual Jobs
Grafer said a lot of the jobs he gets are unusual. He said that older homes that have had multiple owners tend to have the “most creative” wiring situations that are oftentimes unsafe.
“We’ve seen homes wired with speaker wire,” he said. He also recalled one client who hired someone to add can lights and left all the old wiring live and active in the attic. It took two days to undo the poor workmanship and bring everything up to code.
Super Clean
Red Wire Electric prides itself on leaving your home “as clean or cleaner” than when they arrived. They vacuum the work area and make sure they don’t leave handprints on walls and ceilings.
“The number one rule I tell my employees; ‘If you break something, don’t let me hear it from the client. Tell me right away so we can address it,” Grafer said. “I am blessed to have a great crew.”
“We want to be the contractor you’re glad you called and want to call again,” he said.
Join us for the Ribbon Cutting and Open House at Red Wire Electric on April 24th from 4-6pm. The community is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided by Neon Cow, Niko’s Tavern and Culver’s.
About this Business:
Name: Red Wire Electric
Owner: Scott Grafer
Location: 44W106 Route 20, Hampshire, Il 60140
Phone: 224-654-6575
Email: GetRedWire@comcast.net
Website: CallRedWire.com