GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupters. This specific type of outlet can help prevent most electrocutions, and are even required in homes near sinks such as those in the kitchen or bathroom. GFCI outlets measure the current flowing out of the outlet and back. If the values vary, even slightly, the outlet with shut down any transfer of electricity. This has saved thousands of lives over the last 40 years. It’s very easy and quick to have an electrician go through your home and replace standard outlets with life-saving GFCI outlets.

If you’ve ever had children, you know how important outlet covers are in the home. While they may not be necessary all the time in a home with only adults, there are many other reasons besides children that these covers come in handy. Outlet covers are simply pieces of plastic that fit into outlets to protect anything from making contact with the available electric current. These covers protect children from putting their fingers in outlets, dogs and cats from licking them, and help prevent the rare accident as well. Pick some up at your local hardware store.

If you’ve ever opened up a light switch panel, you’ve probably seen simple situations that have three wires. One wire is the hot wire which carries electricity to the outlet. The other hot wire is only hot when the switch is activated and carries the electricity to a light or appliance. The third wire is the ground wire. More often than not, especially in older houses, this third ground wire may not be attached to anything. It’s important to make sure this ground wire is properly installed to the switch to avoid things shorting out or electrical fires.

Perhaps your house was originally built without air conditioning or you have added a full laundry room onto your home that wasn’t there when the house was built. If that’s the case, you may have outgrown your home’s electrical panel without realizing it. Adding high energy use appliances can easy place an extra toll on your electrical panel. The best way to know this is if your lights flicker when you start an appliance or you have a breaker regularly flip. It’s time to call an electrician if you think this may be the case.

We work with any type of electric wiring, old to new; from replacing an outlet to complete rewiring for both residential and commercial.

When you’re looking for an electrical company that you can feel confident working with you can turn to family-owned and operated Hoffman Electrical. We have been offering residents in the Tampa areaelectrical services since 1989 and have built up a spotless reputation in the process. When you need qualified electrical services with reasonable pricing you’ll always be sure to find it with our company.

No matter what type of service we are working on we will always use the operating methods that are the most cost effective without compromising quality. We offer competitive pricing that’s charged by the job and not by the hour so that you know exactly what to expect in terms of billing. We understand as a family-owned business that electrical emergency repairs and services may come up at the most inopportune times and that’s why we always offer fair pricing guidelines for each and every one of our valued customers.

Our Tampa electricians all have the qualifications and experience necessary to complete all projects to a safe and effective final result. Whether you need an emergency repair done immediately, are working on renovations or are looking for electrical upgrades, you can count on our team to provide it.

If you’re planning on building a new home we are the trusted choice in Tampa for electrical wiring for new housing. We understand the need to get the home completed on time and we are able to synchronize our services with those of other contractors that are on the site as well.

If you’re working on renovations in your home you’ll want to have a trustworthy electrician by your side that can work with you within your budget. Every Florida renovation project is different so you’ll need an electrician that has worked with various types of projects in the past and understands the flexibility that’s required of them. When you’re working within a specific budget we’ll provide an estimate for the job done so that you’ll know right away what the pricing will be upfront.

We also work with Tampa Bay homeowners and commercial establishments that need to set up a generator system in order to prepare for a power outage. You’ll never have to worry about having an electricity outage again once you get hooked up with a backup generator system. Our company can provide you with all the wiring you’d need for either a manual or an automatic transfer switch when the lights go out.

Whether you’re a homeowner, active in the construction industry or own a commercial property in the Tampa area, we know that you are looking for an electrical company that you can fully trust with your electrical contracting needs. You can trust Hoffman Electrical to provide competent and reliable services with qualified and experienced personnel. We’re a friendly bunch of people and through the mutual respect that we have built up with our customers we have established a solid reputation in the Tampa Bay community. We look forward to helping you with any and all of your electrical needs this year. Contact us today for more information, or to set up an appointment.

If an entire home lighting renovation isn’t feasible right now, a simple and affordable way to update your style is by getting creative with what you already have and combining it with what others have left behind.

There is nothing quite as rewarding to me as a good ol’ thrift shop gem. When my family moved into a new home last year, the builder-grade light fixtures didn’t do much for the decor, but upgrading them just wasn’t in the budget. I was faced with the challenge of incorporating my style into the house without spending a fortune — a perfect excuse to pay a visit to my favorite local resale shops. Check out what I came home with…

QUICK TIP: Don’t forget about Ebay, consignment stores, flea markets, Craigslist, Freecycle, local yard sales, or non-profit donation centers like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity ReStores.   

I always loved the height and elegant shape of this lamp. When the shade was damaged in our move, it was a perfect opportunity for me to get creative. A new lamp shade ($9.95 on consignment), a decorative finial (taken from another old lamp), and some leftover twine gave this light new life!