Correct Electric Inc.

Don Hammons established Correct Electric Inc. (CEI) in 1987 as a small electrical business serving the Greater Houston Area. For more than 25 years, the company has remained committed to total customer satisfaction. Today, CEI employs more than 70 employees, including designers, estimators, project managers, a full CAD department and field personnel. Working for a wide range of commercial and industrial clients throughout the region, CEI offers turnkey design-build and competitive bid projects performed correctly, under budget and on time the first time.

A strong management team leads CEI in day-to-day operations. Among the staff is Sean Gilstrap, vice president of CEI, who has been with the business since 1996. “I was working for a sign shop when Don contacted me,” Gilstrap recalls. “I was hired and that is how I began my career in the electrical industry. We have a good team here and we take a lot of pride in helping employees build careers. Going into this trade was a great opportunity for me. I know I can take my skillset anywhere in the world and find a job.” Despite that, Gilstrap plans to stick around for a while.

Quality first

Unlike many large electrical contractors, the CEI team is not looking to be the biggest operation in town. “Our focus is on being the best,” Gilstrap explains. “A few years ago, we downsized significantly. Today, we are smaller and more manageable and our priorities are clear. Our number one goal is customer satisfaction and we work very hard to achieve that on every project.”

The crew works for general contractors, end-users and facility managers. The company operates primarily in the commercial and industrial markets, although CEI has taken on occasional residential work from time to time. A majority of volume comes to the team through repeat business and referrals, meaning that maintaining a good reputation is critical to the operation’s sustained growth.

“We gauge our performance on how busy we are and how much repeat work we get,” Gilstrap notes. Gilstrap knows that a contractor is only as good as his last job and the whole team takes initiative to perform quality work and deliver a professional and courteous experience to clients on each and every site.

A growing portfolio

Over the years, the crew has worked on a wide range of projects. In the commercial sector, common projects include new construction and remodel work on banks, restaurants, schools, churches and health care facilities. The team also works on warehouses, data centers and outdoor lighting projects, such as parking lots. The company boasts more than 250 years of combined, diverse experience. Clients know that CEI can get the job done, regardless of size or scope.

The business also has a large service department, providing round-the-clock resources and technical expertise to customers. A 24/7 on-call emergency division means the company can respond quickly to power failure day or night. The crew also performs basic maintenances and repair work for a wide range of electrical systems.

Staying strong

CEI performs nearly everything in-house, although when necessary, the company will subcontract out specialty trades. “We have longstanding partnerships with several contractors who can perform up to our standards of quality,” Gilstrap elaborates. “We subcontract fire alarm, lightning protection and low voltage components. We take care of nearly everything else in-house.”

These partnerships contribute to a business with all-around strong relationships. Between strategic partners and clients, CEI draws on a strong network that supports the company’s growth. While the recent economic downturn presented challenges for contractors across the country, Gilstrap says his team was able to remain strong. “Thanks to our loyal customers, we were able to make it through,” he says. “The last seven or eight years have been challenging and the economy has been tough. With a lot of support and some restructuring, we were able to combat the challenges.”

While the years since have not exactly been a cakewalk for the CEI team, Gilstrap is optimistic about the company y’s future. He sees more opportunities opening up throughout the region, particularly in the private sector where it seemed funds were tied up the longest. “We have had quite a bit of work with local warehouses and industrial facilities,” he notes. “It is all uphill from here. The economy is doing better and we have been staying busy.” In the coming years, Gilstrap sees growth opportunities for his team. Drawing on lasting relationships and hard to beat experience, Correct Electric Inc. will continue to provide leading service to customers throughout the Greater Houston Area.