Arlen Hall, left, and Evan Demers recently moved their electrical contracting business, Age of Electric, into a new shop on First Avenue North.
Growing up in Lanigan, Arlen Hall hung out and played music with a pair of brothers who went on to form Age of Electric, one of Saskatchewan’s most successful rock and roll bands.
More than two decades later, Hall and his business partner Evan Demers decided to quit their contracting jobs to start their own electrical contracting company. Deciding what to call it was easy.
“When we were coming up with the name, we threw a lot of different ideas around, but I kept on coming back to (Age of Electric), and everybody that I suggested that name to just loved it right away,” Hall said.
Founded in early 2014 — with the blessing of the former band members — Age of Electric is a residential, commercial and industrial electrical contracting firm that claims to provide “shockingly good” service. According to Hall, the “well-rounded shop” is the culmination of decades of experience.
Hall said he started working as an electrician in 1995 after his girlfriend at the time told him that if he “didn’t quit playing music and get a job, she was going to move out.” Years later, he hired Demers to work at another electrical company. Then the pair decided to strike out on their own.
“We wanted to keep the good things that we had learned from more successful companies that we had been at … and then try not to do the things that we saw weren’t good from companies that weren’t run well,” Hall said with a laugh.
Earlier this year, Age of Electric — which now boasts five employees — moved into a new shop on First Avenue North. Hall attributes the company’s growth to its professionalism, which he said encompasses high-quality work, safety and branding.
“Really, what we want to do is provide an excellent service for a fair price,” he said.
The ongoing economic downturn has created problems for everyone working in the trades, including Age of Electric — but neither he nor Demers has any intention of slowing down, mostly because they love the work, Hall said.
“And one of the things I really like is when we help (people) who are really stuck … That’s the kind of things that make me feel good.”
Testimony from a very happy client:
If you need an electrician in Saskatoon, I highly recommend Age of Electric. I've hired 3 or 4 others over the years and these guys are a cut above, taking extra care in installations so that typical problems that usually happen long after they leave are avoided (in my case, extra bracing in a bathroom fan that would typical start vibrating loose after a few years) is avoided. And just really good guys too." Janice Braden, Saskatoon
WAY TO GO Age of Electric - setting the standard and showcasing what it is to be a Trusted Partners!!