Electrical Repairs: Don’t “Do-It-Yourself”

There are some home repairs and projects that you simply can’t do on your own. Of course, the DIY movement is rapidly growing, and it’s not surprising. DIY projects are satisfying, fun, and you can get some excellent results without having to pay for a contractor. Plus, especially concerning electrical repairs, home repairs can feel urgent. So you want them done as soon as possible, and don’t necessarily want to wait for a professional contractor. But any electrical problem needs to be handled with extreme caution. Attempting to fix any part of your electrical system without professional training and experience is incredibly dangerous.

To ensure no one is hurt during the repairs or as a result of faulty repairs, you always need to hire a professional electrical contractor. For some electrical repairs, you’re legally required to have a permit, so you’ll definitely need a professional. And any wiring jobs will need to be up to local codes and standards that only an expert will know. Going against code might not seem like too much trouble now, but it will be a huge problem if you ever decide to sell your home.

What electrical repairs are safe for DIY?

Without professional training and experience, the only electrical repairs you should ever attempt at all are the absolute most basic and simple. Anything more complicated than changing a light switch should always be left to a professional. Even then, only perform these tasks if you know what you are doing and have turned off all the power beforehand.

If there is one thing you want done professionally in your home, it’s the electrical repairs and setup. If anything goes wrong while you’re doing them by yourself, you can easily wind up seriously injured—or worse. And mistakes are very easy to make. Licensed electrical contractors can make sure that everything in your home is safe, not just during the repairs, but afterwards as well.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Electrical wiring is extremely dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. It takes one wrong move to seriously electrocute yourself, and electrocution can easily be fatal. Without professional experience, it’s also extremely dangerous to replace or extend any circuits.

Even if you are able to get the repairs done without injuring yourself or someone else, it’s still very likely that you’ve made a mistake somewhere along the line. And according to the National Fire Protection Agency, faulty wiring is the most common cause of house fires in the United States.

Whether you have a flickering light, need a panel upgrade, or need your entire home rewired, always use a licensed electrical contractor to make sure it’s all done correctly and safely.