How to Know When You Should Hire an Electrician

How to Know When You Should Hire an Electrician

Do-it-yourself projects are a big deal these days. Everyone wants to save money by skipping the professional fees and handling repairs on their own. This is a good way to cut costs, as long as you can do the job correctly.

Expensive problems can arise when you find out that a job may have been beyond your ability level. This is especially true when discussing electricity.

Mishandling energy can be more than expensive — it can be dangerous. Before you try to tackle the job on your own, make sure it’s something that you can do without putting yourself, your family, or your home at risk.

• Large-Scale Electrical Jobs

Large-scale electrical jobs come with more potential for failure. These tend to have a higher degree of complexity and should not be handled by someone who is inexperienced. A licensed Residential Electrician will know the potential challenges and how to avoid or overcome them.

Large-scale jobs include projects like rewiring an entire home or building, replacing your old consumer unit, or anything that takes a long time to finish.

• Minor Electrical Replacements

While Connect Electric usually recommends working with an electrician, there are some things you may be able to do on your own. These include minor replacements like changing out a fuse or outlet.

Installing an inexpensive ceiling fan may also be okay for you, depending on your skill level. Just keep in mind that if you buy an expensive model, it may be best to hire a Beverly Hills electrician instead of risking potentially damaging the fan.

Make sure you thoroughly research the project and know how to turn off the power to the worksite and verify that it is off before you begin.

• When You Feel Uncertain

No matter how big or small the job may be, if you feel nervous or uncertain, it’s best to talk to a professional. Your gut could be telling you that this job is more advance than what you are comfortable doing. And that’s okay.

Electricians go to school and spend a lot of time working with electricity. This gives them skills and knowledge that the average person doesn’t have. If you want to learn more about working with electricity, you could take a class or experiment with a small job or components before getting hands-on with a home repair.

• Working on the Breaker Box

The breaker box is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It’s essential to the safe and reliable function of all wiring, outlets, and appliances. Any work done on it should be handled by an electrician. Otherwise, you could risk causing a fire or causing expensive damage to your property.

• When You Need a Permit

Cities and communities use permits to ensure that buildings are up to code. If you need a permit to complete a project, that’s likely because it’s more advanced than a simple repair or replacement. If a permit is needed, it’s time to call an electrician for help.

Saving money is a good thing, but not if it costs you more later. Make sure you know when you can do the job alone or when you should hire an electrician.

Collaboration. First published April 26, 2020.