Many people who found themselves stuck at home during COVID took to exploring new hobbies and pastimes. Interest in home DIY projects skyrocketed, and considerable amounts of weekend warriors broadened their horizons to see how much they could do to improve their homes on their own. However, some projects are best left to the experts. Are you considering doing your own DIY electrical work? Electrical work can be dangerous, and it is recommended that any major electrical renovations be done by a trained professional.
Electrical Panels: If you are engaged in other home DIY projects, such as a new living room or kitchen design, you might already be experiencing issues. New appliances or devices not working correctly, flickering lights, and frequent power losses are common issues. These issues might stem from old electrical panels being unable to handle the increased electrical power load. Some older models of panels have even been deemed unsafe, so working on them without proper knowledge can lead to disastrous effects. These upgrades should only be done by someone who can identify possible danger areas on old systems.
Electrical Wiring: If your home has not had its electrical wiring thoroughly checked recently, an electrician should be called to perform this laborious and dangerous task. Most fires caused by electrical systems are caused by faulty wiring. Attempting to replace all of the wiring in your house is not only hazardous for unskilled individuals, it is a long and arduous process that most people do not have the free time to do. Furthermore, even small mistakes in your wiring can lead to dangerous fires down the line, so a small amount of savings from a DIY job is not worth the potential risk.
Codes And Regulations: Local, state, and federal regulations regarding household electrical wiring and systems are updated every few years. If you fail to follow all of the regulations during your DIY installs, you might be personally liable for any damages that occur to your home in the future. Insurance is often forfeited if regulations are not followed. Electricians are routinely taught all best practices and are on the hook if any improprieties are found in the future. Furthermore, many newer appliances and devices require specific types of outlets or power sources that, if improperly installed, can damage your home or device. A skilled electrician will know exactly what kind of outlet to install and prevent issues before they occur.
Light Fixtures: Upgrading the light fixtures in your home can be a low-cost way to completely reenergize the space. Installing new lamps or bulbs can be done safely by most, but any work involving the wiring found attached to light fixtures can cause severe damage to person and property if handled incorrectly. Some light fixtures might need to draw more power than the previous system provides. These calculations and decisions will be made by an electrician and prevent damage from happening in the far future.
Conclusion
In an effort to save money, you may look at the cost of a skilled electrician and opt to try the electrical installs yourself. Not only is this dangerous, but any small mistakes can also lead to the price quickly ballooning past what you would pay for a company to service your home. Here at Promise Electric, we are dedicated to providing a high-quality service at a fair and affordable price – so that you do not have to risk your own safety just to upgrade your home. Call today to learn more about our residential and commercial electrical services.
