Hiring Professional Electrical Services: When To Avoid DIY | Wilmington, NC
Many homeowners in Wilmington, NC feel comfortable tackling minor tasks themselves when it comes to home repairs and improvement. After all, it’s the logical way to save money, and who doesn’t love a challenge? But when it comes to electrical work, even seemingly minor tasks can be dangerous if not done correctly. So should you handle electrical tasks in your home yourself, or leave it to the electrical services pros?
Why Avoid DIY?
The Risk of Electrocution Is Real
For one thing, electricity is very unforgiving. It can be costly or even deadly if you make a mistake. One of the biggest dangers of electrical work is electrocution, which occurs when your body comes into contact with an electrical current. Even if the power source is turned off, this can happen because live wires may still be present. And because electrical work often involves hidden wiring and other potential hazards, it’s best to leave it to professionals.
Improper Electrical Work Can Lead to Fires
Another reason to avoid electrical work is that it can lead to fires. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with the proper way to handle wiring and other electrical components. Even something seemingly innocuous as overloading an outlet can create a fire hazard. And because most electrical fires start invisibly, by the time you realize there’s a problem, it may be too late to do anything about it. So if you’re not an experienced electrician, it’s best to steer clear of electrical services in your home.
Faulty Electrical Work Can Void Your Home Insurance
In addition to the risks of electrocution and fire, there’s also the risk that faulty electrical work will void your home insurance. Most insurance policies exclude damage caused by improper repairs or maintenance. So if you make a mistake while doing electrical work in your home, you could be on the hook for any resulting damage – which could be significant. Instead of taking that risk, hiring a professional electrical services provider is best. You don’t want to risk having to pay for repairs out of your pocket – or worse, losing your home altogether.
Risk Lowering the Value of Your Home
Even if you manage to complete electrical work without damaging your home or harming yourself, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do it to the same standards as a professional electrician. This means that any electrical work you do is likely to lower the value of your home rather than increase it. So unless you’re an experienced electrician, it’s best to avoid electrical services altogether. When you put your house on the market, potential buyers will be looking for signs of amateur work – and they’re likely to offer less for a home that has been poorly maintained.
Risk of Damaging Appliances
Finally, it’s worth noting that even if you manage to complete electrical work without damaging your home or harming yourself, there’s a good chance you’ll damage any appliances that are connected to the power source. Most appliances are not designed to be worked on by amateurs. If you open up an appliance and start tinkering with the wiring, you could easily damage it beyond repair. And even if you don’t harm the appliance, your warranty may be void if you open it up and start tinkering. So unless you’re an experienced electrician, it’s best to leave electrical services to the professionals.
Consume too Much Time
Another downside to doing electrical work yourself is that it can consume a lot of time. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with the task at hand. Even something as seemingly simple as changing a light bulb can take longer than expected when you don’t know what you’re doing. And because most electrical tasks are time-sensitive, this can lead to even more problems down the road. Since you don’t have the experience or expertise of a professional electrician, you will spend more time on the task, which can lead to frustration and even further damage. To avoid this, it’s best to leave electrical work to the professionals.
Spend More Money in the Long Run
You may think that you’re saving money by doing electrical work yourself, but this is often not the case. This is because most electrical tasks are more complex than they seem, and if you make a mistake, it can cost you more in the long run. Not to mention, if you damage your home or injure yourself while doing electrical work, you’ll be responsible for the repairs and medical bills. To avoid the extra cost and damage, it’s best to hire a professional electrical services provider in Wilmington, NC. While you may have to pay for their services upfront, it will save you money in the long run.
Violate Building Codes
It is often said that safety comes first, and this rule holds true for many aspects of life. While many people may take safety for granted, it is imperative to follow the building codes put in place when it comes to electrical work. This is because most building codes are designed to protect people from the dangers of amateur electrical work. If you violate these codes, you are putting yourself and your family at risk; you could also be fined or arrested. A professional electrician will be familiar with the building codes in your area and will be able to work safely within them. Therefore, it is always best to leave electrical services to the professionals.
Stay Safe – Let The Pros Handle It
When it comes to electrical work in your home, it’s best to play it safe and leave it to the pros. While it may be tempting to save money by handling electrical tasks in your home yourself, it’s simply not worth the risk. Electrical work is complex and requires specialized knowledge and skills. Without the proper training, you could easily cause severe damage to your home – or worse, injure yourself or someone else.
Call the experts at Mister Sparky of Wilmington if you need electrical services in Wilmington, NC. Our team of certified electricians has the experience and expertise to handle any electrical task – big or small. We are also available 24/7 for emergency electrical services. So whether you need a simple repair or a complete electrical system upgrade, we are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.