Electrical repairs are one of the most dangerous types of home improvement projects. They can lead to serious injuries and even death if done incorrectly.
This is why it’s so important to hire a licensed electrician to perform electrical repairs. Here are a few reasons why you should never attempt to do it yourself.
Contents
Safety
There are some minor home repair jobs that a homeowner can complete without hiring a licensed electrician. These can include changing light switches, replacing outlets, and repairing or installing small appliances.
However, attempting electrical repairs without a license can be dangerous and should never be attempted. It can result in serious injuries, fires, and even death.
A poorly done electrical job can be one of the leading causes of house fires in the United States, and it’s a real concern for anyone who works with electric equipment or wiring.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that faulty wiring and other electrical devices cause 69 percent of all electrical fires. These fires are costly and can damage your home.
Damage
If you’re not licensed to do electrical repairs, you could end up in trouble if something goes wrong. It’s important to know that doing electrical work without a license is illegal in many places, and you can face fines or even jail time for it.
There are some cases where you might be able to save money by doing electrical repairs yourself, but it’s always best to hire a licensed electrician. The reason for this is that attempting to do electrical repairs without a professional can wreck your home.
Faulty electrical work can lead to fires, which can be devastating for your property and your family. Not only will your insurance not cover the damages, but you could be liable for thousands of dollars in damage repair alone if the damage is your fault.
Permits
Whether you are doing electrical repairs yourself or hiring a licensed electrician, you will likely need a permit. It’s always a good idea to check with your local building department and find out exactly what permits are required.
Permits are necessary to ensure that any work done is done correctly and meets current safety guidelines. If you attempt electrical repairs without a permit, you may face fines and other penalties.
In addition, you should also consider the impact that unpermitted work could have on your home when you sell it. Real estate inspectors often look for signs of unpermitted work.
This can prevent you from getting a loan to refinance your home and may result in a denial of insurance claims if fires started due to unpermitted electrical work. Additionally, you might not get your full asking price if you are trying to sell your house.
Legality
If you’re planning on doing some electrical repairs around your home, it’s important to know if you’re legally allowed to do them. Generally, it’s not legal to do major electrical upgrades or repairs without a licensed electrician.
But there are some basic tasks that don’t require a license. For example, you can replace a light switch or change an outlet.
However, if you plan on replacing the main electrical panel, installing new wiring or adding an additional outlet, you’ll need to hire a licensed electrician.
Performing electrical work that’s not up to code can put you at risk for fires or explosions. It also could cause you to face fines and other penalties.
It’s not illegal to perform minor electrical repairs yourself, but you should never try it. In most cases, a licensed electrician is the only person who can pull permits and pass inspections for electrical work. That’s why it’s so important to get the job done right.