3 min read 
5 Reasons You Should Never Attempt DIY Electrical Work
DIY projects often result in a feeling of accomplishment. However, you shouldn’t try to do your own electrical wiring. This could put you, your family and your home at risk.
Can you do electrical work in your own home? Yes. Should you? That’s a different matter. Thanks to all the home improvement shows on television and the Internet, the do-it-yourself culture is thriving. From painting to installing cupboards and repairing furniture, there’s no shortage of tutorials for homeowners. In many cases, doing the job yourself can help you to save money and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when the job is complete. However, if you’ve been wondering about how to do electrical work yourself, you should pause and reconsider. This type of work should always be left to electrical contractors.
TV shows don’t always show you all the steps involved in a project and they may leave out important details regarding building codes, safety precautions, and legal restrictions. Furthermore, it’s unlikely that they’ll be tailored to your state or city. Given how risky electrical work can be, homeowners should never attempt anything beyond very basic electrical repairs such as fixing a loose outlet or locating a short in an appliance. If you make a mistake, you could be electrocuted or you could start a fire. While there are lots of DIY projects you can take on, you should leave electrical installation, maintenance, and repairs to professional electricians. Let’s take a closer look at why this is.
WHY YOU SHOULD LEAVE ELECTRICAL REPAIRS TO THE PROFESSIONALS
Many people like the idea of not having to call an electrician every time something needs to be done. There are certainly benefits associated with doing this. However, DIY electrical projects can also be fraught with challenges. In the tables below, we’ll explore some of the pros and cons of each option.
| DIY Pros | DIY Cons |
| Doing the job yourself instead of hiring an electrician lets you save on labor costs. |
You may not know how to complete the job correctly. |
| Working on your own home gives you a feeling of satisfaction. | Doing electrical work yourself can be very time-consuming and stressful. |
| DIY electrical wiring will help you to become more familiar with your system. | You may not have the equipment and training to do the job safely. |
There are also advantages and disadvantages associated with hiring a professional, although the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks.
| Pros | Cons |
| Electricians have the training, experience, and tools to get the job done right. | Hiring a professional costs more than DIY electrical work. |
| Licensed electricians should have insurance that protects you in case something goes wrong. | Not all electricians are of the same standard so you’re not guaranteed to get excellent workmanship and service. |
| Experts can complete the job more quickly, safely, and efficiently than the average homeowner. |
REASONS YOU SHOULD NEVER DIY ELECTRICAL WORK
Electrical malfunction is one of the main causes of house fires. If you want to reduce the likelihood of something going wrong, you should forget the idea of residential DIY electrical projects. Some of the things you to seriously consider are:
- Risk. Electrical work may seem simple when you watch the pros but it can be very dangerous. Shock, electrocution, and fire can all occur when working with electrical components. If you don’t know how to maneuver around switches and junction boxes, you’re at increased risk of injury. One of the biggest risks associated with DIY electrical wiring is the possibility of causing a short that leads to a house fire. Faulty wiring can go undetected for a long time so you may think you did the job correctly. Years later, a fire could break out.
- Safety. Electricians undergo approximately 600 hours of classroom training and lots of hands-on work to get their licenses. They learn about reading blueprints, managing electrical circuits, and taking safety precautions to protect the home and its occupants in the short and long term. No online article or video is a substitute for this. Professionals know the various types of wires and components that are required for each situation. If you are untrained, you won’t know the safety measures to take.
- Hidden electrical dangers. Your home has lots of electrical components and some connections may be out of sight. Since it can be difficult to find these connections, you can accidentally get shocked. Hidden connections, such as those that lead to junction boxes can be found anywhere in your home but they’re more likely to be found in the attic. This is another reason why you should decide against carrying out a DIY electrical wiring project.
- Legality. Can you do electrical work in your own home in Colorado? Yes, but you must get a Colorado State Electrical permit from the Electrical Board before you begin. Homeowners must carry out the work personally and the property should not be open to the public or up for sale or rent. Before the work is covered with insulation or drywall, it must be inspected. It will also have to be inspected again before the house is occupied and permanent power is released.
- Failed inspections. Speaking of inspections, inspectors are tasked with making sure that your home’s electrical system is safe before you use it. Your work must comply with the National Electrical Code and if it is rejected, you may have to pay a re-inspection fee. Your DIY attempt could, therefore, end up costing you more than you expect. Unless your residential DIY electrical projects can stand up to scrutiny, you should simply hire a licensed electrician.
STAY SAFE AND CALL A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
The lure of do-it-yourself projects is understandable. For some homeowners, it’s exciting to buy materials and tools and work on something new. However, if you need electrical upgrades or repairs, this isn’t the time to experiment. The risk is simply too high. You don’t want to be injured while rewiring your home or cause a fire sometime in the future. Instead of trying DIY electrical wiring, call professionals like those at Prolectric Electrical Services who will get the job done safely and efficiently. While there will be a cost attached to hiring a licensed electrician, it will be well worth it in the long run. In fact, you can’t put a price on safety and peace of mind.
GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM TODAY
As you can see, there are several risks associated with DIY electrical work and you need to consider all of them before beginning a project. It’s not a good idea to mess around with outlets and switches if you’re not professionally trained. You also need to be familiar with the electrical code if you want your remodeling or installation work to pass inspection. Furthermore, doing your own wiring could lead to injury, hefty financial penalties, and lower home valuation. Reach out to a residential electrician at Prolectric today to schedule an inspection. Focus on a less risky DIY project instead.
