It can be very tempting to do your electrical work yourself. It at least appears to save money and wiring a socket or light switch is easy, right?
There are many instances where doing your own electrical work is actually illegal. The legality depends on how complex the repair is. Small things like installing a lamp or circuit breaker are fine. Anything else means you need a permit. The permits are only given to licensed electricians, and this is done for good reason.
Any electrical work done has to be up to code, and if you are not absolutely confident about these basic repairs, then consider hiring an electrician anyway. A properly licensed electrician will perform the work quickly and you can be reassured that it is up to code and not a fire hazard. There are also a lot of myths around - for example, a lot of people think you can use electrical tape to replace insulation (you can't, and it's a fire hazard). A lot of people also try to install ceiling fans, which can easily result in a fan on the table.
Doing your own work can cause your house to fail inspection if you sell it - and redoing your own jury-rigged repairs costs more than getting an electrician in the first place. A failed inspection can also prevent you from consolidating debt or getting a second mortgage until the work is fixed, properly, by a licensed electrician.
It is much better to call a professional in the first place. They will even guarantee the work, so you get repairs later if something happens, which is a nice thing to have just in case.
It is entirely possible to save money while hiring a pro. Just look for experienced workers or companies who are licensed and have a reasonable hourly or flat rate. It will save you money and a lot of stress in the long run.
There are many instances where doing your own electrical work is actually illegal. The legality depends on how complex the repair is. Small things like installing a lamp or circuit breaker are fine. Anything else means you need a permit. The permits are only given to licensed electricians, and this is done for good reason.
Any electrical work done has to be up to code, and if you are not absolutely confident about these basic repairs, then consider hiring an electrician anyway. A properly licensed electrician will perform the work quickly and you can be reassured that it is up to code and not a fire hazard. There are also a lot of myths around - for example, a lot of people think you can use electrical tape to replace insulation (you can't, and it's a fire hazard). A lot of people also try to install ceiling fans, which can easily result in a fan on the table.
Doing your own work can cause your house to fail inspection if you sell it - and redoing your own jury-rigged repairs costs more than getting an electrician in the first place. A failed inspection can also prevent you from consolidating debt or getting a second mortgage until the work is fixed, properly, by a licensed electrician.
It is much better to call a professional in the first place. They will even guarantee the work, so you get repairs later if something happens, which is a nice thing to have just in case.
It is entirely possible to save money while hiring a pro. Just look for experienced workers or companies who are licensed and have a reasonable hourly or flat rate. It will save you money and a lot of stress in the long run.
About the Author:
Stay safe and find a certified Philadelphia electrician to solve your electrical problems. There will be one local to you listed online at http://www.barryfisher-electric.com/.
0 comments:
Post a Comment