While there are many projects safe to be tried as a DIY around the house, there’s no such thing as a basic electrical repair. Recent data from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission show that there are more than 400 electrocutions in our country each year.
That might not sound like a lot, but this number only includes reported fatalities. Prior to current regulations, which include installing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, nearly 800 people died annually from household electrocutions. The number is way down, but there is still a great risk of fire hazards, burns, and other injuries from taking on an electrical repair.
It Only Takes One Good Shock to Learn a Lesson
You have probably heard stories of homeowners with sparking light switches or electrical outlets who tried to investigate themselves only to discover the power of electricity in a very hands-on way. Your safety and that of your family should always be a top priority.
Anytime you are doing work around the house that requires permits to be pulled and inspectors to be called, you know it is time to hire a professional electrician. A professional electrician will have a much better understanding of local code enforcements and having a contractor listed as the one responsible for the electrical work will go a long way to getting approval from an inspector.
Beyond work that requires permitting, even the seemingly simplest electrical repairs can turn into a complex and time-consuming mess. The wiring inside many houses is out of date at best and totally antiquated at worst. Homeowners are bringing more and more power-hungry appliances into our homes for which the original electrical system was not designed.
Electrical Work is More Complex Than Connecting a Couple Wires
