We love a good do-it-yourselfer. Plenty of jobs around the house are worth tackling on your own. Electrical work is a little different, though. When it goes wrong, it can mean a shock, a fire, or a problem hiding in the wall for years before it shows up.
Things you can usually handle
- Changing a light bulb
- Resetting a tripped breaker once
- Pressing the test and reset buttons on a GFCI outlet
- Plugging in a lamp timer or a surge protector
If a breaker trips again right after you reset it, leave it off and call an electrician. That’s the breaker doing its job and telling you something’s wrong.
Jobs to leave to a licensed electrician
Anything inside your panel. Even with the main breaker off, parts of your panel can still be live. This one’s not worth the risk.
Adding new circuits or outlets. Running new wiring means making sure the circuit can handle the load, the wire is the right size, and everything’s protected the way it should be.
Installing big appliances. EV chargers, hot tubs, electric water heaters, and other large equipment need dedicated circuits sized just right.
Outdoor and wet areas. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. Outdoor outlets, pool and spa wiring, and anything near water need the right protection.
Aluminum wiring. If your home has aluminum wiring, making connections the wrong way can cause overheating.
Anything that needs a permit. Many electrical jobs require a permit and inspection by your city. A licensed electrician knows what’s required and gets it done right the first time.
Why it matters
A bad connection can work fine for months before it overheats. Do-it-yourself wiring can also cause headaches down the road when you sell your home or file an insurance claim. And honestly, a lot of the fix-it calls we get started out as a weekend project.
Not sure if it’s a DIY job?
Give us a call and ask. We’ll tell you straight whether it’s something you can handle or something you’d want us to take care of.