Is it smart to fix electrical problems myself?

Electrical problems can be complicated and they can also be expensive to repair. Instead of calling a commercial electrician, many people are tempted to do their own repairs in hopes that it will save them a buck or two. 

However, electrical problems are one of the things you should never attempt to do on your own. DIY electrical work can be dangerous as it can start fires and even ruin the wiring of your home. 

This guide will cover why you shouldn’t ever fix electrical problems by yourself and give you advice on why you need to hire a licensed electrical contractor. 

Reasons You Should Never Fix Electrical Problems By Yourself 

Tempted to do your own electrical work in your home? Here are the top reasons why electrical work should never be DIY. 

Risky For Your Health 

When you do electrical work by yourself without experience, you put your health at risk as well as the lives of those around you. If you live with other people in the home, they are all at risk for fires and other problems that can be caused by bad electrical work. 

You also risk getting electrocuted if you connect the wires poorly or in the wrong way. If you even touch a wire in a certain way, you can get electrocuted. This is serious as it can cause death or it can cause serious burns on the skin. 

When electricians go to school, they learn how to deal with circuits and wires so they do not risk getting burned or burning those around them. 

Fire Hazard 

House fires are unfortunately very common and many of them are caused by bad electrical work. House fires are extremely dangerous because they can cause death and they can cause the entire home to have to be repaired or even torn down and built back. 

Fires in homes can also happen when there is bad wiring or an unqualified electrician comes and does poor work. When the wiring is bad, it can cause the entire electrical system to overheat and cause a fire within the home. 

This is why if you think your home has a bad wire connection, you need to begin repair work right away. Even if you think you know your circuits and electrical panel better than anyone else, you still need to call a professional and let them come and observe the issue. 

If you have smoking outlets or you smell something burning from inside the home, make sure you call an electrician and tell them you need help right away. 

More Expensive Repairs Later 

Most people choose to do DIY work when it comes to electrical repairs because they want to save money. You might save money for the time being, but if you miss anything, the electrician you call will have to fix the original problem and the new problem you might have caused. 

If you do more harm than good, you will be stuck paying for far more costly repairs and you will find that you definitely did not save any money. 

Legal Issues

In most states, you have to have a permit or a license before you can begin electrical repairs. If someone finds out that you are working on the electricity without a permit, you can be in serious trouble and face fines. 

If someone gets injured because of the electrical work you did, you can also be found liable for their injuries and you can even be sued for damages and money. 

This can be extremely costly and it can ruin your reputation making it hard for you to find a job. 

Always call a professional electrician who knows what they are doing to help you from falling into legal trouble. 

Electrical Inspections Become a Problem 

Your home will need to have regular electrical inspections to ensure that everything is working smoothly. These inspections are a must before you sell your home. If you do electrical work yourself and do not do it correctly, you will most likely fail the inspection and then your home cannot be sold. 

Failed inspections also come with fines and other issues. Even if you did the electrical work well, if someone finds out you did it without a permit, you can be fined and the work might have to be repaired to make sure it matches what a licensed professional would do. 

Insurance Problems 

If your home has damage or experiences a fire because of bad electrical work, your insurance company will most likely not pay for these repairs and you will have to pay them out of pocket. When insurance denies your claim, they can also cancel your contract which means you no longer have insurance and you will have to pay a new premium.

Other Dangers 

There are really endless dangers when it comes to doing your own electrical work. Even if you think you have done a lot of DIY work and you know wires and circuits well, you never know when something might go wrong. 

You can also waste a lot of time doing your own electrical work because you are not sure what to do so everything will take longer. A skilled electrician can come into the home and fix a few things in an hour or less. 

There are many advantages to hiring a licensed electrician, but the main one is that you can keep yourself, your home, and your loved ones away from danger. 

The Bottom Line 

When you find that your home is having an electrical problem, you might be tempted to cut down on costs and do the work yourself. This might seem like a good way to save a buck or two, but it will probably end with you spending more money on repairs. 

You can also put your life at risk if you do the work poorly or if you touch a wire or a circuit in the wrong way.