When DIY Electrical Projects Cross the Line Into Dangerous Territory

There is a deep sense of accomplishment that comes from doing home projects yourself. Hanging pictures, painting a room, and doing some plumbing (hopefully minor), are the sorts of things that it feels good to solve for yourself. Electrical work, however, can transform that confidence into dangerous overconfidence.

Most homeowners probably realize that messing with the main electrical panel is not something to attempt, but determining the difference between okay DIY chores, and maybe a mistake that could be deadly, is not always obvious. Replacing a light switch may seem like a simple enough task, but a poorly considered fix could lead to a fire waiting to happen.

What We Think of as Simple, is Not So Simple

It’s changing a light switch right? Shut the power off to the fixture, take the old switch out, connect the wiring into the new fixture. What could be easier?

Well, maybe it depends on what lies behind the switch plate. Many homeowners have been caught off guard with multiple circuits running through a junction box or a previous attempt at DIY connections was deemed unsafe. Once you can’t find the power behind the switch and run into wire nuts or grounding, you have immediately juggled in more important issues and now you require an electrical base to fix a problem.

The same applies to doing an outlet and adding a new circuit. Adding a new outlet may seem basic, but once you account for the electrical load capacity, correct wiring gauge, GFCI compliance, and all those important parts of electrical safety, your “simple” outlet could be an overloaded circuit or cause something much worse. Many families learn the hard way.

When Code Compliance Is Really Important

This is where it becomes very involved – because electrical code exists for a reason, and it is always changing. What was an acceptable “job” twenty years ago can now be a problem or even illegal.

Modern homes require GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, and external usages. However, older homes do not and homeowners do their own electrical work to save a buck and/or don’t understand why these safety devices are used, which increases the possibility of electrocution in a wet area, in conjunction with electricity.

Another code requirement that homeowners performing electrical work on their own without a permit disregard or do not install correctly are arc fault circuit interrupters. Arc fault circuit interrupters are safety devices created to stop electrical fires caused by damaged electrical lines. You can’t be careful enough – install correctly to make this code requirement useful. Make a mistake here, and it goes beyond violating code, it can be deadly.

The Insurance and Legal Problems

Most homeowners do not begin to think about permits and inspections, until they have a problem. Doing electrical work without the right permits has its own repercussions, and they can be the most serious in the future.

Homeowners insurance companies often deny claims for electrical fires if the work was not completed by licensed electricians like AJD Electrical Solutions, to current code. Also, many families have found out too late that their homeowner’s insurance was completely useless, because the work they completed violated their homeowner’s insurance.

If you try to sell a house that has a prior owner perform electrical work without obtaining a permit, it creates an additional issue. When a home inspector finds issues, buyers typically ask for expensive modifications to be made before closing the sale of the home. Homeowners, who thought they were saving money by doing it themselves, end up spending very large amounts of money to correct their fails before they can sell the home.

Know Your Limits

A smart do-it-yourselfer knows where their skills should end. Most people can easily replace a broken outlet cover or light bulb, but given the location or difficulty of the project, a reasonably competent person should recognize the need to call in a professional when working on circuit breakers or other taxing projects where they are working on anything more than a simple switch or receptacle.

Whenever working on a panel use a licensed electrician. The main electric panel has enough electricity to kill someone, and mistakes made at the panel can destroy the electrical system. Although adding a circuit breaker may seem simple and there are videos on YouTube to assist a homeowner in getting it done, an experienced HVAC tech or electrician who is used to proper electrical installations understands load calcs & installation requirements.

Outside work presents its own challenges as well. Water management, proper grounding, & underground wiring represent a list of required skill sets that many homeowners would not typically possess today. If the homeowner performs electrical work improperly and something goes wrong, that could also create an electrocution hazard that could last for years.

Finding Professional Help

When the project goes beyond basic maintenance tasks, paying the extra money, of a licensed electrician is well worth it, even the long line. Licensed electricians are knowledgeable in current codes, have the proper insurance, and meet permit requirements that DIY projects typically bypass.

For homeowners with qualified electrical contractors in the area, generous services such as will be able to safely complete electrical installations and repairs, based on their years of working safely in the field. Furthermore, electricians will also warranty their work, which is not often found with a DIY installation.

The key point is being honest with themselves as to what they can do safely. Things like changing switches and outlets could possibly be done by a person with some electrical background, but it’s best to turn any project related to adding circuits, panels, or addressing code compliance to professionals.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Electrical fires represent billions of dollars worth of property damage each year. Unfortunately, many of these fires may have started with faulty DIY electrical work. In addition to the fires many people do get electrocuted when attempting to work with home electrical.

Moreover, people’s biggest concern should really be good electrical work, even if it is not life-threatening. Most incorrectly installed electrical work will require professional bulls to completely redo what the homeowner failed to get right, meaning that many homeowners end up paying for an installation twice.

Therefore, working with licensed electricians is peace-of-mind availability that the extra cost may well be worth it. Electricians pull proper permits, and their insurance guarantees work meets safety standards. In working with electricity in and around the home, having a professional is a better option, compared to risk.

DIY projects typically have their place, but respectable electrical work is in a class of its own. Electrical work is dangerous, however, and can be very complicated. Knowing when it is better to put aside the wire strippers, and reach for the cellphone to call a licensed electrician is probably the smartest decision a homeowner could make.