There are plenty of benefits to doing your own electrical work. You can save money, complete the project on your timeline, and maybe learn something new that you enjoy. At the same time, the electrician profession exists because some jobs can get very complicated and require skills that take years to learn. Working with electricity is extremely dangerous as well. This article will help you determine when it’s best to pick up the phone and call an electrician.
When the Project Requires Permit and Inspectors
Painting your living room only involves you, some paint, and an afternoon. When the project is complete, you sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Nobody stops by afterward to check up on your work. No inspectors need to approve the trim work around your windows. The same is not true for electrical work. If you’re going to do some homeowner electrical work the right way, you often need to pull permits and have inspectors visit. The approval process can be an added level of frustration. When you hire an experienced electrician, they’ll handle the permits and make sure it’s approved.
Electrical Work Can be Difficult
Compared to sanding drywall or digging up sewer pipes, electrical work can be considered “fun” and “clean.” However, few take on an electrical project because it is fun. When you compare electrical work to other things like playing with your kids, traveling, and eating out – running a 12/2 cable through a cobwebbed basement doesn’t seem so appealing. The reality is electrical work can be a labor-intensive dirty job that presents unknown challenges.
Electricians Know a Lot About Electric Work
People hire experts because they can do things in an efficient way and get it done safely. Flying commercial jets, corporate litigation, repairing Porches. There’s simply not enough time in the day to be an expert on everything. When you get halfway through a job and hit a roadblock, you’re going to want the help of an expert. You may know 92% of electrical work, but it’s the 8% that can hurt you. Unless you’re 100% confident and willing to take on the risks, hire an electrician.
Electric Work is Dangerous
Home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, nearly 500 deaths, and more than 1,400 injuries. 200 people die annually from household electrocutions. Statistically, driving a car is more dangerous, however, most people don’t do their own electrical work because they know the dangers. For those that are trained properly and follow the guidelines, electric work is not too dangerous. The problem is unless you’re an electrician, you haven’t had the proper training.
Ready to Hire an Omaha Electrician?
Give us a call if you have a specific electrical project you need help with or a quote for. If you have an older house and are worried about the possibility of an electrical fire from faulty wiring, call us and schedule an inspection.
Omaha – 402-731-1220
Lincoln – 402-464-4333