Electrician: When Do You Need To Hire One?

So you’ve decided to do some home improvements. You want to repaint one room, add a ceiling fan to another and possibly replace that broken light switch while you’re at it. You’ve already had electrical experience; you did change out the garbage disposal last year not to mention the countless bulbs that you’ve had to exchange throughout the years. While most of these things are simple for the do-it-yourself type, there are times when a professional touch is needed and time to call in the electrician.

For the simple things, like changing out a light bulb, you don’t have to have an experienced hand, but when do you know that your problem needs a professional’s care? You certainly didn’t need an electrician to wire in that new disposal did you? So how do you know when it is really necessary?

The first rule of thumb is if the project is simply something that is outside your comfort zone then it’s time to call in the professionals. Improper electrical installations are serious fire hazards. For something as complicated as that, you want to be sure to call a certified electrician to take care of the problem. These highly qualified workers have taken extra classes and tests to gain their specialized skill. They can ensure that your home is up to code, a must assure this if you ever wish to sell your home and have it pass inspections.

If you are planning to replace a light fixture you might not have to have someone come in. If you are planning on putting in an entirely new light fixture in a spot that has never had a light fixture, then you might want to consider professional help. An electrician can make sure the correct grade of wire is used so that you don’t have to worry about the fixture. He can also ensure that it’s wired into the breaker correctly and that the switch works appropriately.

Of course if you are planning on adding an addition to your home, a professional electrician is a must to ensure that the job is done correctly. You don’t want to worry about things not meeting code when the building inspector comes out to ensure that the addition is livable.

Hiring a professional electrician might not seem like a must for the small things around the house, but should be considered for the bigger projects you are taking on.