There are times when you need some electrical work done in your home but don’t want to call an electrician to get it done. What should be done in such a situation? If you have the basic know-how of electrical work, you may want to get things done yourself, to save both time and money. Though, before getting the work done by yourself, you should know if it’s legal.
The legality of the work done depends on the nature of the work. The city or the country code lays out the nature of different electric works and defines them as legal or illegal to be done by homeowners themselves. In some cases, you may have to obtain a permit to do a particular work yourself.
Also, we strongly recommend that you should understand the risk of doing electrical work yourself. If located in Plymouth, you can seek professional help from goodwinelectrical.com. It is an electrical compant in Plymouth with years of experience in the domain. This will also give you the understanding to decide whether or not you need professional help.
Know The Electrical Tasks That You Can Do Yourself
If the electrical work that needs to be done at your home is small and doesn’t require the help of a professional, it can be classified as DIY. Having said that, if there is no need to change the electrical panel, and only minor wirings are required, it is legal for the homeowner to do it themselves. Though even minor electrical tasks have some level of complexity and based on the complexities, it can be illegal for DIY.
For instance, you will not have to take a permit for minor electric-related tasks that include changing or fixing the fuse, switch, appearance or light. Furthermore, if your electrical system requires some basic maintenance, then also it doesn’t require the help of a professional. Additionally, replacing the old wiring can be done by the homeowners themselves.
Now that you have a rough idea of the tasks that you can do yourself, you can classify the tasks as DIY or not. Though, you will need help from a professional electrician or will need a DIY permit when there is a need to install new wiring. Additionally, if there is a requirement for a new outlet or a security system.
You should remember that the exemptions of DIY electric tasks and the legality of the same depending on the region. They differ from a country or city. Hence, you should first contact a relevant department to ensure that the electrical work doesn’t require a licensed professional.
Seeking Approval For Electric Work
Before you get started with any kind of electricity-related task at your home, you should check with the concerned government. It is the safest method of proceeding further. You should also figure out the step-by-step process that needs to be followed. This will also give you an idea of the electrical tasks that are prohibited to be carried out by homeowners.
You will find detailed information about it on the government’s website of that particular city or county, under the licenses section. The credentials required by a homeowner usually include the permit by the homeowners, the permit of the homestead, or the electrical permit.
Reasons Why Homeowners Want To Do The Work Themselves
There are several reasons why a homeowner wants to do the electrical work by themselves. Let us go over a few of them to help you decide better.
- Professional Services Are Expensive: If you are looking forward to saving money on the remodelling expenses of your home, the first aspect that comes to your mind is DIY electrical tasks. Undoubtedly, skilled electricians charge an enormous amount of money to get the task done, but due to legal issues, you cannot help but hire them.
- Scarce Supply Of Electricians: When you have to install sidings and replace the traditional windows, you will find a lot of people. On the contrary, when it comes to electricity-related tasks, the supply of professionals is less. During emergencies, it often becomes difficult to find an electrician.
- Electricity Work Requires Logic: Electricity-related tasks don’t have anything squishy about them. The entire concept is based on the rules that are already tried and tested and very logical at the same time. Homeowners have access to the tables and books for any guidance and if they notice that something is not working, there are some solid reasons behind it.
As a matter of fact, as a homeowner, you should not and also can not improve the electrical work. Having said that, if you believe in following rules, such tasks will be your cup of tea, otherwise not.
When Should You Call For Professionals?
As we saw that not electricity-related tasks can be done by the homeowners themselves, and some will require professional help. Furthermore, even if you are aware of the steps of carrying out a particular task, if it is not legal, you cannot do that without a license. Having said that, there are times when you will need expert help to ensure the best results.
It is the job of professionals and they do it every day. A few jobs require a steep learning curve and hence, the homeowners are not required to touch them without permission.
Risks of DIY Electricity Tasks?
Besides the benefits of DIY electricity work, they are accompanied by some risks as well. Some of the risks associated with bad wiring include power surges, fires and in extreme cases deaths as well. This is why the government has imposed restrictions on DIY electrical tasks. Hence, it is highly recommended that you should call for electricians, when you are unsure and not comfortable with electrical work.
Safety first is what you should abide by. You should call for expert help in the first place so that you are sure about your safety and that of your family.
The Bottom Line
No denying that you will save a few dollars by not opting for professional help, but the risks associated with it are immeasurable. Risking your life or of someone with who you live is not worth saving some money. If you are not sure about the electrical tasks, seek professional help and don’t break the law.
