As a home or business owner, you’ve likely watched all kinds of DIY videos and projects online.
And perhaps you’re feeling ready to fix all the little electrical issues in your home yourself.
Or maybe you have a cousin competent in electric work. Or a friend has recommended someone who can do the job at mates’ rates.
Sure, you can save money, which is one of the biggest perks of a DIY project.
It’s more flexible than calling and waiting for an electrician, and you get to call the shots.
But at what cost – and not just the monetary kind?
For electrical issues of any kind, you really need to hire a professional licensed electrician.
And not just any ‘electrician’. You need to hire a licensed electrician. In fact, only qualified, licensed electricians can legally use the “electrician” job title.
Having a license allows an electrician to do electrical installation jobs in Australia.
An electrician with a license has insurance; they are able to protect themselves from accident liability.
It’s always a good idea to ask about insurance coverage before allowing anyone to work on your premises.
You can’t take chances with electricity. A minor fault today can mean major problems tomorrow.
Here are five very good reasons why you need to hire a licensed electrician:
This is the most important reason why you should hire a licensed electrician; safety is the highest priority.
Electricity is dangerous. A professional will know exactly what precautions to take so they are safe while working.
A professional will put safety first. They will not pose a safety threat to you or future users of the building.
A professional will also ensure that you meet local and federal building codes in your area. Without meeting safety codes, your home poses a safety risk and presents problems when trying to sell down the road.
Hiring a professional ensures you do the job right the first time. It prevents you from redoing work for failing to meet safety standards.
Anyone who does electrical work needs to have a valid electrician’s license by law. If you’re an employer, ensure you are up to date with laws governing electrical work.
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Jobs involving electricity need the services of a licensed electrician. They have the training needed to follow state, local, and national safety codes.
These safety codes govern standards of safe installation, maintenance, and operation of electrical systems. Electricians must follow strict procedures as a matter of practice – to protect their license.
Some of the jobs an electrician will do in the home include:
The only time a licensed electrician is not needed is when plugging in and regularly using an appliance. If your electrical systems need fixing, a licensed electrician must do the job.
For homeowners’ safety, all electrical work should be the job of a licensed contractor.
Unlicensed electrical work is illegal and unsafe.
Many people think they can handle a DIY electrical project if they just go slow and follow instructional videos. However, electrical systems are extremely complex and dangerous, and people often run into problems because they don’t know what they’re doing.
Many DIY projects become messy and complicated, and you end up spending more than you’d originally expected. It is important to know electrical projects are much more complex than they appear. It doesn’t take long for a DIY experience to get out of hand.
Bosworth Company notes that you could face serious problems later if you DIY. Also, you’re taking a huge risk by not receiving a certificate of compliance from a licensed electrician.
Problems will arise when you sell your house or if an accident caused by electrical work occurs.
Hiring a Licensed Electrician will ensure the job gets done once and to a high standard. This prevents other costs and accidents that could emerge from DIY mistakes.
Apart from being costly, it is also illegal not to hire a licensed electrician or to carry out electrical work yourself.
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Before hiring an electrician, ask to see their license. Carrying a current electrician's license is your best assurance that they will do the job right.
Get more knowledge about trade licensing to ensure you have the necessary information when getting quotes.
A reputable electrician will provide you with their license. This also prevents uninsured electricians from harming the reputation of professional electricians.
Gain long-term value when working with Licenced Electricians:
When it comes to electrical work, the “D” in DIY should stand for “Danger”. By doing amateur work, you’re putting yourself, your family, and your property in danger.
When you need some electrical work completed, do yourself a favour and hire a licensed electrician to do it right.
A licensed electrician protects you from electrical issues and keeps your home electricals functioning properly.
Note that a contractor’s license does not grant the authority to carry out electrical work.
An electrician must hold a current Electrical Licence from the relevant issuing authority. This enables them to install, maintain, and replace electrical wiring.
To achieve safe results the first time, get an experienced and reliable licensed electrician.