A surge in online DIY tutorials has made it easier than ever for homeowners to do all sorts of jobs around their homes. In addition to sometimes being cost-effective, there’s a level of satisfaction that goes along with being able to proclaim that you’ve done something yourself.
However, not all repairs or installations should be turned into DIY tasks. It’s one thing to change a valve or washer on a dripping tap but a whole different kettle of fish when you need an electric installation. For this reason, many homeowners prefer to enlist the services of the electricians Melbourne locals trust for various electrical jobs.
Avoid Shortcuts and DIY Experiments
When it comes to doing electrical work around your home, it’s important to keep in mind that there are serious risks involved that make trying to save a few extra dollars seem nonsensical. Our team of skilled experts have compiled a few of the top reasons why you should avoid doing DIY electrical work yourself.
1. Expert Experience
Unlike many other jobs around your home, making a mistake in your electrical repair can result in injury, a home fire or even worse, a fatality. That said, the top reason to always hire a licensed electrician is the expertise you get. A certified electrician will be able to assess the situation and recommend the safest and most effective repair for the problem.
They will also have the skills to distinguish between what needs to be repaired and which components need to be completely replaced. Once these recommendations have been made, they can perform the new repair or installation without potentially overloading circuits or creating problems with other wiring.
2. Access to Quality Materials
For every quality component or spare part on the market, there are a hundred cheaper versions that profess to “do the same thing”. However, some of these parts are of inferior quality and don’t meet Australian standards. When this happens, your entire electrical system is placed at risk of damage, overloading or even burning out. A licensed electrician will ensure that only quality and standardised parts are used.
3. Ensures Legal Compliance
When it comes to electrical work, several legal codes and compliances need to be adhered to. These can vary in different areas and may also depend on certain components in your existing electrical system. As a DIY enthusiast, you may not be aware of these regulations. A certified electrician will not only know what’s required but will also know how that applies to any new repairs or installations.
4. Maintains or Even Increases Your Home Value
Your house wiring is a large determining factor when it comes to assessing your home’s overall value. Wiring that hasn’t been done by an accredited electrician means that it may need to be redone if you ever choose to sell your home. This means that you should always ensure that your home’s wiring is up to standard which includes any future component replacements.
5. Access to a Wide Selection of Services
Having a good working relationship with a licensed electrician means you will always know who to call when any of your components or appliances need to be repaired. Having regular checks will also help you identify any minor issues before they become major problems.
Some of the more popular services that your electrician can assist you with include the following:
- Power upgrades
- Lighting repairs or installations
- Smoke alarm installation, repairs and
- Switchboard repairs or upgrades
- Appliances installations
- Electrical emergencies
- Data cabling
- Fan repairs and installations
- TV and sound systems installations
- Safety checks on electrical connections and components
6. Avoids Potential Fire Hazards
Wiring or electrical connections that have been done by an untrained person can put you at risk of electrocution when you’re using anything in your home. This is often the case when it comes to oven installations as they have higher levels of voltage.
DIY cabling or wiring may see certain wires exposed or not installed correctly. This creates a fire hazard and can result in a potential electrical fire. A certified electrician will ensure that all wiring is not installed correctly but also secured out of sight.
7. Reduces Potential Future Costs
One of the key reasons many people opt to try their hand at DIY is because someone told them that “doing it yourself is cheaper”. Keep in mind that a faulty wiring connection will not only damage that particular outlet but can cause a short circuit throughout several other components. This means that you will end up replacing more than one component or even the whole circuit if something goes wrong. A certified electrician will ensure that this doesn’t happen.
Final Thoughts
While we encourage your weekend DIY jobs that get you off the couch, we highly recommend that you leave the electrical aspects to a licensed electrician. This will give you peace of mind that your wiring, cabling and electrical components are installed correctly and safely!