When it comes to your home, there are only a few things you use more than electricity. So when a problem arises with your electrical system, it can be really frustrating and inconvenient. But instead of calling a licensed electrician, which is the best way to handle an electrical problem, many opt to hire unqualified individuals who offer cheap services. Some are also tempted to try to fix the problem by themselves.
However, DIY and hiring an unlicenased individual to perform any electrical job can have many serious consequences. For one, you are putting your and your family’s safety on the line. See, electricity is very dangerous and one mistake, even a small one, can lead to electric shock, physical burns, fire, and death.
Aside from your safety, here are other reasons why you should always opt for a licensed electrician to handle your electrical problems:
1. It is the Law
Hiring a licensed electrician for any electrical work is your only legal option. According to NSW law, an individual needs to secure a license before installing, repairing, removing, altering, or adding to an electrical installation. This is regardless of the cost of the work or whether it’s performed in commercial, industrial, or residential properties.
Once caught doing electrical work without a license, you could end up paying hefty fines and penalties. You may even be prosecuted and face jail time if you or another person get hurt due to improper electrical work. So to avoid these types of issues, best to hire a licensed electrician for any electrical job.
2. Failed Inspections
If you are planning to sell your house in the future, performing DIY electrical work or hiring an unlicensed individual may cost you – a lot. Any repairs done will be discovered by a buyer’s home inspector or city inspector during the point of sale. If there are repairs done without a permit, this will be exposed and further inspected, which means more unnecessary expenses for you.
Additionally, the buyer’s home inspector will also alert the buyer for any improper electrical work – which could cost you the sale of your home. If the violations and lack of permits are discovered by the buyer while the sale is still under contract, you can face heavy fines and be forced to pay for any faulty electrical work. On the other hand, if a violation is discovered after the sale, then the buyer can take legal action against you.
3. Save Time and Money
Most people are tempted to DIY or hire an unlicensed electrician to save money. But this isn’t true. DIY or hiring an unlicensed person for the job can result only in two things: a good job or a bad one. If it’s the latter, then you’ll need to have the same job done twice. Meaning, you’ll be paying double and spend more time on the project. On the other hand, licensed electricians can get the job done right the first time. Some, like Electrician To The Rescue, even offer lifetime guaranteed work where if anything goes wrong with their work, they’ll come back and fix it for free. So you don’t have to worry about extra and other unnecessary expenses.
4. Skills and Expertise
If a person has an electrical license, it means he has gone through proper training to acquire all the skills, knowledge, and expertise to handle any electrical issue. This also means that he has a lesser chance to make mistakes as opposed to someone just watching DIY videos online. Furthermore, having a license is an assurance that his work will be compliant with codes and safety protocols.
5. Fewer Risks
Keep in mind that you won’t immediately notice the mistakes done in your electrical system, and faults can go undetected for years. They can take time before they become apparent, and usually, it’ll be too late. It might have already caused irreparable damages to your system or lead to an accident like fire or shocks.
To significantly reduce these risks, you should only hire a licensed electrician. This is a professional that can provide you peace of mind, quality work, and ensure you and your family’s safety through electrical excellence.
