Why You Shouldn’t DIY Any Electrical Work

We know DIY projects are all the rage these days. Painting, upcycling, flipping, and all sorts of other home improvement projects have become hobbies many people enjoy. Still, even with all the DIY YouTube channels, there are some jobs even the most skilled DIY-ers should leave to the professionals, especially electrical work!

As one of the leading companies for electrical repairs in Prince George and Terrace, BC, we have heard our fair share of DIY horror stories. As proud members of the community, Bryant Electric Ltd. cares about the safety of our friends and neighbors. Therefore, to help you avoid unnecessary risks, we have explained two major reasons why you shouldn’t DIY any electrical work.

1. Safety hazards
One of the most obvious reasons why electrical work should be left to professionals is due to safety hazards. It’s easy to take something we use daily for granted and not realize how hazardous it can be. Even with the best intentions and a handy electrician’s manual, attempting to wire something on your own could lead to disaster without sufficient skills. A serious problem involving bad wiring is electrical fires. Electricity, by nature, continually seeks to close a circuit. When wires don’t connect properly, they leave room for rogue electrical currents, sparking, and other negative reactions. Electrical shock can cause major injuries, electrical fires, damage to equipment, or even death. In some cases, minor electrical flaws can result in major catastrophes if you aren’t specially trained to work on wiring or electrical systems.

2. Financial implications
If you are not a qualified electrician, the chances of making even small mistakes are high. Some of the quick fixes might restore the current but lead to other problems. And usually, small electrical mistakes tend to cause big issues, and future implications will be costly to fix. A DIY project involves trial-and-error, which can be hazardous in electrical work and your home. Failure to understand the electrical circuit and wiring is dangerous in any electrical project. But, if avoidable mistakes are made, they could lead to property or equipment damage. Similarly, your insurance might not cover damages due to poor installation done by a non-qualified installer.

Do things right - Hire a professional
The main reason why you should hire a professional electrician is for your own safety, your family’s safety, and the safety of your house. Professional electricians pass through many hours of education, on-the-job training, and certification before earning their license. The certification process guarantees that professional electricians can deliver a high standard of work. Any regulated electrical work needs to be installed by these qualified and certified electricians. In some cases, depending on the type of electrical work needed, an electrical permit may be required, or an electrician with an FSR (Field Safety Representative) certification may be needed to oversee the work or pull a permit.

There are also situations where some electrical work can be completed in your own home as a homeowner. Depending on the type of work, you may require a homeowners permit and will need to follow the same rules and regulations as your electrical contractor for your area. But even for this kind of work, we recommend working with professional electrical contractors. This is because they have the knowledge and tools to perform the electrical work safely and to code.

The cost of hiring a professional electrician depends on the region and type of work being done. Contact your local contractor for rates. Most experts will be able to provide you with no-cost quotes, so feel free to ask around for estimates.

If you are looking for an electrician in Prince George and Terrace, BC, then reach out to us at Bryant Electric Ltd. After working for numerous electrical contractors in Prince George over the years, Glen decided to branch out on his own, and in 1960, he started Bryant Electric Ltd, working in both residential and smaller commercial projects. Under his guidance, we developed new strategies, grew the company to new heights, and expanded our services and service area, specializing in commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential electrical work. After opening our Terrace branch, we have become the number one electrical contracting company for both large and small projects serving Prince George, Terrace, and surrounding areas.

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