When dealing with electrical work for your business or home, figuring out whether or not you should do it yourself or hire a professional electrician is the first obstacle you must address. Electrical jobs can sound simple, especially if you are a tool-sharp, but even little mistakes can lead to considerable issues. There are specific electrical tasks you can tackle yourself; for others, it would be wise to seek professional assistance. This article will detail what electrical tasks you can attempt, what you should leave to the experts, and how to tell the difference.
When DIY is Safe and Practical
Simple Switch or Outlet Covers
Replacing old or cracked switch covers or socket faceplates is a simple DIY project. It requires essential tools, like a screwdriver, and presents minimal risk. First, turn off the primary power supply from the fuse box before you begin. Swapping switch or outlet covers yourself is easy and safe when you follow this precaution.
Replacing Light Bulbs or Fixtures
Replacing bulbs is a no-brainer, but what about simple light fixtures? Replacing a standard ceiling pendant or wall-mounted fixture can be easy if you confidently approach the task and follow best practices. Ensure you first isolate the circuit you will work on. Stop and call a pro if you spot any complicated wiring or doubt your ability to get the job done.
Resetting Circuit Breakers
Should your circuit breaker trip, you can reset it with relative ease. In practice, that typically means turning the breaker off and back on. If it trips again, it indicates a more serious electrical issue. When this happens, you should stop and contact an electrician to review things.
Installing Basic Appliances
Plugging in and setting up small appliances doesn’t typically require professional assistance. But more prominent appliances—particularly those you need to wire directly—should be professionally installed every time.
When Professional Help is Necessary
Wiring and Rewiring
A qualified electrician should always conduct wiring and rewiring tasks. They aren’t just complex; they can be deadly when completed incorrectly. Errors can result in electrical shocks, fires, or irreversible property damage. Compared to commercial premises or older homes, rewiring can be less tedious when moving into a newer property. Nonetheless, to maintain safety at all times, it’s best to leverage a professional inspection from an electrician in Howick when rewiring your property for the best outcomes.
Adding or Moving Sockets
Adding additional sockets or moving existing ones means wiring directly into the building’s primary wall circuits. While this may seem simple, New Zealand has stringent building regulations regarding the placement and installation of sockets. Furthermore, property owners who want to install a new circuit should use the services of a qualified electrician to ensure they complete the job compliantly and safely.
Electrical Panel Upgrades
Your electrical panel is the central electricity hub for your entire building. Upgrading or replacing it requires expert attention to detail and know-how. Even minor mistakes can have profound safety implications. Panels can overload and create a fire hazard if not appropriately mounted and installed. In such unfortunate circumstances, your insurance service provider may not cover any damages inflicted on your property.
Outdoor Electrical Work
Outdoor electrical installations—like garden lighting, security lights, or power sockets—must be waterproof and appropriately grounded. A professional electrician knows what to do and how to do it precisely. Doing this yourself can lead to potential hazards, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Faulty or Flickering Lights
If you’ve changed your property’s bulbs and swapped fixtures, but the lights still flicker or dim when they shouldn’t, it might be time to call a professional. These are often persistent symptoms of a more prominent problem, such as overloaded circuits or damaged wiring. Neglecting them could lead to fire hazards or notable electrical damage.
Electric Shocks or Sparks
Being at the receiving end of a mild electrical current or seeing sparks shoot out of power outlets is a red flag you mustn’t ignore. Even a minor jolt can imply that there’s something dangerously wrong. Never ignore these events when they occur—call an electrician immediately as sparks indicate loose or exposed wiring. This faulty setup can turn into a fire at any given moment.
Why Businesses Need Professional Help
Running a business also means more responsibilities, mainly involving electrical work. It’s not just your safety that’s at risk — the safety of employees, customers, and visitors is also on the line. Any company operating in New Zealand must abide by strict health and safety regulations and employ frequent electrical inspections to ensure the safety of all.
Making these decisions yourself or putting them in the hands of others not qualified to do this work can potentially lead to failed inspections and insurance roadblocks. If anything goes awry, you are entirely responsible and liable. A registered electrician is well-versed in these regulations and can carry out all work according to current New Zealand best practices and standards.
How to Select a Qualified Electrical Contractor
Choosing an electrician with the ideal qualifications and experience is essential when determining that professional help is warranted. Here’s how to make sure you’re hiring someone trustworthy:
Education and Certifications:
Always employ electricians individually registered with a recognised body, such as NICEIC or ELECSA, as this ensures they have the necessary training, knowledge, and skills to perform the work safely.
References and Reviews:
Ask other local businesses for references and browse online reviews. Recommendations are helpful and will help you avoid substandard work.
Insurance:
A reputable electrician must have public liability insurance, which protects them and their business from financial losses and unforeseen circumstances.
Transparent Pricing:
A reputable electrician will furnish precise quotes for their work upfront. Take your business elsewhere if an electrician refuses to provide job specifics or pricing.
Written Guarantee:
Professionals typically guarantee their work, meaning they’ll fix it at no additional cost to you if something goes wrong.
Safety Over Cost: Why Hiring a Professional is Cheaper
Many business owners look to do things themselves to save money, and electrical tasks often fall under this list. However, this logic can backfire. A botched DIY electrical job can initially appear cheaper, but it will inevitably lead to expensive repairs, fines, insurance claim disputes, or worse, unfortunate accidents or fires.
A professional electrician will do the job right the first time, according to building safety code norms and insurance guidelines or stipulations. More importantly, the peace of mind you gain when a trained expert completes an electrical task or job is worth more than any immediate savings.
Final Thoughts
If you consider yourself a handy person with tools, doing your electrical work around the house or office can be tempting. But knowing the limits of how far you can push your luck is more important. There’s minimal harm when you aim to fix simple jobs like replacing switch covers or small fixtures. Still, it would behove you to let a qualified electrician handle more complex undertakings like wiring, panel upgrades, outdoor electrics, and fault finding. Cutting corners is never worth the risk to your physical safety or that of your property.
