Broken electrics can ruin your day, whether it’s all the lights going out or the oven not working, or it’s an electrical fault or an ongoing problem with old wiring. It’s tempting to get out your toolbox and give it a shot yourself – after all, you’ll save a few bucks and end up with fully functional electrics, right? While a little do-it-yourself can help in some circumstances, electrics is one area that the ordinary homeowner should avoid. Those safety movies about the risks of electrics that you were compelled to see in school are probably still fresh in your mind. Those rules still apply if you’re an adult, and the dangers of tampering with your electrical system are just as high

Why can’t I do it myself?

When it comes to the electrics in your house, whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or new to the whole toolbelt thing, you might want to put the pliers down and the hammer away. It’s one thing to tidy up your lawn and put up some shelves, but it’s quite another to deal with live electricity. Even if you turn off the power, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s simple to wreak thousands of dollars in damage. Here are a few reasons why doing DIY work without a sparkie is a no-no for your home:

It’s not worth the money you’ll save

You may save a little money by not hiring a professional electrician, but it will cost you twice as much by voiding your house insurance. If the worst happens and your house burns down, the insurance company will not pay you any money if they discover you’ve been playing with electricity.

Safety first

We’re not talking about the shoot-across-the-room electrocution seen in movies, but it is a possibility as well. Even if you are extremely cautious and switch off the power before starting work, you may be putting yourself and others in danger. If you aren’t a competent electrician, there’s a good possibility you’ll execute a shoddy patch-up job, which might lead to electrical fires and even electrocution of other family members. Nobody wants to live with it on their conscience.

It’s illegal

DIYing your electrics is illegal in some regions of Australia, believe it or not. And with good cause, based on what we’ve said thus far. If you don’t want to end up with a big fine, you should contact a qualified electrician to have the job done correctly the first time.

What if I can’t afford to hire a professional electrician?

In many cases, electrical work is less expensive than you anticipate. To save money, hire a trained electrician who can do the task much faster and detect the problem right away. Trial and error, on the other hand, might end up costing you significantly more. Hiring a residential electrician may have some upfront fees, but the end result and peace of mind will be well worth it.

What electrical work can I do on my own?

As a general rule, any electrical work in your house should be performed by a professional. What appears to be a quick and straightforward job can quickly become problematic if you aren’t trained and certified – and can lead to you exacerbating the situation. If in doubt, employ a sparkie — and even if you’re not in doubt, hire one.

What if I try to perform my own electrical work and it doesn’t work out?

Apart from the legality issue, if you’ve attempted to fix your own electrics and made a mess of it – or you’re concerned about the safety of your fix – always see a professional electrician as soon as possible. Many sparkies have seen a variety of creative cures to minor electrical faults; they’ll be able to set it right securely and swiftly, restoring order to the system. Bring in the professionals if you’re unsure. It’s a better price to pay than the alternative, which involves using dangerous electrics.

How can I find a home electrician?

Hiring an electrician is simple for everything from urgent work to flickering lights that have been on the to-do list for months. Domestic electricians, in particular, manage all areas of electrics for the normal home – this is the type of sparkie you should be on the lookout for. At Abba Electrical, we handle a wide range of residential electrician services, from emergencies to repairs to overhauls of old electrical systems. If you’re thinking about doing it yourself, lay down your tools and give us a call. We’d be delighted to assist you in making your electrics safe, secure, and properly and legally fixed.