Why DIY Electrical Work is a Bad Idea

If you’re working on a renovation or other DIY project, you might be tempted to complete a small electrical task yourself. However, it’s important to realise that all electrical work must be completed by a fully qualified and licenced electrician, no matter how small the job may be. This isn’t just to protect yourself, but to protect others as well. It also ensures the job will be completed to the highest standard. To learn of more reasons why DIY electrical work is a bad idea, read on.

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Risk of Fire

When attempting to carry out your own electrical work, the chance of something going wrong is very high, leading to the risk of fire. All it takes is one wire that’s not connected properly to create a short that could lead to a fire in your home. To minimise the chance of fire, it’s important to get all electrical work done by a professional electrician.

Risk of Electrocution

In addition to a high risk of fire, doing your own electrical work also comes with the risk of electrocution. A proper electrician will know how to safely work with dangerous electrical components to avoid electrocution, but it's likely that your own knowledge in this area is lacking. To avoid becoming a statistic, you must hire an electrician who can get the job done safely. Even if it's an urgent job, you can call on an emergency electrician who can attend at short notice so you don't have to take a risk.

Code Violations

Another downside of doing your own electrical work is the risk of completing work that violates code. Many electrical works in Melbourne require certificates to be provided by a licenced electrician. If this certificate isn't provided, you could run into problems when it comes time to selling your house or trying to claim on your house insurance. The last thing you want is for your house to burn down due to faulty wiring and for your insurance company not to pay out due to the electrical work having not been done professionally.

Costly Repairs

The irony of DIY electrical work is that people often attempt it to save money, but in the long term, it can actually end up costing you a lot more money. If you make a mistake, you could need the services of an emergency electrician to provide emergency repairs – and these repairs will not come cheap. If you want to save money, the best option is to hire an electrician right from the get-go.

Puts Everyone at Risk

Finally, the biggest reason why DIY electrical work shouldn't be attempted is due to the risk it poses not just to you, but to everyone around you. Faulty wiring can lead to electrocution for anyone who touches it, which puts everyone in your household at risk. If you want to keep both yourself and your family safe, it's best to keep the emergency work for a professional electrician who knows exactly what they're doing.