Is DIY Electrical Work a Shortcut to Disaster?
July 26, 2024 - Emily Newton
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As many households look for creative ways to cope with rising living costs, some become interested in DIY electrical work. They believe that doing so could help them get necessary jobs done for less and possibly faster than hiring someone. What should someone consider before taking this approach?
Can I Do My Own Electrical Work? It Depends
Many people take pride in performing home improvements and customizing their abodes to make them more comfortable and convenient. Some of those changes are relatively simple, such as replacing a conventional light bulb with one that has connectivity features. However, occupants may eventually decide they want to make more extensive upgrades. Proceeding with them is more complex than some people may expect.
Such activities’ legality varies by state, municipality and country. Additionally, even when the appropriate laws say owner-occupiers can engage in DIY electrical work, they may require people to get temporary permits. Sometimes, receiving those requires passing a test first.
Anyone who wants to do electrical work themselves should first investigate the specifics associated with where they live. They should also be aware that proceeding without permission could affect more than expected.
For example, Australian residents who do electrical work in their homes risk voiding their insurance policies. Ireland categorizes specific types of electrical work as “restricted,” but the relevant list is longer than people might expect. For example, any tasks requiring fixed products — whether lights or smart thermostats — fall under the restricted category. People who decide to proceed anyway face jail time and fines.
Homeowners Have Freedoms Renters Lack
Some people initially become interested in DIY electrical work after realizing specific improvements could help them live more sustainably and save money. However, an important consideration is whether someone owns or rents their home. Someone in the latter case may have less leeway than anticipated, even if interested in portable items.
One renter became open to spending $5,000 on a portable heat pump after an energy audit showed significant inefficiencies. However, the investigation revealed no quick fixes and that the tenant would need to renovate the property. Her landlord did not agree, and she ultimately moved to a more modern apartment with better energy efficiency.
Some landlords may feel differently about permitting changes that involve or go beyond DIY electrical work. They are more likely to be open to it if tenants have well-established histories with the landlords and intend to stay in the property long-term. However, even if renters’ change requests go smoothly, the landlords may still require that professionals do them rather than allowing tenants to carry out the work.
They would understandably have home electrical safety concerns, including those that harm future tenants when the current ones make mistakes. Additionally, many municipalities have different rules depending on whether someone does electrical work in the residence where they live or one they are changing to prepare for a tenant or another commercial use.
How Much of a Concern Is Home Electrical Safety?
Most people living in areas where it is readily available take electricity for granted. They become accustomed to having lights and other conveniences at the flip of a switch and may overlook how easily things could go wrong.
Researchers working for an insurance company examined the number of home improvement injuries occurring during one year. One potentially surprising statistic was that manual tools caused more than 107,000 incidents, resulting in more people getting hurt with them than powered items. Although the study did not detail the potential reasoning, people could feel more confident handling hammers or screwdrivers because they perceive them as less dangerous than chainsaws or drills.
However, all tools used for DIY electrical projects can become harmful if used improperly. Anyone considering doing things themselves should familiarize themselves with the tools they will use and the job’s potential challenges. Anyone considering doing things themselves should get familiar with the tools they will use and the job’s potential challenges.
They should also only do the work when someone else is there who can call for help if things go wrong. Electricity-related accidents can have severe consequences, but the same is true for people who fall off ladders or otherwise have mishaps not involving electricity as a complicating factor.
Weather Can Play a Role in Safety
People thinking about turning DIY electrical work into a rainy-day activity should reconsider. When lighting strikes power lines, it can damage electrical wires and the things getting power from them. Relatedly, electricians say the best way to stay safe during storms that do or could include lightning is to stop working during them.
When that is unavoidable, the next best thing is only to do indoor tasks that do not require direct contact with anything that could become an electrical conductor.
However, the potential dangers can also extend to getting overheated during hot days, such as if people begin working on electrical tasks and do not keep themselves well-hydrated and cool enough during those jobs.
A best practice is to always check the weather forecast before beginning work. Rescheduling plans after identifying potential dangers is much safer than taking a chance and ending up in risky situations.
Learning About Country-Specific Electricity Differences
Individuals must also realize that the voltage used in their country can affect home electrical safety. For example, while residences in the United States operate at 120 volts, the voltage in the United Kingdom uses 230 volts, and other countries go as high as 240. Additionally, some nations use two voltage types. These variations explain why many people need plug adaptors and other equipment to make their electrical appliances work after moving to other countries.
However, countries using higher voltage also have some electricity-related preventive measures. For example, outlets in the United Kingdom have individual switches that people must activate before electricity flows to plugged-in devices. Kids also learn from an early age to move these switches to the off position before unplugging something. Some households also establish a practice of keeping the switches off unless actively using the outlet.
Assessing Competencies and Confidence
Whether someone should do their electrical work depends on how ready they feel to do the job and if they have previously attempted anything similar. A good starting point is to assess which improvements they want to make and why. For example, loose electrical connections can cause lost energy of up to 20% in some affected items. Someone may understandably want to address that problem, especially if they want to make their homes run as efficiently as possible.
People should also consider how they felt when doing other tasks around the home. Were they able to do each step while fully understanding it and feeling capable of proceeding? If a project leaves someone feeling exhausted at the end of it, they may realize they would have been better off just hiring a professional to do the electrical work.
On the other hand, those who are already accustomed to handling fixes around their homes and have a basic understanding of the respective electrical systems may feel the jobs are well within their capabilities. Besides reflecting on how their capabilities match up with the work, people should also consider whether deciding to do things themselves could have far-reaching impacts later.
Home inspectors have noticed an increase in homeowners making changes to their homes without hiring professionals. If someone does an electrical task and wants to sell the residence later, that decision could delay the sales process. That is because investigations could show the person did not obtain the necessary permits, leading to fines and making it take longer to get the property sold.
Consider Individual Factors Before Doing DIY Electrical Work
Although many people participate in DIY electrical work, it is not an appropriate choice for everyone. People should research the necessary particulars, including the legalities of proceeding. Next, they must realize that electrical work encompasses a large category, and the jobs within it require varying amounts of knowledge. Interested individuals should only begin doing electrical work once they have understood the necessary details and feel they can do the work without encountering significant issues.
Finally, they should remember there is no shame in deciding against doing the work. Even if the option initially seems like it will save money, that benefit may not be as worthwhile as it appears if people end up feeling overwhelmed.
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Author
Emily Newton
Emily Newton is a technology and industrial journalist and the Editor in Chief of Revolutionized. She manages the sites publishing schedule, SEO optimization and content strategy. Emily enjoys writing and researching articles about how technology is changing every industry. When she isn't working, Emily enjoys playing video games or curling up with a good book.