It can be very tempting to do your electrical work yourself. It at least appears to save money and wiring a socket or light switch is easy, right?
There are strict laws in Philadelphia about what can and cannot be done on your own when it comes to electrical work. If all you need to do is replace a switch or install that wonderful lamp that you found, you can absolutely do that yourself. However, more complex things require permits, which are only given to licensed electricians.
The reason is that all electrical work has to be up to code for safety reasons. Because they have gone through extensive learning and training, a licensed electrician can ensure that all safety codes are met so that you do not have major, or even minor, issues later. IF you do it yourself and it is done wrong, it could result in burning, or even a fire, which is very dangerous and destructive.
Doing your own work can cause your house to fail inspection if you sell it - and redoing your own jury-rigged repairs costs more than getting an electrician in the first place. A failed inspection can also prevent you from consolidating debt or getting a second mortgage until the work is fixed, properly, by a licensed electrician.
It is much better to call a professional in the first place. They will even guarantee the work, so you get repairs later if something happens, which is a nice thing to have just in case.
It is entirely possible to save money while hiring a pro. Just look for experienced workers or companies who are licensed and have a reasonable hourly or flat rate. It will save you money and a lot of stress in the long run.
There are strict laws in Philadelphia about what can and cannot be done on your own when it comes to electrical work. If all you need to do is replace a switch or install that wonderful lamp that you found, you can absolutely do that yourself. However, more complex things require permits, which are only given to licensed electricians.
The reason is that all electrical work has to be up to code for safety reasons. Because they have gone through extensive learning and training, a licensed electrician can ensure that all safety codes are met so that you do not have major, or even minor, issues later. IF you do it yourself and it is done wrong, it could result in burning, or even a fire, which is very dangerous and destructive.
Doing your own work can cause your house to fail inspection if you sell it - and redoing your own jury-rigged repairs costs more than getting an electrician in the first place. A failed inspection can also prevent you from consolidating debt or getting a second mortgage until the work is fixed, properly, by a licensed electrician.
It is much better to call a professional in the first place. They will even guarantee the work, so you get repairs later if something happens, which is a nice thing to have just in case.
It is entirely possible to save money while hiring a pro. Just look for experienced workers or companies who are licensed and have a reasonable hourly or flat rate. It will save you money and a lot of stress in the long run.
About the Author:
Stay safe and find a certified Philadelphia electrician to solve your electrical problems. There will be one local to you listed online at http://www.barryfisher-electric.com/.