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Why use an Electrician?

While using a professional isn't the cheapest on budgets, people typically don't realize their own safety is at risk. Think about it - would you see a heart doctor to check out your kidney, rotator cuff or dental related issue? No way!  We get asked or hear a lot of people say "I'll replace outlets myself to save money" or "my painter installed a light" or "my kitchen guy installed cabinets and installed my recessed lighting"...meanwhile the microwave is on a circuit with lower capacity than it should be, on the same circuit with the lights, and the kitchen has no GFI outlets on the counter tops. 

 

Or for example, a bathroom is renovated and the old 15 amp bathroom circuit that's tied in with the garage and exterior outlets was NOT upgraded to the current code standard of a 20 amp dedicated circuit. And the most terrible part is that the client has no idea how unsafe this type of installation is.  In fact, as shown in the pictures below, the majority of the time a non-licensed person does an installation incorrectly and it's full of safety hazards, etc.  It's not only just an unsafe installation, it's now an insurance compliance issue as well. There are very many nuisances when doing electrical work and most general people are not aware about circuit loads or grounding or other types of code compliant situations.   

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All in all, we highly suggest that you please do not let an unlicensed person touch any of your electrical system. Period. They might get something to "work" and it might be a fraction of the cost of a licensed professional, but "working" condition doesn't always mean code compliance nor safety.  We've seen it happen time and time again - an unqualified person installs an outlet and there's no safety ground, or a subpanel is wired wrong or a switch or outlet has no box, etc. At the end of the day, our clients end up paying more to correct existing issues.

 

While it may seem easy at first appearance, there's a lot of knowledge that goes into just replacing an outlet - such as outlet type, requirements in spacing, loading.  If these efforts are not followed, you are in a safety hazard such as a shock potential, fire or component damage situation. Nevertheless, a very upsetting situation for us and it's the last thing we want to see our clients experience.

Below are pictures of general contractors using their "electricians" to do electrical work.  Just because something works, it doesn't mean it's done correctly nor safely.  These are all potential safety, shock and fire hazards!  The particular picture showing the junction box without a strain relief actually had a fire issue at the clients home!  The picture of the yellow wire thru a clients ventilation duct is a real doozie.  If there's a problem with that wire and a fire starts, smoke can very easily travel thru the duct work and thru every floor of the whole home very rapidly.  All walls and ceilings should be fire rated for a certain time period that allows time for an individual to safely get out of the building.   Remember that code compliance = safety!  Use a verified LICENSED ELECTRICAL contractor for any electrical work regardless of the general contractor you are using.  Do not use a painter, handyman, tile guy or general contractor to do any electrical work in your home nor office to save money.  Be skeptical of the neighbor saying they know a guy who's cheaper. Ignorance is bliss and as long as you're paying, these people will charge regardless of their knowledge! And while a light may work...  is it a safe installation?   Also keep in mind it's a misdemeanor offense to work outside of a license class!  
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