In 2020, the US electrical services market reached a value of over $100 billion.

Electrical services cover a huge industry, and if you need any work done, the price can sometimes be a bit off-putting. People sometimes decide to take it upon themselves to do electrical work in their homes, but this is a bad idea.

For a rundown of the risks and problems doing your own electrical work can create, keep reading.

Electrical Shock

The clearest danger of carrying out your own electrical work is the risk of an electrical shock. This presents a real health and safety risk. Most devices in the home run at 110V, but some go as high as 240V, which is enough to be fatal.

Even if you have carried out electrical projects in the past, only professionals should complete electrical work on a home. They have the appropriate training to ensure safety for themselves and others.

Fire Hazards

Along with the risk of electrical shock, the potential for fires is another risk when taking on DIY electrical work. Even a small mistake can create a fire risk. This is true of both wiring in a house as well as any electrical appliances you may own.

Some common mistakes that people make which can cause fires are:

• Wrong gauge electrical wire
• Bad installation of outlets and switches
• Incorrect bulb wattage
• Wrong fuse (size or amperage)

These are all easy mistakes to make and can lead to devastating results, so it's best to not take the risk.

Problems With Power

If you decide to do some electrical work on your home, you may actually make things worse. Improper electrical repair can lead to issues with power and your electricity may stop working altogether.

Depending on what you do this can occur in specific areas of your home, or sometimes even cause a power outage throughout your whole house.

Code Violations

Even if you manage to carry out any electrical repairs to a reasonable level and things seem to be working, it's more than likely that you will end up violating one or more codes.

All homes have building and safety codes that need to be followed. Professional electricians are aware of these codes and will make sure all work complies fully. If you do any work yourself not only will you be creating potential electrical hazards, but your repairs could be breaking the law.

Expensive Repairs

While you may think your electrical work is sufficient, it's more than likely that there will be at least some small errors and mistakes. While these might not seem to be a problem initially, small problems can grow into much larger ones.

If you make any errors and they are not corrected, they might end up doing more harm than good. In the long term, you may end up having to spend more money on professional electrician services to fix the problems you caused than you would have spent on the initial repairs.

Professional Electrical Work

With all of the risks involved, it is never worth trying to carry out electrical work on your home yourself. Powerhouse Home Services offer professional, high-quality electrical work throughout Southwest Florida.

To find out more about our services or if you just have any questions click here to contact us today.