Fixing a flickering light, adding an outdoor outlet or upgrading a ceiling fan are seemingly easy DIY projects. But the safety risks far outweigh the cost savings when you tackle electrical projects with just a YouTube education. Consider these three reasons to hire a professional electrician in Bradenton, Florida, before jumping into basic residential repairs:

Putting Yourself and Your Home at Risk

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) estimates that 51,000 electrical fires each year are responsible for 1,400 injuries, 500 deaths and $1.3 billion in property damage. More than half are a result of arcing faults due to overloaded circuits, compromised and incorrect wiring, or faulty connections. These issues not only lead to painful electrical shocks that could turn fatal. They can also significantly increase the risk of your home catching on fire.

Voiding Your Homeowner’s Insurance

DIY electrical repairs that are not permitted and up to code can void your homeowner’s insurance. That will leave you liable for any damage that results from faulty materials, structural changes or low-quality jobs. You could also jeopardize your ability to sell your home and lose hundreds of dollars in violation fees.

A professional electrician has the proper knowledge of residential building codes, applies for the required permits with the City of Bradenton Development Services, and has the finished work professionally inspected.

Creating More Expensive Problems

Even if you follow all the rules and have intermediate knowledge of how electrical systems work, minor DIY repairs can quickly turn into nightmares. Professional electricians often receive frantic calls because wires have been damaged, equipment has failed or a larger problem has developed. In the end, you’ll shell out more cash fixing the damage than what you would have paid to hire a professional electrician from the start.

When you hire a professional electrician, you’re investing in your personal safety. It’s essential that your electrician is certified, licensed, insured and bonded to protect your home. Contact

Dunbar's Electric - Licensed, Bonded and Insured - #108961

Book an appointment today

Text: 661 429 0929

to learn more about the residential and commercial electrical service we perform.

Imminent Risk of Electrocution

The greatest danger of amateur electrical work is electrocution. The amount of electricity it takes to run your home and business is more powerful than you realize. According to , more than half of all Californians have been shocked by electricity in their lifetime. Some shocks are mild, causing sharp pain, heat, or a tingling sensation. More severe electrocution can cause permanent damage or be fatal.

An example of a seemingly simple task that could cause electrocution is swapping out the range hood over your stove and oven. You can buy a new range hood from any appliance store. Once you’ve got the new equipment, you must remove the old range hood, and here’s where things get tricky.

Your range hood is hooked up to electrical wiring which runs the lights and fan. If you unscrew your range hood and pull it down, the metal of the appliance will scrape against loose wires left dangling. This results in explosive sparks and smoke. All live wires must be capped before the range hood is removed. Prior to this, the power to that appliance should be switched off from the fuse box.

Not Meeting Provincial Electric Codes

In Ontario, the Electrical Safety Code governs residential and commercial electricity. From wiring to connections – all changes you make to your home must meet the standards in this code to be allowed. While the chances of undergoing a random audit are slim for a homeowner, it could certainly come under review for a business owner.

Unless you’re familiar with the code, a DIY project could use unapproved strategies or materials. This could result in penalization or an order to reverse the work you’ve completed. Working with a licensed electrician guarantees all electrical repairs in Toronto are in direct agreement with the code.

Expensive Do-Overs

Like any DIY project, homeowners who attempt electrical repairs in Toronto often do so to cut costs. If a job is done right from start to finish, there is a chance you could save some money. However, if your project results in a room without power, crossed wires, or other physical signs of an electrical problem, you’ll need to call an electrician for help.

Hi-Lite Electric Inc. electricians never tease or rejoice when a DIY project falls flat. We’re happy to help any way we can and always prefer you turn to us with an electrical issue than to try to deal with it alone. However, when we’re called to fix your current dilemma, rather than the original problem, it could mean undoing before redoing. This takes time and adds to the overall expense of your project.

Fire Hazards from Faulty Electrical Repairs

Even with the best intentions and a handy electrician’s manual, attempting to wire something on your own could lead to disaster. A serious problem involving bad wiring is electrical fires. When live wires in your walls try to carry energy from a source to a destination but can’t, where does the energy go?

Electricity, by nature, continually seeks to close a circuit. When wires don’t connect properly, they leave room for rogue electrical currents, sparking, and other negative reactions.

Both residential and commercial buildings are constructed using combustible ingredients. Drywall, plywood, and installation are all quick to light. This becomes especially dangerous around winter when the air is dry and static levels increase.

Frustration and Unfinished Projects

Some projects sound easy but turn out far more complicated than you thought. This creates the issue of unfinished jobs. Not finishing a task like folding the laundry before bed is no big deal. Not finishing wiring the upstairs bathroom poses a significant risk of damage or injury. When DIYers get in over their heads, it causes a lot of frustration, choice words, and potential project abandonment.

If you insist on pursuing the DIY route, be sure you know everything required of your new project. Enlisting the expertise of an electrical contractor as a consultant could save you a lot of questions and concerns later. It will also help keep you safe.