In this blog post, you’ll learn how much an electrician costs. 

Are you scared of hiring an electrician because you’re afraid of how much the total bill will cost?

DIY electrical work has its perks – you get to save money and perform the job in your convenient hours. But then again, even the savviest home improvement enthusiast has limits; you get to a point when YouTube videos and how-to articles no longer provide the needed help.

This is why everyone ends up hiring an electrician.

Major Electrical Work Requires Inspection

Electrical work requires permits. Even if you’re looking at DIY electrical work, that doesn’t exclude you from the inspection. You’ll avoid the hassle by hiring an electrician. He’ll take care of the permits; if the project is disapproved, it’s the electrician’s job to make it right.

Did you know that all your electric connections are subject to regular inspection? Local governments are strict about this legal requirement, which is justified since it’s all about the safe usage of electricity. So, even if you unknowingly fix an issue with your electrical system without calling in a licensed electrician, you may very well be breaking the law.

You’re confident that you haven’t done anything wrong, yet some of those repairs you did DIY style may have legal implications. If your electrical system fails the inspection requirements, you’re looking at a possible hefty fine.

All About Safety

The job of an electrician is to keep people safe by checking for safety hazards. These could be anything as simple as a loose wire or faulty plug, but there are also more advanced electrical issues that an untrained eye will never see.

You’re looking at a handful of safety regulations in whatever type of electrical work. These regulations are part of a strict set of building codes that only licensed and qualified electricians know all too well.

Hire an electrician for your home’s safety – it’s not just the job they’re doing at present, but also a safety measure for anything that may happen down the line.

Supposed you’ve done the repair job on your own, don’t celebrate just yet. Without proper training and experience, you’ll never know if the outcome of your “experiment” stands the test of time. There’ve been countless cases of DIY work on electrical systems that caused a fire soon after.

Licensed Contractors

Licensed electricians are the best choice for your home. They have gone through all of the necessary qualifications to provide safe and guaranteed electrical work. If something terrible happens on a job or after one has been completed, liability insurance is much more likely to pay out on behalf of a licensed contractor.

The state’s building codes set safety guidelines for licensed electricians. Unlicensed electricians also have to abide by these rules, but they’re not as tightly regulated. Some states require that a person is licensed before they can work with electricity and other power sources to construct buildings or homes.

On the other hand, others only regulate how safe their wiring practices are if there are incidents where unlicensed workers might be called upon during emergencies. This includes situations like blackouts caused by storm damage.

It’s a Dangerous Affair

Tens of thousands of people are killed by electric shocks in North America every year. High voltage injuries make up more than a third of the fatalities, which is why hiring a qualified electrician is justifiable, no matter the cost.

Handling electrical repairs on your own instantly puts you at risk of electrocution—even a mild shock results in minor yet painful burns. Meanwhile, a high voltage shock causes severe injury or death. This is all the more reason to tap the services of a licensed electrician.

Most electrical components are hidden in your walls; most property owners don’t even bother familiarizing themselves with the schematics. The hidden network of electrical components is a disaster waiting to happen – anyone who tampers this network without training is likely to get an electric shock.

You End Up with Costly Repairs

Everyone’s been there – thinking all along that handling electrical repair on their own makes sense. After all, it’ll save you the cash you’re supposed to pay the electrician. But the truth is that you’re less likely to get it right the first time. Therefore, you waste your time and money and still end up calling the electrician.

You can’t afford even a minor mistake when handling the electrical repair. There are way too many risks, and you could end up aggravating what was otherwise a “small” issue. One small oversight could result in the injury or death of someone. You think you can’t get hurt by simply replacing a light bulb, but that’s how far it goes. Anything beyond that should only be handled by an electrician.

Don’t gamble with your family’s safety by trying to take on DIY electrical work. After, what’s a few hundred dollars in exchange for everyone’s well-being? Don’t forget that electrocution isn’t the only risk here – a DIY approach gets you closer to the possibility of starting a fire on your property. So, keep your enthusiasm within the bounds of changing a lightbulb or installing a chandelier. Anything beyond those should merit a call to a licensed electrician.

How Much Do Electricians Charge?

Electricians usually charge between $50 to $125 per hour, however, many homeowners pay a typical range between $162 and $522 for an electrician to visit their home and complete electrical repairs. Both hourly and project rates vary depending on the type of project, license and experience of the service provider. If you want to find out more contact us at PTX Electric.