There are a great deal of projects that you can do yourself, however there are some where it is just not safe or even legal. One place you should be really cautious when working on home restoration projects is when dealing with electricity. Electricity can be very dangerous to work with if you are not a licensed electrician. The threat of a fire hazard is just one of the reasons you should leave your home remodeling ventures to a skilled professional.
Installing Light Fixtures
One of the most significant reasons property owners upgrade their lighting fixtures is to improve their property’s appearance, function and value. Lighting dramatically affects the appearance, feel and overall atmosphere of a home. It looks and sounds like a simple task to switch out lighting fixtures, however you have to remember that there are wires and cables running through them conducting electricity. You will want to fully disconnect any electrical flow to your lighting components prior to you inspecting them to consider replacements. So, when it comes to changing them out and wiring in the new ones properly, you undoubtedly will want to call a licensed electrician.
Installing Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a wonderful addition to a home when installed correctly. Although installing ceiling fans is sometimes billed as a DIY project, the truth is that ceiling fans are more difficult to install than they look. Once the fan is installed and turned on, even if it is mounted properly, there will be some movement and vibration. If there are any loose wires or errors, you could have a fire risk lodged in your ceiling and you would not even know until it’s too late. Hire a licensed electrician to install your new ceiling fan to avoid such disasters from happening.
Kitchen Remodels
There are numerous projects that go into remodeling a kitchen that an electrician wouldn’t be too helpful for, such as adding a backsplash or new floors for example. Then there are things like connecting circuitry in a new garbage disposal or adding an outlet for a dishwasher. It is best to get the advice of a licensed electrician when adding an appliance, even if you think you don’t need a new outlet or circuit. The reason is because the new appliance might pull too much electrical energy from your existing circuit, causing your lights to dim or flicker or even your breakers to trip. It is best to be aware of these sorts of scenarios beforehand, and to hire a licensed professional to ensure the job is done right!
Basement Conversions
Basement conversions are a great way to add more functional space to your home, but they can be a great deal of work with many varied smaller projects, each mini-project having some areas of specialization. If you find that you need to install electric outlets or lighting fixtures, you will need a licensed electrician. If the basement is in a less finished condition, you may even want to run all new electrical wiring, which is most definitely a job better left to a professional.
Outlet and Switch Changes
No matter what room or area of a home you are picking to redesign, odds are that you will want to change the outlets and switches. Not only will you get a fresh, matching appearance but you can be guaranteed they will be safe and upgraded. You can also take the opportunity to install dimmers and timers which have become more and more popular for both ambiance and safety.