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Thinking about doing your own wiring to save yourself a few bucks? Think again. Do-it-yourself wiring is not only dangerous, it can actually cost you more money than you realize if you don’t do it properly. If you’re not a trained electrician, step away from the wiring, and call a professional. Sure, with the advent of DIY Youtube videos and tutorials online, you may think electrical wiring is a piece of cake; however, nothing could be further from the truth. The safety of your entire home and family is at stake when you attempt to install or repair your home’s wiring—mistakes are simply not an option. Here to explain why you should never wire your own house are the professionals at Harrison Electric.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical fires account for over 51,000 house fires and more than $1.3 billion in property damage every year. Attempting to perform your own wiring puts you at a drastically increased chance of joining this alarming statistic. When you don’t have a dedicated background in electrical work, it’s exceedingly easy to make a mistake in any number of the following areas:

●        Using the wrong gauge of wire

●        Reversing the polarity of receptacles

●        Failing to properly support switches or outlets

●        Not installing GFCI outlets in the appropriate areas

●        Leaving splices open

●        Leaving electrical cables unprotected

According to home inspectors, the above-listed errors are the most commonly observed residential electrical mistakes, all of which can be easily avoided by hiring a professional electrician. With extensive training and experience, the pros know exactly what to use and how to install it to avoid dangerous and costly errors.

If your home’s electrical work isn’t up to code, you could render your homeowner’s insurance invalid—not something you’re willing to risk, right? Should any type of wiring-related property damage occur, your insurance company may not be obligated to honor your claim, leaving you with a hefty unexpected repair expense. All components of your home’s wiring are governed by strict electrical codes designed to ensure your property remains safe and functional. If your home must ever undergo inspection, you’ll be required to comply with these guidelines. An experienced, professional electrician maintains extensive knowledge of ongoing changes to electrical code, ensuring that your wiring is always safe and functional. 

Whether it’s malfunctioning wiring or misuse of a power tool, do-it-yourself injuries and fatalities are becoming exceedingly common. Simply forgetting to turn off your circuit breaker could result in devastating electrical shock, as could inadvertently touching the wrong wires together. In fact, DIY electrical work is one of the leading causes of homeowner injury every year, with over 400 domestic electrocutions annually. And, even if your situation doesn’t end in fatality, moderate to severe electrical burns could incur sizeable medical bills for you and your family. Bottom line? Hire a professional electrician to keep you and your family safe. 

Whether you need a simple electrical repair, or you’re looking to upgrade your out-of-date wiring, the professionals at Harrison Electric are here to ensure your safety. We service the entire Twin Cities metro area and have certified electricians standing by 24 hours a day. With over 100 years of combined experience, our contractors have the industry background and tools you need to ensure your electrical work is functional and safe. To schedule service, or to request a service estimate, contact our team at 763-544-3300.