Whether you have a scheduled lighting project or an emergency on your hands, there are plenty of situations when it’s appropriate to call in a local electrician for the job.

Repairing a Wire Damaged from Drilling a Hole in the WallWhether you’re hanging pictures, shelves or a TV mounting bracket—or any other reason you might be drilling into a wall—there’s always the possibility that you’ll hit and damage a wire. This is definitely a fix you want to leave in the capable hands of a certified electrician.

To prevent the problem from happening again, use a stud finder and aim for the center of the stud. Before drilling, use a small tipped screw driver to verify you are hitting the stud and not the side. Once you have verified, feel free to drill away.

With the DIY craze in full swing these days, do-it-yourselfers are attempting to refurbish, rehab, rebuild and remodel anything and everything within the walls of their homes. All you have to do is turn to any home improvement channel to observe a novice trying to tackle a major home renovation project. Some seem to know what they are doing, but most do not.

It is astonishing to see the number of load-bearing walls carelessly knocked down in the name of remodeling. Even more disturbing are homeowners who flirt with disaster by cutting live electrical wires! When the sparks start flying, these DIY-ers act shocked (no pun intended) that the wires are hot!

Electrical Permits

Much of this work is done without the homeowner getting the proper permits, which can create serious safety risks, not to mention invalid insurance claims regarding faulty workmanship. Scenarios like these are the perfect formula for a catastrophe!

Major or minor electrical work that is not properly permitted usually results in a denied insurance claim if damage, such as fire, results from improper work. Although it’s perfectly legal in most states for the homeowner to do his or her own electrical wiring, it can actually be less costly to have a licensed professional do the electrical work for you; it’s safe, licensed, permitted and done properly. Your insurance company will thank you!

Insurance Benefits

In fact, many major insurance companies offer a number of discounts if you have your electrical wiring upgraded to current codes. Check with your insurance company, and then contact a licensed electrician to learn the safety and cost benefits of having your home’s electrical service updated. Some DIY projects are better left to the professionals. This is one of them. After all, you can’t put a price on safety!

In these modern times, where a lot of stress is put on the importance of recycling and saving resources, one may wonder if it’s wise to use reconditioned electrical equipment. After all, it is a great way to save money and use materials that would otherwise be thrown out. But one also must consider safety which is key when you are thinking about any kind of electrical materials. Well, that truth is, there are some times when it is safe to use reconditioned electrical equipment, and other instances when it is not. Read on to find out the best ways to determine whether the reconditioned electrical equipment you are using is safe.

Many people believe that reconditioned electrical equipment is not safe. The truth is, sometimes it can be even safer than its original state. This can be the case when old parts are replaced with newer components that are safer and more efficient. However, that doesn’t mean that all reconditioning is done safely. Determining whether or not your replaced parts are in accordance with safety standards. A few prerequisites must be met by the company that is updating the equipment.