With so much information available at your fingertips, doing your own electrical work can be tempting – but it’s not worth it. You might save a few dollars initially, but it’s the risks associated with the work aren’t worth it in the long run, and there are a few good reasons why.

1.

Although changing a lightbulb and removing a plug from a socket were both actions that were made exempt from the 1998 Electrical Safety Act, the legislation states that carrying out all other electrical works is illegal unless you’re a licenced professional. While penalties vary from state to state, unlicensed work can incur large fees or possible jail time. In Victoria, the fines are up to $5,000 for individuals and $25,000 for businesses.

2.

As stated above and most obviously… it’s dangerous! In a two year period, almost 1,500 Australians were hospitalised as a result of injuries sustained when completing DIY electrical works. Not only does uncertified electrical work pose a risk to yourself and your property, but also to any others who come in contact with it – including any future tradesmen. Aside from standard handy work injuries such as falls and slips, there’s also a huge danger of electric shocks or electrical fires. These dangers may not be immediate, either. In the past, we’ve seen DIY work that has burnt wires and caused damage that was only uncovered years later – and these customers were lucky that that was the worst of it. You’re better off keeping your family and friends safe and paying that bit extra for the peace of mind you’ll receive.

3.

Your goal might be to save a few dollars, but often DIY jobs can end up being more costly in the long run. For starters, if your works don’t go to plan, you will need to call a professional electrician in to fix up the job. Many qualified electricians (including us at Quay) will be resistant to “fixing” or certifying your DIY work, and it’s likely that they will need to start from scratch – meaning more time and more money out of your pocket. Also, due to the illegality of uncertified electrical work, if you were to be injured or if an electrical fire was started in your home as a result of your DIY job, your insurance won’t cover the costs. That’s definitely not a risk worth taking.

4.

Electrical works are usually complex and extremely hazardous. No matter how many YouTube tutorials you watch or wikiHow articles you read, you will never be able to match the years of experience of a qualified electrician. Not only have do they have the technical knowledge required to get the job done, but electricians have also spent years studying, practising, and mastering the correct safety procedures to make sure that you, your family, and your home stay safe.

DIY electrical work is illegal and dangerous, so why risk your time, money and health? Hire a qualified electrician from the get-go! Quay Electrical service homes and businesses in the Torquay, Surf Coast, Geelong and the Bellarine areas. As certified Master Electricians, we offer electrical work that you can trust. If you’d like to find out more about our services or what we can do for you, contact us here.