Home Electrical Projects You Can — And Cannot — Do Yourself

Some people are happy to let professionals take care of all home-related tasks, but some homeowners want to manage as much as they can themselves.

And that’s a fine inclination, since there are many home project tasks that homeowners with basic DIY skills can manage themselves.

But there’s an even longer list of tasks that they shouldn’t do themselves. That’s certainly the case when it comes to home electrical projects, which are not only complicated, but can also be highly dangerous.



In most instances, you’ll need to call an electrician, but as you’ll see below, there are a couple of exceptions. Here are the electrical jobs you can — and absolutely cannot — do yourself.

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Can: Change a Lightbulb

How many homeowners does it take to change a lightbulb? Just one — you, or maybe two if the light is located up high and you need someone to hold the ladder for you.

It’s a basic home task that most homeowners can do themselves (or can get a friend/family member to do for them). Just make sure that the switch is set to off and the bulb has had a chance to cool down (if necessary) before making the change. 

Cannot: Replace/Install Wiring

Replacing or installing wiring in a property is a complex that requires specialist knowledge and tools. It can also be extremely dangerous, even life-threatening, if carried out by non-professionals. If you have an issue with your home’s electrical wiring, then call an electrician as soon as possible. They’ll be able to determine the cause of the problem and its solution. In many cases, the home’s wiring won’t need replacing in full — often, a unit upgrade (such as a new breaker) can restore functionality.

Can: Cosmetically Updating Outlets

Dealing with outlets that are looking past-their-best, or wish to upgrade to more modern outlets that include USB ports? That’s a job that experienced DIYers can sometimes do themselves with just a few tools and basic knowledge — there are YouTube tutorials that can show you how. The process is typically as simple as switching off the power, removing the old outlet, and connecting wires to the new one. Once that’s done, you can simply screw the outlet into the wall and turn the power back on.

Cannot: Replace Faulty Outlets

With that said, there’s an important distinction to make when talking about replacing outlets. It’s possible to replace outlets that you’re replacing for cosmetic reasons, but not ones you’re replacing because they’re faulty. That indicates a bigger problem that will require the services of a professional electrician. 

The Bottom Line On Home Electrical Projects

 

In general, it’s best to assume that the vast majority of home electrical projects will require a phone call to an electrician. Unlike other home projects, the list of electrical-based jobs you can do yourself is pretty small. By calling a professional, you’ll be ensuring that the task is done correctly, that you're kept safe, and that you don’t accidentally cause more serious issues that are more complex and expensive to repair.

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