Shocking Facts about DIY Electrical Work

Shocking Facts about DIY Electrical Work (And What Might Be Illegal!)

In the age of YouTube tutorials and home improvement shows, it’s tempting to think that almost anything around the house can be a DIY project, including electrical work. While changing a lightbulb or installing a smart thermostat may be safe enough for most homeowners, many electrical tasks come with serious risks and, in many areas, may even be illegal without the proper licensing.

Let’s break it down in 7 important ways:

1. Electrical Work Is Inherently Dangerous

• The most obvious risk of DIY electrical projects is electric shock, which can result in severe injury or even death. Residential wiring typically carries 120 to 240 volts of electricity, more than enough to cause cardiac arrest under the wrong conditions.
• It’s not just about touching the wrong wire. Mistakes like failing to turn off the correct circuit breaker, using incorrect wire sizes, or poorly connecting wires can create invisible hazards that may not show up until it’s too late.

POTENTIALLY FATAL FACT: The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) reports that thousands of people are injured every year in the U.S. due to electrical accidents, many of them caused by improper installations.

2. Fire Hazards Are a Major Concern

• Improper electrical installations are one of the leading causes of house fires. Poor connections, overloaded circuits, or the wrong kind of wire can heat up and ignite surrounding materials over time.
• Even if a DIY project seems to work fine after installation, hidden dangers like arcing or overheating may develop silently, putting your entire home at risk.

ELECTRICAL FIRE FACT: ESFI research shows electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, nearly than 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Many of these fires could have been prevented by using a licensed electrician.

3. DIY Repairs May Be Illegal — Depending on Where You Live

• Many homeowners don’t realize that in most U.S. states and Canadian provinces, doing your own electrical work without a permit or license is against the law, especially for anything beyond minor repairs.
• Here are a few examples of what might be prohibited for homeowners:

❌ What’s Often Illegal:

• Installing new circuits or outlets
• Upgrading or replacing circuit breaker panels
• Running new wiring behind walls
• Installing high-voltage appliances
• Making electrical changes in kitchens or bathrooms (often requires a permit due to moisture risks)

✅ What Might Be Legal:

• Replacing a light fixture (with no changes to wiring)
• Swapping out a wall outlet or switch (if voltage and amperage match)
• Installing low-voltage systems (e.g., doorbells, thermostats)

FOLLOW THE LAW FACT: Always check with your local building department. Rules vary not just by state but sometimes by city or county. Some regions allow homeowners to do certain types of work on their own primary residence (not rentals or flips), but only with a permit and inspection. In other areas, only licensed electricians can perform any electrical installations, with no exceptions.

On Time Electrical is happy to provide free consultation on what your specific city and county require and offer affordable, professional electrical service if you need it.

4.  You Could Void Your Home Insurance

• One of the most overlooked risks of DIY electrical work is how it affects your homeowner’s insurance. If a fire or accident results from unpermitted or non-code electrical work you did yourself, your insurance company might:

• Deny your claim
• Cancel your policy
• Require costly code upgrades before renewing

INSURANCE RED FLAG FACT: Insurance adjusters are trained to investigate the causes of fires, and they often consult electrical code compliance when reviewing a claim. Even if the fire wasn’t caused by your work, the discovery of illegal electrical installations could raise red flags and increase your liability.

5.  You Might Run Into Problems When Selling Your Home

• Let’s say you install new lighting or outlets yourself and it all works fine. You might think you’re in the clear. But fast-forward a few years: you’re trying to sell your house, and a home inspector flags non-permitted electrical work.

This could:

• • Delay or kill the sale
  • Require expensive corrections before closing
  • Force you to disclose the unpermitted work to the buyer
  • Open you up to legal liability after the sale

“FOR SALE” FALLOUT FACT: Many states legally require homeowners to disclose known code violations or unpermitted work. If the buyer finds out later, you could be sued for misrepresentation.

6.  It May Not Save Money in the Long Run

• One of the main motivations behind DIY electrical work is cost savings. However, mistakes can lead to:

• Costly damage to appliances or electronics
• Dangerous conditions that require full rewiring
• Fines or penalties from the city
• Re-doing work to meet code (especially during renovations or inspections)

FINANCIALLY SAFER FACT: In many cases, hiring a licensed electrician, like the skilled, licensed, and friendly technicians at On Time Electrical, costs less than fixing a DIY disaster later.

7.  Permits and Inspections Exist for a Reason

• Permits can feel like red tape, but they serve a purpose: keeping people safe. When you hire a licensed electrician, they handle permits and schedule inspections to ensure everything meets National Electrical Code (NEC) standards and local building codes.
• A proper inspection ensures your installation:

• Won’t overload your system
• Is properly grounded
• Meets safety clearances
• Uses the right materials for the application

Skipping this process can create long-term safety issues — and legal ones too.

While it’s empowering to tackle DIY projects, electrical work is one area where the risks often outweigh the rewards. Your safety, your family’s well-being, and your home’s future resale value are all on the line. On Time Electrical is here for all of your home’s electrical needs, from free consultations to prompt, comprehensive, and law-abiding repairs.

Give us a call today at (704) 820-4803. You can also visit us online anytime at www.itselectriccharlotte.com.

Check out our weekly and monthly specials. Plus, we waive the service call fee on ANY repair!

Locally owned and operated, we’re On Time Electrical. It’s electric!