Signs You Need to Call an Electrician vs. DIY

Plenty of small electrical tasks, like replacing a light switch cover, swapping a lamp cord, or changing a bulb, are safe for most homeowners. Others cross into work that's both dangerous and, in many areas, legally required to be done by a licensed electrician.

Generally safe to DIY

• Replacing switch plates and outlet covers
• Changing light bulbs and fixtures with the circuit off
• Resetting a tripped breaker once to see if it holds

Call a licensed electrician for

• A breaker that trips repeatedly or immediately on reset
• Any work inside the breaker panel itself
• Warm outlets, discolored switch plates, or a burning smell
• Adding new circuits, including EV chargers or hot tub hookups
• Any work in a home with aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and fire safety organizations consistently list electrical fires among the leading causes of residential fires, and faulty wiring is a recurring factor. When in doubt, the safer call is the phone call to our repair team.