Handyman vs. Professional Electrician: Who Should You Trust?

10 May, 2023 Hi-Lite Electric Inc.

Whether you have a friend, a family member, or a spouse that is a handyman, you probably feel quite lucky, as they can help out in many situations. Handymen have skills and experience for a wide variety of jobs around the house and can assist with either an overdue repair or a DIY project that has gone wrong.

Even if you need extra help with some spring cleaning or putting together your Christmas tree, a handyman can complete such jobs faster and more efficiently.

However, handymen do have certain limitations. Though they may be a jack-of-all-trades, they are likely not a professional in any of them. While this may not be essential for certain jobs around your house, like painting the walls or fixing a broken fence, a professional is required for other things, such as electrical repairs, replacements, and installations. In situations involving electrical work, the difference between a handyman and a professional electrician is significant.

A professional electrician has all of the best tools necessary for performing safe, high-quality electrical work. They will also have extensive training in how to properly perform the incredibly complex processes that are often involved in electrical work and expert knowledge about wiring, switches, outlets, electrical panels, and other electrical components.

Most important of all, an electrician will have the proper licensing to conduct electrical work, which is what qualifies them to work on installing, managing, and repairing electrical systems.

Why You Should Choose a Professional Electrician Over a Handyman for Home Electrical Work

When it comes to deciding between a handyman and a professional electrician for an electrical repair in Toronto, the choice should be simple: go with an electrician every time. In fact, it is not only a bad idea to hire a handyman for help with electrical work, but it is also illegal for them to be conducting such work, as the only person who is allowed to work on your home’s electrical system is a licensed electrician.

There are a number of very good reasons why such a law exists, including the following:

1. The work will not be up to code

A significant focus of an electrician’s training covers how to do work that meets relevant local building codes for residential and commercial buildings. They must be able to demonstrate vast knowledge of such codes before they can receive their licensing.

On the other hand, it’s likely that a handyman will not have this kind of knowledge, meaning any work that they do on your home’s electrical system runs the risk of being dangerously non-compliant with electrical codes. This could be problematic for many reasons and will especially become an issue if you try to sell your home at some point. An inspector will certainly notice such work, and you will be forced to repair it professionally before the house can be sold.

2. Corners will likely be cut

If a handyman handles your electrical work rather than an electrician, chances are good that they will cut corners whenever they can and may even do so unintentionally at various points. This is a major risk to take, and the worst part is that it will be almost impossible to tell if or where corners were cut because most of your home’s wiring will be hidden behind walls.

Only after having a professional electrician examine your home’s electrical work will you be able to know if you have been left with a disaster due to cut corners.

3. An increased risk of electrical fires

One of the biggest problems with a handyman doing your electrical work is that your risk of experiencing an electrical fire goes up significantly. This is the main reason why the law requires someone to have an electrician’s license to legally conduct electrical work, as the stakes are so high. Cutting corners not only creates a mess, but also often leads to a lot of dangerous hazards.

The worst part is that you may not even notice the warning signs of a potential electrical fire, such as scorching, because the wiring will be tucked away. By the time you are aware of the problem, it may be too late. So, if you do not want to see your home go up in flames, you should never take the risk of hiring a handyman for electrical work they are not qualified to do.

4. Lack of insurance

Before obtaining licensing, an electrician must also have full insurance coverage, which is crucial for the protection of their customers. If someone who is unlicensed does work on your electrical system and gets injured while doing so, you may be deemed liable. In addition, if an unlicensed electrician damages your home during a job, chances are good that your home insurance will not cover the repair costs, and you will be liable for them.

If there is an electrical fire in your home, which is more likely to happen when work has been done by a handyman, as mentioned above, your home insurance will probably not cover the cost of damages caused by the fire. Once it is discovered that your electrical work was done by an unlicensed person, your claim is almost guaranteed to be denied. That means that you would be on the hook for some major repair costs.

How Hi-Lite Electric Inc. Can Help Provide Qualified Electricians

To avoid all of the major risks mentioned above and keep the electrical work in your home safe and up to code, call Hi-Lite Electric Inc. whenever you need electric repairs in Toronto.

We have been providing reliable, high-quality electrical repair services for over 35 years, and our team of fully licensed and experienced electricians will ensure that any electrical work that you require is done by the book and up to the latest code standards. Our top priority is making certain that our customers are kept safe by ensuring there are no issues whatsoever with their home electrical systems.

Whether you are experiencing flickering lights, power surges, or your house is in need of some electrical upgrades, we can ensure that all of your needs are met in a timely and efficient fashion. We even offer same-day electrical repair services as long as you call us to book an appointment before 8 a.m.

If you ever find yourself requiring an electrician in an emergency situation, we can be there to help no matter what time or day it is, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our electricians will always arrive fully prepared for any kind of electrical work that you require, as our vans are kept fully equipped with everything that could possibly be needed.

For more information about how we can provide safe and effective electrical repair services or to book an appointment, call Hi-Lite Electric Inc. at 416-800-5536 (in Toronto), 289-236-1333 (in York), or 289-236-1347 (in Peel), or contact us here.