Anyone planning DIY electrical work at home should remember the sentiments of Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park. Of course, he was talking about genetically engineered dinosaurs, but the principle is sound: just because you're actually able to do something, it doesn't mean you should. This definitely applies to DIY electrical work. But if you know how to perform this sort of work, why shouldn't you?
Modest Plans
You might think that your plans are quite modest. You're not trying to rewire your entire home, or install a new air conditioner, but are instead performing a task that seems fairly low-key, such as repositioning an electrical outlet. You might have some familiarity with the work that's involved and may have looked up the necessary instructions. You feel confident that you're able to safely complete the work, so why shouldn't you go ahead with it?
An Accident Waiting to Happen
The fact that performing DIY electrical work at home is unwise isn't a comment on your abilities. There can be safety concerns, but there may also be legal and financial implications. Perhaps the biggest danger is that faulty (incorrect parts, improperly connected or inadequately insulated) wiring can lead to an electrical fire—perhaps months or even years after installation. You might be creating an accident waiting to happen. This poses a risk to your home and its contents, but far more importantly, also to you and your loved ones.
Qualified Contractors
Registered electrical contractors must be licensed. This licence is issued by the appropriate state government department, which varies. In Queensland, it's WorkSafe; in New South Wales, it's NSW Fair Trading; in Victoria, it's Energy Safe Victoria; and so on. A licensed contractor must be qualified to perform the work in question (which is a prerequisite for getting the licence), while also having liability insurance. As a homeowner, these requirements that a contractor must fulfil create a safeguard for you.
Safeguards
No such safeguards exist if you do your own electrical work. For example, if you attempted to install an HVAC system yourself, you may void the device's warranty. If your DIY electrical work causes damage to your home, either during installation or even months (or years) later—your home and contents insurance is unlikely to cover this damage, as it can be traced back to unlicensed work.
Realistically, if the task is anything more complicated than changing a lightbulb, you should hire a licensed electrical contractor—otherwise, what might have seemed like a simple task may turn out to be a very expensive mistake.
