Rewiring the electricity in your house might seem like something you could do without a permit, right? It’s a relatively simple job for someone who knows a little bit about electricity, receptacles, wiring, and the like. Though a certified electrician is required to wire a house for the first time, rewiring your home should be something you can do on your own, without help from outside sources – right?
Well, in a way, you might be right. Rewiring your house does not have to be done by a certified electrician. You can certainly handle rewriting your house on your own if you are savvy enough about all things electrical. But before you start following those lines and shut down that breaker box, there are a few things you need to know.
Most cities and towns prescribe to something called the National Electric Code. The NEC is usually adopted as a standard of excellence for electrical work. In addition, your local area might have additional codes in place that have to be met in order for your home to be deemed safe and “up to code.” This matters a great deal when it’s time to sell your home, or when it’s time to get insurance on your property. An electrical inspector will have to certify that your work is sound, and if you have violated any of the codes, your hard work will have to be done all over again.
Before you start working with the wiring, contact your local building code official. You can usually get this name from the county clerk, or even from your real estate agent. Talk to them about the local building codes and ask what is required of you. They will try to tell you that you need a certified electrician to do the work for you, and granted, that is definitely the best way to go – but if you are insistent on doing it yourself, it is absolutely crucial that you know the codes, so your work doesn’t get in the way of local safety ordinances.
Once you’ve done that, make certain you know what you’re doing. If you are unsure, spring for the extra cash and call in that contractor. When it comes to electricity, you’re always better safe than sorry.
