Among the many facets of home maintenance, electric repairing can be the most important. Whether your power goes out or you have flickering lights at home, the more you know about how electrical systems work, the better.
To help you understand more about the common electrical work required at home, here is a quick guide with basic information:
Some residential electrical repairs require a professional electrician, especially those that involve multiple components of an electrical system. However, with some basic maintenance checks around the house, you can identify possible problems before they arise.
While electrical devices and cables are intended to provide maximum electrical safety, they can break down easily without proper care. Know where your circuit breaker box is located and how to operate it. Pay special attention to plugs and connections for major appliances to ensure everything is working properly.
It might be tempting to tackle electrical issues on your own. However, if you need electrical repairs, it is usually best to get in contact with a licensed electrician. While almost all renovation projects have their hazards, the operation of electric equipment can be much more dangerous without the proper training and skills.
Furthermore, mistakes in wiring are expensive. Using lower quality materials or the wrong type of wiring might cost you more in the long run.
When trying to estimate the costs for electrical repair services, you’ll need to consider the components involved as well as the services required. Electrical repairs such as panel replacement and complete rewiring are often more expensive because of the extensive maintenance involved.
However, simpler issues like replacing an outlet or light switch are much more affordable, even when hiring a professional.
The best way to budget for repair costs is to learn as much information about the wiring in your home as possible. Consider hiring an electrical contractor to do a thorough inspection of your home to identify any possible issues before they happen.
Learning more about your electrical system will help you take better care of your home. However, when in doubt, consult a professional electrician with any questions about maintenance or issues you encounter.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
