Whether it’s to save some cash or be more self-reliant, many Americans are embracing the do-it-yourself movement. Some tasks, like simple carpentry and urban farming, are excellent DIY projects—but others, like electrical work, should almost always be left to the professionals. The certified electricians at Zelek Electric Co. in Old Lyme, CT, have been serving residents of New London County for over 40 years.

Here, they explain the difference between performing electrical work yourself, hiring a handyman, or hiring an electrician: 

• Permits & Insurance: Like home renovations, many electrical repair projects require permits and a knowledge of local laws. Only certified electricians can apply for and obtain these permits. If you do the work yourself or hire a handyman, you risk being out of compliance with local regulations and you could incur a fine. Also, only work performed by an electrician is fully insured. If the handyman’s work is shoddy, something is bound to go wrong. When it does, you’ll end up spending more money than you would have if you’d hired an electrician the first time. 
• Safety: Electrical work is dangerous. In general, it’s never a good idea to handle electricity on your own for this very reason. Before they can be licensed, electrical contractors undergo extensive training to learn how to manage electricity safely. And while a handyman may say they abide by safety standards, without a permit, there’s no way you can know. Shoddy repairs and faulty wiring can cause electric shocks and house fires. Electricians have liability insurance in addition to their safety training, so if anything goes awry as a result of their error, they will be held responsible. 
• Peace of Mind: If you do the work yourself, you’ll never be certain you’ve done everything correctly, which could be extremely stressful. If you hire an unlicensed handyman, you face a similar predicament.  When you hire an electrician, you have peace of mind knowing the work was performed up to standard.