Why the “Cons” Outweigh the “Pros” in Do-It-Yourself Electrical

The possibility of saving money and the satisfaction that comes with successfully doing the job yourself are really the only two pros when it comes to do-it-yourself electrical services and repairs. And experts like us will tell you those two advantages can sometimes be enough to make good sense to do it yourself—depending on the job itself.

The problem is, typical do-it-your-selfers (let’s call them DIYs) don’t know enough about electrical repair to determine what they can and cannot do. With as much experience as the DIY might have, it’s simply no match for the years and years of electrical repairs that a licensed electrician has—because they do it every single day, and have been exposed to a variety of scenarios.

Which brings us to the most obvious, serious con at hand: safety. Did you know that the number one reason Seider is called for electrical work is because a DIY’s wife is calling after her husband has been “zapped” when trying to repair an outlet, for example. On the worse-case scenario end, poor electrical work is a common cause of household fires.

Now, this begs the question: Why don’t homeowners always call their electrician? Of course, it comes back to the fear of how much it will cost (remember the pro of doing it yourself?). Truth is, most simple jobs (simple to electricians, that is) like an outlet repair will come in for much less than you think. We’ve actually had customers tell us they hadn’t used an outlet in 10 years—just because they were afraid to ask how much it would cost. Not to mention how long they’ve put off fixing that sky-high chandelier or the ceiling fan that hasn’t moved in years—let alone moving ahead with the remodel that’s screaming for new light fixtures or soft, beautiful recessed lighting.

On that note, don’t forget to consider the time component in fixing or replacing electrical. There’s definitely an advantage to the speed that comes with hiring a true “pro”—instead of the stress that comes with a project left undone for days, weeks, or even years. 

Great Expectations—Why a Century of Service Really Matters.

How many service providers can literally say they’ve been around for more than 100 years? Not many, but is that enough—does that kind of longevity guarantee great service? I think most consumers will say probably not.

We know we have to back up our “families taking care of families since 1912” mantra with exceptional service every single day, because we hold ourselves accountable for the service level that has become an expectation with our customers over time.

More discerning customers might question whether being around so long makes us old-fashioned. From a technology or advancement perspective, that’s not a good thing. Being in the home comfort business, we quite frankly can’t afford to live in the past. Thousands of people have let us into their homes over the years—and we are always trying to find ways to get invited back. To do that, you can’t just provide dependable heating and cooling services and products. You’ve got to be perceived as the go-to experts in heating and cooling—establish that trust with customers—and then be of great value in areas like indoor air quality, plumbing, and electrical.

At the end of the day, a century of service matters if you are a smart service provider that never sits still—and one with even smarter customers that continue to expect more from you.