Common Problems in Electrical Systems
There are a lot of common problems that you can experience when the electrical system begins to wear out. If you start experiencing any of these, it might be time for a new wiring installation.
- Brownouts
Brownouts are when the electricity dims to almost nothing before coming back on or goes out for a few seconds. These are common during high winds and storms as they take a toll on the overhead electricity lines. If these are occurring frequently, however, it may be time to think about installing a new system that can provide more electricity to the home and better withstand the dip in power supply.
- Flickering and dimming lights
Flickering and dimming lights is a sign that there is not enough electrical current reaching the bulb to provide a steady electrical flow. This means that the system is straining to provide enough for the whole home or business, or that there is a break somewhere in the line that can become a potential fire hazard if left unattended.
- Poor circuit protection
Poor circuit protection is not only a fire hazard, but it also makes it easier for appliances to trip the circuit breaker which wears down on the wiring and circuit breaker over time. An electrician can also install new circuit breakers for additional rooms.
- Outdated fire precautions
Old homes and buildings are especially likely to have outdated fire precautions, such as a lack of grounding or a lack of code-compliant supplies in the home which can lead to significant fire hazards.
- Frequent circuit breaker tripping
If you notice the circuit breaker tripping often, it might be time to install a new wiring system to accommodate the higher energy demand. The more often a breaker is tripped, the easier it becomes, which slowly wears away at the electrical system.
- High electricity bills
If you are seeing higher electricity consumption without any change in habits, it might be time to consult an electrician, as this could be the result of a rogue wiring mishap that could be a hidden fire hazard somewhere in the system.
- Grounding issues and shocks
If you experience shocks when you touch light switches, bulbs, or outlet covers, then it might be a problem with the building’s grounding. Grounding reduces the electrical output to nothing, providing a barrier between electrical wiring and appliances or people.
When is it Time for an Update?
Residential and commercial buildings alike often need an update once new and safer technology comes out.
Re-wiring a building may be necessary for commercial businesses that are concerned with power consumption or are at a higher risk for fire. Likewise, the local municipality may request that they re-wire the building after an inspection report.
Homeowners typically wait until it’s time to sell the property to re-wire their home unless there is a health hazard exposed, if the current wiring system has sustained damage, or if they are adding wiring into a new addition onto the home.
Most electrical codes are updated every three years to keep outlets and internal wiring safe. While you aren’t likely to spend money on having your wiring updated every three years, it can be good to have an electrician come in to inspect the outlets and wiring, nonetheless.
This inspection can help preemptively repair any problems with the wiring system and catch any fire hazards before they become a problem. Likewise, this provides a licensed electrician with an opportunity to recommend an update if there is a new type of wiring code that could benefit the home.
Every decade or so, homes should be re-wired to match the current codes for safety and compliance. By planning ahead, you can keep the property value high and your family safe for years to come.
How Long Do Electrical Installation Services Take?
Simple installation jobs, like installing new outlets or wiring a single room may only take a skilled team of electricians a few hours to complete, assuming the project goes smoothly. If the electrician is by themselves, or the original wiring path cannot be completed and the electrician must find an alternate route, however, the project may take a few days to complete.
Most large-scale installation services are multi-day projects that involve a lot of in-depth wiring and re-wiring before the fixtures are in place and the place has been properly cleaned up to reduce the risk of fire hazards.
Depending on the service you need for your home or business, the electrician may need a week or more to complete the work. For more extensive projects, such as whole-building rewiring or outdoor electrical installation services, the work may take even longer than that depending on the electrician’s availability.
If you are concerned about availability, be certain to ask your electrician for an estimated timeline based on their current workload, and if they need to set any rain date for inclement weather.
How Much Does Electrical Installation Cost?
The cost for electrical installation services depends on several factors, such as how intensive the task is, the expense of parts and supplies, as well as the urgency of the project.
Homeowners, for example, should expect to spend a few thousand dollars to update their entire home’s electrical system, or install a new electrical system from scratch. (1) While this might be an expensive price tag to wrangle, the security of having it professionally and safely installed is priceless.
[…] the average price range to update electrical wiring in a home ranges from $2,000 to $9,000.
Forbes
On the opposite side, a simple installation for a single electrical outlet may cost only a hundred dollars total once everything is said and done.
It’s important to remember that you aren’t just hiring somebody to do it – so opting for just any handyman isn’t a wise idea. You are also paying for the peace of mind knowing that it was installed with someone who has gone through rigorous testing and licensure exams, approved by state boards, and has hundreds of hours in hands-on job experience to rely on.
All this expertise ensures that the installation will be properly handled, and all safety precautions will be taken to prevent potential fire hazards. An up-front monetary cost is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Depending on the electrician you choose, you may be charged by the hour, or on a per-task basis. The electrician may charge a minimum fee even for a small job to ensure that the labor and gas is paid for.
Interior Electrical Installations
Interior electrical installation services are the most common services requested from electricians as they are many outlets and fixtures that must be installed on the inside of a building, whether it is for commercial or residential use.
Interior installations may include anything from wiring a new addition to the home or installing new electrical outlets to the desired areas in the home. Wiring in new lighting fixtures or installing new circuits are all a part of an electrician’s job. They may also be called into help install appliances that need an electrical connection to properly function.
Outdoor Electrical Installation
With outdoor electrical installation services, there are fewer options for installing new wiring. For residential homes, it is common for installation of new porch lights and security spotlights, but the options are limited, and often, wiring already exists for these fixtures.
Commercial spaces, however, often require more outdoor work. An electrician may need to install an outdoor circuit breaker to help regulate the flow of electricity in underground lines. These lines may go to new installations of accent or security lighting, such as parking lot lights or colored decorative lights that shine on the building so potential customers can identify the building from afar.
Electronic gates, meters, and security systems may also need new electricity lines installed to reliably provide them with power without over-extending the interior power supply.
Find Electrical Installation Services with Same Day Pros
Electrical installation can range from simple outlet work to extensive re-wiring of the whole building. No matter what you need done, it’s always advisable to have a professional, local electrician install the work.
With Same Day Pros, you are connected to the world of professional servicemen and businesses in your local area. You don’t have to ask your neighbor about who rewired their house years ago; instead, go to where the local experts are.
Our directory of professionals includes electrical installation services that cover both residential and commercial needs, no matter how big or small the job might be. Try it out today – you might just find your new favorite electrician company.
References:
- Forbes, How Much Does it Cost to Rewire a House, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/cost-to-rewire-a-house/
