Replacing an electrical outlet sounds like an easy job, you might think. But who should you hire, a handyman or an electrician? This is a question that some new homeowners ask themselves in these situations. When you look at a handyman’s website, you might see they offer electrical repair services and think they could help you with an outlet. But the reality is, if you aren’t sure which specialist you need, you might end up incurring unnecessary fees. Most handyman companies charge a service fee, and if they can’t get the job done, you’ve just lost money. That’s why we decided to write this post: to help you understand when a handyman is a good choice and when an electrician would save the day. Let’s get into it.
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Understand the Job
First thing is to understand the problem you are facing. You should keep that when you call a handyman or an electrician and tell them that you need an outlet replacement; it can actually mean different things. You will need a new outlet when you want to swap a standard outlet for a new one of the same type, or when you want to upgrade to GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets in your kitchen bathroom, or even outdoor areas. Other people want to add USB or smart outlets which also means that they need to replace their outlet. Other cases when you will need an outlet replacement is when you want to fix outlets that spark, feel hot, don’t work anymore.
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When is a Handyman Enough?
Handymen services are good for easy jobs that require to replace on old outlet with a new one of the same type and average, and only if the wires and circuits are working properly. You can also hire a handyman when you need to change a few outlets in dry areas of your house, like the broom or living room. You will pay a little less for a handyman to get this done than an electrician. It’s very important to ask your handyman if they are familiar with the local electrical codes and if they have liability insurance.
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When to Hire a Licensed Electrician
More serious jobs require licensed electricians. If your outlet is burnet, melted, or trips the breaker often this is a job for an expert. You will also need to hire an electrician for GFCI or AFCI outlet upgrades, if there are any wiring damages, lost connections, grounding issues. Homeowners who want to add new outlets should also go for an electrician right away. Some old homes that have aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring can’t be fixed by handymen. The safest option in this case is a licensed electrician.
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Cost Comparison
People often think that a handyman might cost less than an electrician, and sometimes this is true, but it depends on the job. For outlets though, a handyman will charge you approximately $50-$100 per outlet and an electrician will go for $100-$250 per outlet. But again, the complexity makes all the difference here. You might hire a handyman for a complex job that will be done poorly and will end up in more expanses then if you hired an electrician right away. So, keep this mind.
Final Ideas
Handymen and electricians are both good for an outlet replacement job, but the right professional to hire depends on the motive of your outlet replacement. If the outlet has issues, you better get an electrician. If you want to only replace the outlet with a newer identical outlet, a handyman is a good option, it will cost less, and they might get the job done quicker.
The biggest difference is that you can hire an electrician for any electrical repairs, when handymen are a good fit for easy jobs only. Electricians are trained in this field; they can also diagnose the issues quicker because they have a lot more experience in electrical work than a handyman. Handymen are more for general work in your house.
We hope this article will help you make the right decision when you need an outlet replacement, so you don’t end up in unsafe situations, and unnecessary bills.
