Electrician vs. Handyman

8/22/2015

Let me start by saying handymen are not all bad. That being said, can a handyman do electrical work around your house? No. Unless the Handyman is a Master electrician or a Journeyman electrician doing the work for a company holding a Minnesota Masters license They legally cannot do electrical work in Minnesota.

Electricians need to hold a license, even apprentices need to be registered with the state. This among other things is a way for the state to guarantee that all electricians are getting continuing education and learning new code changes to keep their license active.
Anyone doing electrical work on your home should be insured to do that work. In the unfortunate case something happens and the work was done without a permit and the handyman is not licensed to do electrical, you could be left in a bad position with your insurance.

This was the work of a sheetrock "handyman" adding a light fixture to a bedroom can be an easy project but not only when he left did it not work correctly but how he did left a very unsafe situation for the homeowners.
- exposed wires create a fire hazard
- disconnecting the metal flex removes the electrical systems path to ground.

Installed by an "electrician" who gave the customer a great "cash only" price and no inspection. after the inspector on our project noticed it from the basement the customer unfortunately had to pay again to have it fixed and inspected.
- exposed wires
- not properly grounded and the wires are not supported

Adding recessed cans to the first floor of this house was a great idea, how the handyman did it..not so much.
Attics are a common place for corners to be cut in workmanship because it's rare for a homeowner to go up and check the work.
- the open splices laying in the insulation creates a huge fir risk

changing an outlet is another easy project but done wrong can be very dangerous. This was done by an "electrician" from Craigslist. when installing the new outlet he didn't tighten the screws down creating an arc between the wires and outlet. over time the arcing creating heat and as you can see from the picture eventually a fire. Luckily this customer noticed his alarm clock and phone charger were acting up and turned the breaker off after noticing a burning plastic smell.

10 Comments

Millie Hue link

8/9/2018 04:43:51 pm

Thanks for helping me understand that an electrician has a license which means that they are continuing their education regarding their industry. With that in mind, I will make sure to check their credentials first before hiring one to ensure that I am getting good service. We just needed to have a couple of sockets installed since we added appliances as well.

Electrician Coral Gables link

2/8/2019 08:22:23 am

Yes they definitely need to hold a license until they do serve any client. Licensed one's have great knowledge and experience in handling all electrical issues.

Sparkyologist Electricians link

2/24/2019 07:01:17 pm

I couldn't agree more, a handyman cannot do electrical jobs indeed unless his a master electrician! Thanks for comparing a handyman's work and an electrician's work with pictures, I think this perfectly shows why. The result of a faulty wiring can be catastrophic, so for everyone's safety, don't cut corners when it comes to this department.

Electrician Kendall link

2/25/2019 06:23:36 am

The kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in the house. High temperatures, sharp and pointed instruments, and a plethora of high-energy electrical appliances can all cause you serious injuries. Below are some measures you can take to reduce the risk of electrical danger in the kitchen.

Franklin White link

8/27/2020 08:52:15 am

It's good to know that electricians need to hold a license by the state. I think a ton of people hire handymen because they can be relatively cheaper. But in reality, they are more likely to mess up and aren't licensed so there is no guarantee they'll do it right.

Alfred link

10/1/2020 06:14:01 am

Yeh! happy to know that electricians need a license to do any work for the client. Its great information and knowledge for hiring an experienced electrician.

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10/10/2020 01:06:50 am

This is such a nice blog on the electrical vs handyman. This is one of the best write up on the topic. These are must read for all . This article is a good one to look at. You will get best review over here and would suggest others too. Great blog indeed, will visit again future to read more!!

Stephen G. Crespo link

2/2/2021 01:56:58 am

Thanks it's very helpful for me.

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8/30/2021 03:22:37 am

In case your home's electric framework isn't working as expected or you need a 20 ft. light apparatus hung, you may puzzle over whether you should call a nearby jack of all trades or electrical technician. This choice could influence the strength of your home now and for quite a long time to come, so know the distinction between the two.

Mia Evans link

9/6/2021 06:21:58 pm

Thanks for pointing out that electricians should have a license to ensure that they are getting continuing education and learning new codes in their area. I will keep that in mind when looking for a professional to hire for electrical installation services. It's for the additional outlets I need around my home since I always have a hard time looking for a place to charge my phone.

Electrician vs. Handyman

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