Electrical jobs should never be turned into a DIY project, unless you have formal training and experience in the field. While electricity is extremely useful and necessary, if it isn’t handled correctly, it can be pretty dangerous too. If you get a novice to handle the job for you that can result in overloaded circuits, poor wiring connections or even faulty grounding, which can be extremely dangerous to you and your family and result in a fire outbreak as well. Here are some common services for which you would need to call in an electrician:

The main electrical panels provide electricity to your entire house. If you have older panels with fuses and older wiring, those may not be able to bear the load of any new appliances you decide to install on your property. The latest electrical appliances tend to add heavy loads on the system and your older wiring installations won’t be able to support those loads. If you are getting new appliances, call in a licensed electrician to test and inspect the wiring and circuit breakers on your property.

If you need any new outlets installed or need existing ones converted to USB ports, you would have to call in an electrician for the job. Oftentimes, electrical codes necessitate that a minimum of 1 outlet in your kitchen and bathroom be a GFCI outlet. These are specifically designed to shut off the power in case there is an imbalance in electricity or if water comes in contact with any of the electrical equipment or fittings; this helps in preventing shock in these areas.

It’s important that there be certified and licensed electrician should handle. They will take all the necessary precautions while doing any kind of electrical work on your property.

Modern demands for electricity often exceed what the original builders of your home envisioned. It’s not unusual for older rooms, even kitchens, to have just one or two electric outlets, but that can put an unsafe strain on your wiring system.

In addition, older homes (those 50 years or older) may have outdated aluminum and/or knob and tube wiring. If you frequently trip the circuit breakers in your home and/or notice discoloring around the outlets, this could be a sign that your wiring needs to be replaced. Old wiring is nothing to ignore. More than 26,000 residential fires are caused by electrical system failures each year.

If you suspect the wiring in your home may need updating, you are likely wondering about the cost to rewire a house. According to Angie’s List, the average cost of rewiring a 1,500 to 3,000-square foot home ranges from $8,000 to $15,000. The good news is that this is a one-time expense. Unlike replacing your roof or heating system, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll need to replace the wiring again for as long as you live in the house.

There are many factors that contribute to the cost to rewire a home in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC areas. They include:

At Kolb Electric, we understand that the cost to rewire a house can be substantial. That’s why we take the time to answer all of your questions and address your concerns before we ever start work on the project. We’ve been helping Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC area homeowners with their electrical needs for more than 20 years, and our team of licensed electricians are some of the best and well-trained in the region.

To learn more about rewiring your home and/or to schedule an appointment in the DC area, call us at 877 287-1179.

If you’re a busy person, constantly running from one place to another, it can be easy to forget some of the little things you leave behind at home. The thermostat, for example, controls perhaps the two biggest energy hogs in your home, the air conditioning and thermostats help improve your home comfort by offering advanced temperature and climate features as well as remote control that simply cannot be beat. Chances are, you are one of many Americans who uses a smart phone, tablet, or computer with internet access every day. A Nest thermostat learns your preferences for daily operation, but can still be controlled from far away if your plans change throughout the day! Here’s a bit more on those features.