Are you handy with a hammer or savvy with a sewer snake? Whether you’re enthusiastic about DIY projects or just like to save money, some household maintenance tasks are well-suited for anyone with the time, tools, and tenacity to complete the job. However, other to-dos are best left up to experts, and one task that you should always hire professionals for is ceiling fan installation. So before you pick up that screwdriver or drywall saw, pick up the phone and call a licensed electrician!
If you’re scratching your head, you’re not alone — many people aren’t aware that they should always hire an electrician to install a ceiling fan in their homes. There are a few important reasons why, so keep reading to find out everything you need to know.
There’s More Wiring Than You Think
Whether you want to replace a ceiling fan with existing wiring or you’re planning to have a brand-new one installed where there wasn’t one before, more wiring than you think is involved in the process. There are many types of ceiling fans, and they’re all a bit different, but in general, a ceiling fan requires separate connections for light fixtures and fan functions. This means you’ll have to understand each type of wiring and hook them up without getting confused. You’ll also have to understand how to stay safe while handling each part of your electrical system, or else you’ll run into the next problem, which is…
It Can Be Difficult (and Dangerous)
Without the help of a certified electrician, messing around with a ceiling fan is a recipe for disaster. Just think about it: you’re wrestling with a large, heavy, awkwardly shaped object that could harm yourself or others if it drops. There is also a considerable risk of falling from a ladder or experiencing a harmful or fatal electrical shock. If you don’t want to risk dropping the fan, toppling over on a tall ladder, or sending thousands of volts straight into your heart, you’re better off hiring a professional electrician.
You Could Cause Problems
If you attempt DIY ceiling fan installation, you risk harming more than just yourself and others in the home. You’re also running the risk of property damage since improper installation can cause serious damage to the fan, the ceiling, and the electrical wiring. Here are just a few ways you might end up causing damage:
Choosing the incorrect ceiling box (this can harm the ceiling or even cause the fan to fall down on top of you)
Cutting too deeply into the ceiling, causing damage to support beams or other important structures
Wiring the fan or lights incorrectly, cutting the wrong wires, or combining dangerous wires together
Installing the fan incorrectly, leading to property damage when it falls
Ceiling Fan DIY Isn’t Cost-Effective
You might assume that DIY ceiling fan installation saves you money, but this is actually untrue. Here are a few reasons why you aren’t saving big bucks by doing your own electrical work:
Tools of the Trade
You’ll need the right equipment to do a good job on your ceiling fan installation. Certified electricians have their own voltage testers, wire cutters, PPE, and other essential tools, but if you don’t have them, you’ll end up paying a hefty price for tools you likely aren’t going to use again.
Time Is Money
Shopping for supplies, waiting for parts to ship, and then attempting DIY fan installation can take days or even weeks. Meanwhile, searching “professional lighting installers near me” and choosing a qualified company takes seconds. You’ll no longer have to look for bulbs in all the local lighting stores in NH, and the setup, work, and cleanup will be taken care of for you.
Code Compliance
Even if you make it through ceiling fan installation yourself, you’ll never know if you truly did the job in a way that complies with electrical code. This might not seem like a big deal now, but it can come back to bite you in a major way if you ever sell your home. If your installation work isn’t up to par, you’ll have to pay a pretty penny to have the job redone, all during the chaos of the sale. Nobody wants that coveted sale check to be late, so make sure your house is ready for the big day.
Call Cornerstone Today!
Want to install a ceiling fan in your home? Don’t struggle through it yourself. Instead, give Cornerstone Electrical a call today, and our licensed electricians will be there to help. We’re looking forward to working with you!