Now that you’ve decided to upgrade your home and make it more personalized for your family, the next step is usually to panic. Don’t worry. Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions has your back and will help walk you through some services that you can DIY and some that you should leave to the professionals. Of course, this depends on the complexity of your project and your level of experience. We’ll even provide some contractor suggestions that we know and trust. Let’s dive in!
Let’s Talk Electrical Work
Rewiring and Electrical Panel Upgrades
Rewiring and electrical panel upgrades can be extremely complex. You have to think about the load on the panel. If you need to add a breaker, or if you’re rewiring your home because it’s outdated (like knob and tube electrical), then you’re talking hundreds of feet of electrical wire that needs to be restrung through your home. That’s no small task! Not to mention the need to follow building codes for your area and potentially submit permits, depending on your project. Because of the complexity of rewiring and electrical panel upgrades and the potential for electrical fires and electrocution, we will always recommend that you contact a professional electrician who has years of experience in this kind of work.
It might cost you more in the short term, but you’ll save yourself a lot of stress and potentially heartbreak in the event of an electrical fire in the future.
Installing New Circuits and Outlets
Installing new circuits and outlets can also be a bit daunting. Load calculations make sure that the new circuit can handle the electrical demand without overloading the system. Overloading the system can look like breakers tripping, electrical shorts, or potentially electrical fires. This process involves adding up the wattage of all devices on the circuit and ensuring it does not exceed 80% of the circuit breaker’s capacity. Circuit mapping helps identify where new outlets should be placed and how they integrate with existing circuits, preventing potential overloads.
Not only do you have to think about circuit mapping, but you also need to ground your home properly. Grounding your home helps prevent electrical shocks and, you guessed it, potentially even electrical fires. This step is part of the NEC or National Electrical Code, and it is one you don’t want to skip!
It might not surprise you when we say that we also recommend leaving this level to the professionals!
Lighting Design and Installation
If you have experience replacing light fixtures or installing things like ceiling fans, you may be able to save money by doing this yourself. If you’ve never done this before, please leave it to the professionals.
Why? There are several factors that need to be considered when you’re talking about lighting design or installing a new light fixture, like electrical load requirements on your system, the number of watts that your current system or breaker can handle, properly connecting wires, and securing them. Not to mention how the fixture will look once it’s installed. For example, if you have a sloped ceiling, you’ll need to purchase specific fixtures that have bases that are sloped with the ceiling. All these things are taken into consideration when you work with a professional electrician.
Smart Home System Integration
If you don’t mind tinkering and figuring out specific smart home systems, this would be another great option for you to DIY. If your patience runs thin or you don’t have any experience in integrating a smart home system and ensuring compatibility, then this would be a headache you’ll want to leave to the professional!
Many smart devices operate on different platforms (like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi), which can make it difficult to have these smart devices communicate with your current systems. If you don’t get this set up properly from the beginning, it can lead to functionality issues, which could require either the replacement of older devices or the additional purchase of hubs that can bridge different technologies.
Security and privacy are also at the top of our list when it comes to smart home integration. Smart devices, often connected to the internet, can be vulnerable to hacking and unauthorized access. Making sure your new system utilizes robust security like strong encryption, regular software updates, and secure passwords is essential to protecting personal data and privacy. Our electricians have recommendations on systems that we know, like, and trust. Feel free to reach out to set up an initial consultation for your smart home integration!
Don’t Let DIY Plumbing Projects Wreck Havoc
Major Plumbing Replacements and Installations
Plumbing is one of those DIY projects that could go bad very quickly. If you’ve ever had or known someone who has had a slow leak in their walls, you know how expensive (and a hassle) it is to remove moldy flooring, drywall, and studs and build that section of your house almost from the ground up. For major projects, we always recommend reaching out to professionals because they’ll take into consideration the complexity of your current plumbing system. Which, if we’re being honest, could be complex if you’re in an older Flagstaff home. Older Flagstaff homes could be built with clay pipes, which are notorious for cracking or breaking from tree roots. The professionals will make sure that your new plumbing system will integrate with your older system and be safe for years to come!
Here are some Plumbing Professionals that we recommend:
- Assurance Plumbing and Heating – (928) 779-1589
- Mammoth Plumbing – (928) 714-0050
Bathroom and Kitchen Remodels
Bathroom and kitchen remodels require attention to detail, especially when it comes to plumbing and electrical systems. Plumbing installations need to be done correctly to prevent future leaks, water damage, or mold growth (which can create a massive headache—literally!).
Professional plumbers know that the correct waterproofing and ventilation are important for any bathroom or kitchen. Plumbers and electricians often work hand in hand to ensure that your home remodel goes off without a hitch and that the project finishes with you loving your new space!
You may be comfortable DIYing things like installing fixtures, such as sinks, faucets, and appliances. These usually come with step-by-step instructions in case you get a little lost along the way. But don’t worry if you do! NAZ Electric is just a call away!
Avoid Major Structural Changes
Wall Removals and Load-Bearing Modifications
We always suggest leaving wall removals or load-bearing modifications to the professionals because if you don’t know what you’re doing, your home could literally crumble around you! You need to make sure that the walls you’re looking to take down aren’t load-bearing, and if they are, that you temporarily shore up those walls until you get a more permanent solution in place. Without putting the proper safeguards in place, you may be putting your home in danger of significant structural damage, including sagging ceilings, cracked walls, or even collapse.
With large projects like this, structural engineers or experienced contractors should evaluate the home’s framework, design appropriate support solutions like beams or columns, and ensure the modifications comply with building codes. Obtaining necessary permits is also a crucial step, as it ensures that the work meets safety standards and legal requirements.
Not to mention the fact that wall removals often mean major electrical rewiring. Existing electrical outlets, switches, and wiring within the wall must be rerouted or updated to maintain functionality and safety.
Here are some experienced contractors that we recommend for major remodels:
- Barden Home Builders – (928) 607-4015
- JKC INC General Contractor – (928) 606-4378
Foundation Work
Foundation work can not only be tricky, but it’s literally the ground level of your house. If the foundation isn’t right, then the rest of your house is going to be impacted. Whether you’re building a new home from the ground up or your older Flagstaff home needs foundation work, please leave this to the professionals! The equipment alone to lift a house in order to repair the foundation can be very costly.
We recommend:
- Arizona Foundation Solutions Flagstaff – (928) 212-2334
HVAC Installations Can Be Complicated
Summer in Flagstaff has been heating up, and winters are getting colder. Having a properly working heating and cooling system is not only important to keep your family warm (or cool) but also to keep your monthly electricity bill down! This is another trade that we recommend keeping with the professionals. They’ll ensure that your system is properly sized for your home, otherwise, an undersized unit will struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Not only that, but making sure your HVAC integrates seamlessly with your electrical system is very important. Professionals will make sure that your home can handle the additional load and prevent any electrical mishaps in the future.
Here are some HVAC pros that we recommend:
- Your Plumber, Heating & Air – (928) 774-1015
- Fiscor Heating & Cooling – (928) 202-4090
Partnering with Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions
Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions is here and ready to help you turn your house into a home through your home renovation. We can help with adding or moving electrical work, smart home installation, installing new lights, and much more!
Our team here at Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions is licensed, bonded, and insured for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here for you 24/7!
