How do you know when a lighting job needs an electrician? When should you install lights yourself and when is it important to bring in the professionals? Do you need an electrician?
This blog post should help you answer these questions and, hopefully, save you a little money and ensure the safety of your home.
When do you need an electrician for lighting?
There are a huge number of different lighting options for every room in your home. Some will require a professional electrician to design and install them, others should be as simple as plugging them in and switching them on.
Electricians for bathroom and kitchen lighting
Bathroom lighting and kitchen lighting should always be installed by someone who knows what they are doing, preferably a professional electrician.
Your bathroom will be especially wet, steamy and humid, and therefore any electrical appliances or installations must comply strictly with safety guidelines. Bathroom lights have an IP rating which designates how safe they are for different areas of the room. Water and electricity do not mix well, so it is fair to say that you will almost always need an electrician to install bathroom lights.
Electricians for outside lights
Outside lights are exposed to the elements and will get wet, cold and dirty. They will be exposed to high winds, ice, snow, rain and direct sunlight. They may be exposed to foreign objects like dust, stones, grass, animals or human beings.
For these reasons, outside lights should usually be installed by a professional electrician.
Electricians for serious interior designs
If you are planning a renovation in your home or office and intend to incorporate a series of lighting designs, it usually pays to hire a professional. Not only will they ensure that the lights are installed safely and neatly, they will advise on design issues and help to solve cosmetic problems.
Lighting design in modern homes is often complicated. A good lighting design will incorporate layers of lighting, from LED spotlights to table lamps, from ceiling lights to downlighters, and from picture lights to wall lights.
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If you want to make the most of your interior designs, you need an electrician who understands the technical and creative aspects of lighting a room.
When you do NOT need an electrician for lighting?
Plenty lights are designed so that they do not need to be installed by an electrician.
Non-electric shades, pictured above, allow you to change the lamp shade easily and quickly. Table lamps, floor lamps and bedside lamps often simply plug in and switch on. LED candle lights can be placed around your home or garden safely and easily.
Do you need an electrician?
To find out if you need an electrician for your lighting project, contact Scotlight Direct and speak to our team of expert advisers.
We can discuss your requirements with you and help you decide whether you should seek professional help.
Buy lights online today from the Scotlight Direct online superstore.
