While there are many DIY projects you can do on your own, electrical work shouldn't be one of them. Unless you've been trained and certified, electrical work should be left to the professionals. Amateurs can become critically injured from this kind of work. Even if a person isn't injured, work done by the layperson may not be up to code, or it could be installed improperly and cause a fire.

If you need electrical work done in your home, here are some factors that will affect your cost estimates.

Training and Time

There are different licensing requirements and certifications for electricians; like other jobs, the more certified a person is, usually the more money they can charge. Besides credentials, many electricians charge clients by the hour. You may see ranges between $30 to $150 per hour for small tasks, like changing a few lights. Keep in mind that many electricians will also charge by the hour just to come to your home to assess the initial issue.

Power Measurements

Amps measure the volume of electricity, or how fast a current of electrons flows through a circuit. Watts measure how much power is channeled each second, and volts measure the pressure rate at which energy is generated. If you increase any of these components, you're going to likely see an increase in your total price.

Light Bulb Varieties

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are more expensive initially and may add to the total price of electrical work. However, these kinds of lights are eco-friendly and don't require as many replacements, so they could save you money later on compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

Repairs Vs. Brand-New Wiring

Fixr.com says that the most homeowners spend between $160 and $500 for small fixes and repairs—like fixing an outlet—with about $300 being the median. As you can imagine, going from minor installations and repairs to brand-new wiring can increase your overall price significantly to thousands of dollars. If your home is older or has more square footage, then the brand-new installation can reach into the ten thousands.

Per Light or Per Room Fees

Besides per hour fees, an electrician may also add costs per light or per room. If there is a lot of work to be done, such as cutting through walls, running lots of new wire, etc., these fees will help balance out material and labor costs.

Contact an electrical estimator in your area and lay out all of these factors so that you can get an electrical estimate.