Key Takeaways: 

• A handyman can handle simple home repairs, but electrical work requires specialized training.
• Licensed electricians are qualified to work safely with wiring, circuits, and electrical panels.
• Improper electrical repairs can lead to fire hazards, insurance issues, and expensive damage.
• Hiring a certified electrician protects your home, family, and investments.

When something goes wrong with your Florida home’s electrical system (flickering lights, tripping breakers, or outlets that stop working), you might think calling a local handyman could save time and money. 

However, residential electrical repairs are not like patching drywall or fixing a leaky faucet. They carry much higher risks, require detailed knowledge, and must follow strict safety standards.

In fact, contact with electricity is one of the leading causes of fatalities in American workplaces, with more than 150 deaths occurring every year (Electrical Safety Foundation International). This goes to show how dangerous and serious electrical repairs can be.

Don’t leave your home or personal safety to chance. Here’s how hiring a licensed electrician compares to hiring a generic handyman, and why the difference matters for your family and home’s long-term safety.

What a Handyman Can (and Can’t) Do

A handyman is skilled in general home repairs, making them a convenient choice for smaller jobs like fixing doors, hanging shelves, or replacing fixtures. Some may even claim they can handle minor electrical work, such as changing light switches or installing a ceiling fan.

However, without an electrician’s license, a handyman is not legally permitted to perform most electrical work in Florida. They often lack the specialized training required to handle wiring safely, identify grounding issues, or recognize potential hazards inside an electrical panel.

The Risks of Hiring a Handyman for Electrical Repairs

Hiring a handyman for electrical work can introduce serious safety concerns that shouldn’t be ignored. 

For instance, incorrect wiring or overloaded circuits can spark electrical fires or cause shock hazards. Every year, an estimated 51,000 home electrical fires occur, resulting in nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Many of these are the result of DIY electrical work or unqualified repairs. 

Unlicensed repairs also tend to break code. Without proper certification, the work often fails to meet local or national electrical standards.

There’s also the issue of insurance coverage. Many homeowners’ policies won’t cover damage or loss if unlicensed electrical work is found to be the cause.

Finally, what looks like a quick fix can turn into costly rework. You may end up hiring a certified electrician later to correct unsafe or incomplete repairs, paying twice for the same job.

Why Licensed Electricians Are the Safer Choice

A licensed electrician has completed years of education, hands-on apprenticeships, and testing to prove their expertise. Here in Florida, it can easily take five years, and students must complete around 8,000 hours of work experience and 144 hours of classroom instruction each year.

As a result, these professionals understand the technical side of electrical systems: how power flows, how circuits are balanced, and how to identify risks before they turn into fires or outages.

What You Get with a Licensed Electrician

A licensed electrician brings specialized training and experience to every project. Certified professionals are well-versed in wiring methods, grounding, and fault protection, helping prevent hazards before they occur.

Every repair or installation complies with current electrical codes, ensuring your home meets the latest safety and reliability standards. Professional electricians also use the proper tools and diagnostic equipment to identify problems and fix them correctly the first time accurately.

Because the work is covered by licensing and insurance, you’re protected from potential damage or liability if something goes wrong.

Perhaps most valuable of all, hiring a licensed electrician gives you peace of mind knowing your home’s electrical system is safe, reliable, and built to last. Whether you need to upgrade an electrical panel, install a backup generator, or repair outlets and switches, hiring a qualified expert keeps your property secure and functional.

Common Electrical Jobs That Require a Certified Electrician

Electrical repairs come in many forms, but a licensed professional should always handle anything that connects directly to your home’s wiring or power supply. These are some of the most common projects that call for a certified electrician:

• Upgrading an outdated electrical panel to support modern appliances and devices
• Installing ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, or recessed lighting
• Troubleshooting tripping breakers or flickering lights that point to wiring or load problems
• Adding new outlets or circuits to accommodate growing power needs
  Setting up a home generator or EV charger for dependable backup power
• Repairing wiring damaged by pests, water, or age-related wear

If the job involves wiring, circuits, or power distribution, it belongs in the hands of a certified electrician (and not those of a DIYer). The right expertise keeps your home safe, efficient, and prepared for the future.

FAQs About Hiring Electricians vs. Handymen

1. Can a handyman legally do electrical repairs in Florida?

No. State law requires a licensed electrician for nearly all electrical work beyond changing light bulbs or swapping decorative fixtures.

2. Why do electricians charge more than handymen?

Their higher cost reflects years of specialized training, insurance coverage, and compliance with strict safety standards that protect your home.

3. Is it worth hiring a licensed electrician for small jobs?

Yes, especially for anything involving wiring or circuits. Even minor mistakes can lead to a short circuit or electrical fire.

4. What should I check before hiring an electrician?

Ask for their license number, proof of insurance, and recent references. Reputable electricians will gladly provide this information.

Tallahassee’s Trusted Electricians Are Just a Call Away

When the lights flicker, breakers keep tripping, or your generator refuses to start, you need a licensed electrician who knows Tallahassee homes inside and out.

At Meeks Electrical, every technician is a certified electrician with specialized training in residential and commercial systems across North Florida. From repairing storm-related power issues to upgrading electrical panels for growing households, we bring skill, reliability, and local care to every job. Home electrical problems can’t wait, and they should never be left to amateurs. Call Meeks Electrical today at 850-575-3201 or request service online. Our dependable electrical repairs will keep your Tallahassee home safe, efficient, and powered up.