When to Call a Professional Electrician vs. DIY

Call a licensed electrician for any work involving your breaker panel, house wiring, circuit additions, or burning smells from outlets and switches. DIY is reasonable for simple tasks like swapping a light fixture or replacing a standard outlet, as long as you turn off power at the breaker and test with a voltage tester first. When in doubt, calling a pro is the safer and cheaper choice long-term.

If you’re not sure where your issue falls, contact TurnKey Electricals at (504) 883-7075 for a free estimate. We’ll tell you straight whether it needs a pro or you can handle it yourself.

What Counts as an Electrical Emergency?

Some situations are not “schedule an appointment” problems. If you experience any of the following, stop using the affected circuit and call a licensed electrician the same day.

• Burning Smells or Smoke: A burning smell from an outlet, switch, or behind a wall usually means wiring is overheating from loose connections, overloaded circuits, or damaged insulation. If you see smoke or the smell gets stronger, leave the home and call 911 first. Do not attempt to open the outlet or inspect wiring yourself.
• Sparking or Arcing: Visible sparks when you plug something in, or a popping sound from inside a wall, means an electrical arc is occurring. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates arc faults cause more than 28,000 home fires each year.
• Shock From Outlets or Switches: A tingle or shock when touching an outlet, switch, or appliance indicates a ground fault. Damaged wiring, moisture intrusion (common in Louisiana’s humidity), or a missing ground connection in older homes can all cause this.

When Professional Help Is Required

Beyond emergencies, certain electrical projects require a licensed electrician by code, by complexity, or by both. Attempting these as DIY creates real risks: voided homeowner’s insurance, failed inspections, NEC code violations, and fire hazards that may not show up for months.

Panel Upgrades

Most older homes in Greater New Orleans run on 100-amp panels, but modern households with central air, electric ranges, and EV chargers often need 200-amp service. A panel upgrade involves working with the service entrance, which carries live power from the utility even when your main breaker is off. This is not a DIY job under any circumstances.

House Rewiring

Homes built before the 1960s in New Orleans commonly have knob-and-tube or cloth-wrapped wiring that has degraded over decades. Post-Katrina rewiring from 2005-2006 is also approaching 20 years old and may need inspection. Full or partial rewiring requires permits in Louisiana and must comply with the current NEC.