Get matched with top electricians in Makakilo, HI

You should aim to replace your electrical outlets every 15 years, although some GFCI outlets can last as long as 25 years. On the other hand, outlets can go bad much earlier if:

• The wiring is in poor condition.

• Your circuit is overloaded.

• There are loose plugs in the outlet. 

• If the outlet wasn’t installed properly. 

• If the outlet wasn’t grounded. 

Changing from a two-prong to a three-prong outlet is a pretty basic project that usually costs around $20 to $50. If you have a grounded fuse box, your electrician should be able to do the task quickly and easily; however, if they have to upgrade your electrical panel or ground the box, the cost could increase.

If you find the power cables for your appliances are too short, there are ways to extend them for the cost of just the extra wiring you need. Simply cut and strip your wires, solder them together, and cover them using heat shrink tubing. Not everyone has a soldering tool on hand, so if you’re looking to extend in a pinch, an extension cord, power bar, or surge protector can do the job just fine.

You may not always need to hire a local electrician to install a doorbell camera. Wireless doorbell cameras, for instance, are simple enough for the average homeowner to install. They easily attach to your threshold and run on batteries, so no wiring is necessary.

However, wired doorbells with cameras likely require electrical work that should only be attempted by licensed electricians. You’ll need to call a pro if you’re working with a wired doorbell camera.