Some home remodelling and renovation projects are fairly simple and may not require the services of an electrician; if you're knocking down a wall that doesn't have an outlet or switch on it or are just expanding window frames for larger windows, you may not need to have an electrician assist. However, there are projects that need the services of an electrician even if you don't think that electrical wiring is involved in the renovation work. Note when you want to call an electrician for any work you're doing or planning around the home.

1. If you notice wiring is not coated properly

When you tear down walls or pull up any area of the home and expose wiring, note if there is still a thick rubber coating around the wires. You may notice flecks of rubber in the materials you remove or in the insulation behind walls; you may have pulled off some of that protective rubber when you pulled out the wall or tore up flooring. Your home then has bare or exposed wires that can be very dangerous. Even if you don't plan on touching those wires or moving them, you still want an electrician to check them and replace them if needed, so you know the wiring is safe.

2. If you're upgrading electrical equipment

If your plans include new theatre equipment, an oversized stereo or television, larger kitchen appliances, a hot tub, a sauna, a larger light fixture, new ceiling fans or any other upgraded electrical equipment, call an electrician. He or she should inspect the wiring and ensure it can handle the added electrical demands of these pieces or replace them as needed. This should be done before and during construction, so the electrician has easy access to the wiring and can redirect the wires around your construction as needed.

3. If the remodelling involves plumbing

You may wonder why an electrician should be called if you're going to be moving around plumbing pipes, but remember that your home's pipes and wiring should never be in contact. It's also typically best that wiring not run under pipes, in case of a water leak that could damage the wiring and lead to an electrical fire. An electrician can ensure that the renovation or remodelling you're planning will keep plumbing pipes well away from wiring or reroute that wiring as needed to accommodate the new plumbing you're installing.