When it comes to electrical work around the home, you always want to call an electrician if you have any doubts or concerns about your abilities to handle this project. These jobs can be very dangerous even if you think you've disconnected the power, and a poor-quality job can mean the risk of an electrical fire in the future. However, note a few tips for handling some minor electrical DIY projects around the home that many homeowners can tackle themselves.

Running a wire around a door

When adding wiring to a home or moving around sockets and plugs, you may want to run that wiring around the doorframe. This needs to be done behind the frame itself; first, use a pry bar to remove the door frame above and around the door. You then need to remove the baseboard along the floor, and use a drywall cutter to cut an opening in the drywall for the wiring. After you run the wire through the drywall next to and around the door and have it fastened into place, you can replace the baseboard and framing, using wood glue to keep it in place. This should cover the cut drywall and wiring and keep it secure.

Replacing a sconce

Because a sconce is attached to a wall and not the ceiling, you need to remove the original fixture, but then also remove the bracket or brace behind it. A new sconce should come with its own bracket, and it's important that you use this one rather than attach a new sconce to an old bracket; that old bracket may be corroded or too lightweight to support the new sconce. Attach the wiring, then screw the new sconce into its bracket and it should be functional.

Creating an overhead power strip

When you want plugs overhead, you don't need to run new wiring and install outlets in that area. Instead, use a sturdy board you can attach to the underside of cabinets or any location where you want overhead outlets. Purchase a power strip that has slots on the underside for sliding over screws. Use a router to create a trench in the board just wide enough to hold the cord of the power strip. Add screws to the board, leaving them jutting out just about an inch or centimetre. Slide the power strip over those screws, run the cord of the power strip through the trench in the board, and plug in the power strip. You now have overhead outlets without any additional wiring needed.