Changing a lightbulb? Go for it.
Replacing a switch, rewiring your garage or running a new PowerPoint? That’s a one-way ticket to getting zapped harder than a possum chewing through a tram cable.
In Melbourne, we love a bit of DIY. We’ll paint a wall, we’ll build a deck, we’ll even have a crack at flat-pack furniture (and lose our mind in the process).
But when it comes to electrical work, DIY stands for Don’t Injure Yourself.
At Luno Electrical, we’ve seen it all: the “she’ll be right” brigade, the YouTube experts, and the folks who thought a guy from Airtasker with a drill was basically the same thing as a licensed electrician.
Spoiler: it’s not.
We’ve got over 170 five-star Google reviews for a reason. We’re Melbourne Master Electricians, always on time, always clean up, and we’ve heard more dad jokes than you can poke a screwdriver at (we love them!). So let’s plug into why you should never, ever, do electrical work yourself.
Why People Try DIY Electrical Work
To save a few bucks.
Because they watched a “how to install a switch” video on YouTube.
Because Uncle Kev reckons he did his own wiring back in 1978 and “it’s still fine.”
Because they think tradies are too expensive.
Here’s the truth: electrical work is one of those jobs where the risks massively outweigh the reward. One mistake can cost you a lot more than money — it can cost you your home, or worse. And if you think calling us after you’ve made a mess is cheaper, think again. It’s not.
Real DIY Horror Stories from Melbourne Homes
The light switch disaster
One bloke thought swapping a switch would be simple. He pulled the old one off, got confused by the new terminals, panicked, shoved the bare wires back into the wall, and called us. The result? His heated towel rail was permanently on. Even worse, those exposed wires could have started a fire. Not good. It’s the kind of “DIY feature” that’ll never make it onto The Block.
The not-so-smart smart switch
Another customer decided to upgrade to smart switches. Unfortunately, he didn’t realise the wiring was totally different. Half his house lost power, his smart switches were dumber than a flat battery, and he ended up paying us to fix the mess. It took us a long time to un-jumble the mess. He made a smart move calling us afterwards when he realised he was in too deep.
The fake Marketplace tradie
A lady wanted a new PowerPoint and TV point but didn’t like our price. She hired someone off Marketplace who claimed to be a sparky. He smashed holes in her wall, illegally wired a PowerPoint into a light switch, and ran ugly conduit through the lounge. In the end, she paid him and then still had to pay us to fix it. Double the cost, triple the stress. Bargain? Not so much.
The Airtasker cowboy
One fella hired a so-called electrician off Airtasker. The guy cut random holes in the wall, scratched his head a lot, then admitted he had no idea what he was doing. The customer ended up with a butchered wall, no new wiring, and another invoice from us to do the job properly. That Airtasker should’ve been listed under “Comedians,” not “Electricians.”
The Thomastown near-death experience
Someone we know replaced his own PowerPoints and switches. No dramas — until he started fiddling with the garage lighting and left live wires dangling near exposed beams. When our team went up on the roof, someone almost leaned a ladder against it. That could have killed one of us instantly. Gas leaks you can smell, water leaks you can see — electrical hazards are silent until it’s too late.
The Dangers of DIY Electrical Work
Electrocution: You don’t get a warning. No sparks, no countdown, just instant lights-out.
Fire hazards: Loose wires can smoulder for months before turning your home into a bonfire.
Insurance and legal issues: In Victoria, it’s illegal for unlicensed people to do electrical work. If something goes wrong, your insurance won’t cover it.
False economy: DIY or dodgy tradies often cost double once the real electrician has to redo it all.
In short, DIY electrical work often costs more than just getting an electrician in the first place.
Why Call a Licensed Electrician Instead?
Knowledge: We spot problems before you even know they exist. That’s what decades of experience does.
Safety: We make sure your home isn’t a ticking time bomb.
Peace of mind: You can sleep soundly knowing your switchboard won’t try to cook you at 3am.
Value: Proper work lasts. Cheap work costs more in the long run.
Why Choose Luno Electrical
Here’s why our customers around Melbourne love us:
Over 170 five-star Google reviews from happy customers.
Registered Master Electricians — licensed, qualified, and insured.
Always on time (we know you’ve got better things to do than wait).
Always clean up (no dusty footprints, no leftover mess).
And yes, you’ll probably get a dad joke or two while we’re there. Don’t worry, we don’t charge extra for those.
Conclusion
DIY electrical work might seem like a good idea at the time. But saving a few bucks today could cost you your home tomorrow. If you wouldn’t fix your own teeth with a YouTube video, why would you rewire your home?
So stick to the safe DIY jobs — mow your lawn, build a shelf, or paint the fence. When it comes to power, switches, and wiring, leave it to the pros.
Call Luno Electrical today for safe, reliable, and friendly service in Melbourne. We’ll do the job right, keep you and your family safe, and probably leave you with a dad joke that’s only slightly less shocking than 240 volts.
