Replacing Light Switches Without Paying A Electrician Fee

You flip a light switch and nothing happens. And you just changed the bulb yesterday. What gives?

Do you really need to call an electrician? Maybe not. The easiest and least expensive solution could be to replace the switch altogether. Best of all, you won’t need a $160-per-hour (or more!) electrician — it’s an easy DIY job.

How Much Do Switches Cost to Replace?

A single-pole light switch costs less than $6 to replace. Go for a rocker switch that’s easy to use and adds sensible universal design to your home.

Three-way switches let you control the same light from two different locations. When you flip one switch to the on position, the other switch is simultaneously moved to the on position. A three-way switch also will cost less than $6.

Likewise, four-way switches let you control the same light from three or more locations. Each four-way switch costs in the $10-$15 range.

Double-pole switches have four terminals instead of two, so they’re used for outlets and appliances that require 240-volt circuits. They also come in rockers. Each double-pole switch will cost $7-$15.

What if I Want a Dimmer?

Dimmer switches not only add instant mood lighting to a room, they save energy, too — for every 10% you lower a light bulb’s brightness, you’ll double the bulb’s life.

The only hitch: CFLs often don’t work with dimmers, so you’ll have to use LEDs or halogen incandescents in your fixtures. Dimmers come in rotary, slide, touch-activated, or digital varieties; the cheapest is rotary and will cost less than $10.

So How Do I Replace My Light Switch?

It’s easy. All you’ll need are:

  • Phillips-head screwdriver
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Voltage tester / Current Tester
  • Needle-nosed pliers

Important

Before you attempt any repairs, cut power to the light switch by switching off the circuit breaker at your electrical service box.

  1. Turn off the power. How? Turn off or flip your corresponding breaker.
  2. Test Switch to confirm
  3. Test with:
    • Voltage tester / Current Tester
  4. Remove Wall plate
  5. Unscrew one (1qty) screw on top and one (1qty) screw on the bottom
  6. Gently pull the old light switch fixture away for the hole / wall revealing three wires (a) black equals death or power source wire  (b) green or copper equaling ground wire  (c)  load wire is usually red or blue; however, I have seen it coated purple, brown, and white.
  7. Test wires once again with:
    • Voltage tester / Current Tester
  8. If power is off proceed by taking a picture of the current layout and then removing all the screws / wires.
  9. Once the old switch is completely removed examine the wires and clean them if needed.
  10. Now you’re ready to install your new switch (**Make sure it fits in the hole before installing & note that sometimes the wires are a change.)