Not only is having a crack at the wiring dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, but you could also end up with the authorities on your case - for breaking the law.
Neil Dickinson, chief electrical engineer at British Gas, explained: "It's now a legal requirement for all significant electrical work carried out in the home to be undertaken by a qualified electrician, or checked by local authority building inspectors."
Yet even though the regulations came into force in the beginning of January 2005, many people are still totally unaware of them, if the latest research is anything to go by.
A British Gas survey found more than half of householders don't even know about the crackdown, while a third say they've carried out electrical work at home.
Even more worryingly, half of those quizzed said that the new law won't stop them dabbling with electrical work themselves.
However, failure to comply with the regulations is an offence and could result in a fine.
With trained professionals proving so hard to come by, many DIYers may find the temptation to sneakily indulge in a spot of amateur electrics just too much to resist.
But as director of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) David Pollock pointed out, it really isn't worth the risk: "Government figures show that around 10 people die and 750 are seriously injured each year due to unsafe electrical installations in the home."
He added: "If householders demand certificated tradesmen, the injury and death toll will be significantly reduced."
Press Association