While you may be perfectly happy with the state of your indoor wiring, many homeowners are frustrated with the position, quality, and reliability of their outdoor electrical systems. This includes outlets which are on the exterior of the house, outdoor lighting, and any other systems which rely on a supply of power such as pool pumps.
One of the most common complaints that I hear from homeowners is that their outlets are not positioned in a way that allows them to get the power they need outside. Often they are hooking together hundreds of feet of extension cords, and then have to deal with the pain of frequently walking back and forth. Some houses will only have one or two outlets, and if they are positioned opposite from where they are needed, frustration will ensue.
It might not be particularly expensive to install additional external outlets as well. Depending on the load of and location of your current circuits, it might be possible to add an external outlet onto one of them. A professional electrician would be able to examine your current wiring and make a determination about what would be needed to add additional outlets.
Additionally, you may need outdoor wiring for projects. Two common ones are the installation or replacement of a pool pump, and the addition of lights as part of landscaping. Both of these are projects which can vary considerably in the amount of effort required, and the time that will need to be taken in order to complete them properly. Usually, for outdoor lighting, an electrician can take care of most of the preliminary steps, while giving you the freedom to send your lines wherever you want.
In either scenario, when you are looking to improve your property, the installation of outdoor electrical systems can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. If you consult a professional electrician, you may find that it can be surprisingly affordable.
Finally, you might need to give some attention to your outdoor electrical systems if they are breaking down. Because they are exposed to the elements, it is doubly important that the correct materials be used. If this is not done, you will see outlets and systems which cease to function in a much shorter time than they are designed to last for. If your outlets are not working, or your lights are always off, it is possible that the materials used in installation were sub par.
