This month, we sat down with Mike Boyd, an experienced electrician who recently joined our Handyman Division. With two decades of electrical expertise and a commitment to excellence, Mike is helping us strengthen and expand the range of home repair and improvement services we provide. In this Q&A, he shares his background, insights, and a few expert tips every homeowner should know.
Q: What first sparked your interest in electrical work, and how did you get started in the field?
A: I started out as a carpenter – my mindset changed while observing other electricians/contractors over time and became fascinated when I realized the importance of what they were doing — which was bringing the project to life!
Q: You bring over 20 years of experience to Smithouse. What kinds of projects have you enjoyed most over the years?
A: I’m passionate about lighting control, especially at venues where I get to see the enjoyment and satisfaction on clients’ faces. I also find great fulfillment in being part of projects that help families in need — it’s rewarding to see the direct impact of my work on homeowners and their families. At the same time, I enjoy taking on big challenges that others might shy away from; there’s a real sense of accomplishment in tackling complex parts of a project and seeing them through successfully.
Q: You specialize in low-voltage electrical work. For homeowners who may not be familiar, what does that mean and why is it important?
A: Low voltage is all about controlling the lighting in your home – from dimming it and knowing what type of lighting to use in each room to make the space more comfortable and warm, to also knowing what type of dimmers to use to control the lighting and color temperature in your rooms. It is important because the majority of people who suffer from depression and other mental health problems, rely on our circadian rhythms and routines. In other words, our bodies are naturally more energetic with natural sunlight and are more relaxed in dim light, such as with the change in the seasons.
I enjoy being a part of the Smithouse Handyman Team, from my supervisor to the guys out in the field. I'm surrounded by people who have outstanding knowledge. Who could ask for more? Being a part of the Smithouse team has been truly great!
Q: What kinds of electrical services can Smithouse clients now access through the Handyman Division
A: Some services that we provide would be lighting fixtures and ceiling fan installation to troubleshooting outlets that don’t work, car chargers and adding new lighting that needs to be enhanced with the right control.
Q: What are a few electrical issues or upgrades homeowners often overlook—but shouldn’t?
A: The main issue most homeowners overlook is not having your house panel thoroughly inspected or not replacing faulty outlets that could potentially cause hazards for being overloaded. This is why before any major projects are performed, the first step would be to have a certified electrician or qualified inspector come out and perform a thorough electrical inspection. Then, depending on the assessment, you can simply add a subpanel, or worse case scenario, a full service upgrade. Upgrading the outlets or panel, or just simply maintaining your panel (like adding surge protection or newer breakers) could also prolong the life of your electrical system and electronics in your home.
Q: What’s one simple upgrade that can make a big impact in a home’s comfort, efficiency, or safety?
A: Simply adding timers or home lighting control, such as a Lutron system, which allows the homeowner to set schedules for their home. For example, with Lutron, we can add app control and have adequate lighting schedules based around busy homeowners. We can set lights indoors and outdoors to automatically turn on when the homeowner comes home to provide lighting assistance for the everyday life needs of a busy family or during the winter months when the days are darker and longer.
Q: You’re currently working toward your Master Electrician certification. What does that process involve, and why is it important to you?
A: I am currently a Journeyman Electrician. I am in the process of studying for and due to take the Maryland State Master Electrical Exam in just a few weeks! When I pass my exam, it would mean that I have accomplished one of the most important and life changing goals of my life – a dream come true. I have been working towards pursuing this goal for the majority of my career.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working as part of the Smithouse Handyman team?
A: I enjoy being a part of the Smithouse Handyman Team, from my supervisor to the guys out in the field. I’m surrounded by people who have outstanding knowledge. Who could ask for more? Being a part of the Smithouse team has been truly great!
Q: Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time when you’re not wiring or troubleshooting something?
A: I spend the majority of time with my family, whether it’s watching a movie together or taking a trip somewhere or doing little projects around the house.
Q: Finally, what’s one thing you’d tell homeowners about maintaining the electrical systems in their homes—especially older or historic properties?
A: Do your homework; understand your home, identify the problem. For instance, if lights are flickering, outlets are just not holding the plugs anymore or you seem to be overloading the surge protectors, make a call to a licensed electrical contractor, like Smithouse, and have your house assessed.