Not sure what your reg's are like down south, but up in Canada (Sask.) if you don't get a homeowner's permit and anything should happen afterwards, (ie: fire) kiss your house insurance good bye! Check your local building codes to be safe. Sometime's it's safer to hire the proper trade, and make sure they are insured as well. Cover Your Arse!
I'm a Chief Engineer in a steam plant by trade, and shoddy electrical work has come closer to killing me more times than anything else. This includes motorcycle riding and close calls shooting / hunting. (there's been a few of those!) Take care.
Blaine.