If permits are part of the local building code an electrician will be reluctant to come in to do the work you mention. The compensation for doing your work will be very small compared to the loss of work if his license is at risk for doing your bootleg work. There may be a provision in the regs that says that he becomes responsible for all the wiring of that part of the project.
Doing the light fixtures and receptacles is easier than doing the wiring in the walls. Why are you hiring an electrician to do that part? If you've already made contact with an electrician, ask him if he needs permits to do it.
JdN
Posts: 7546 | Location: Elkader, IA, USA | Registered: Mar 07, 2004
[QUOTE]Originally posted by JdN: Doing the light fixtures and receptacles is easier than doing the wiring in the walls. Why are you hiring an electrician to do that part?
the outside walls already have outlets and there are already 3 overhead pullstring lights. I need some outlets on the inside walls that i have built and would like switches on the wall for lights already there and get one other light wired.
Doing electrical is not difficult if you plan it out, have access to the ceiling and walls so the wiring is visible, know the load you wish to add, and can determine whether you can tie into that circuit or add a new one at your main panel.
Purchase a digital multi meter, wire nut connectors both yellow and red, electrical tape, cable clamps, red and green robertson screwdrivers, wire cutters, and a good set of pliers. Then the electrical boxes, and the wire. You will need to learn how to use your multi meter if you buy one but it is a useful tool in testing electrical equipment and solving problems.
Below are links to several sites which will assist you with a variety of electrical circuits you may need to tackle at some point. Use them as a guide and when in doubt post back with a question and others here will assist you. Always work safely with the power to the circuit off at the panel.
in my state, the home owner is allowed to do his own electrical work. but... he [or she] must obtain a permit. it is a common pratice here. the inspectors are 'hip' to the old ,i get the permit you do the work game. they will ask the homeowner a couple of ket questions, and if you can't answer them. your permit is denied. i installed a 200 amp service box on one of my older houses. plus 2 220 outlets 1 did all the work, except the tie in at the meter.i called a electrican to come and finish the job. he did it,ne just went over every thing that i had done, and sternly scolded the thing that i did wrong but i was no big deal. use a smaller company, larger ones tend to not want to do small jobs
Posts: 1680 | Location: i i live in southern mississippi | Registered: Jun 01, 2008
Doing electrical is not difficult if you plan it out, have access to the ceiling and walls so the wiring is visible, know the load you wish to add, and can determine whether you can tie into that circuit or add a new one at your main panel.
So easy even a caveman can do it.
Posts: 204 | Location: NYS | Registered: Nov 13, 2007
if you're going to be doing anything like a new entrance, get a copy of the NEC and read through it once, putting Post-It flags on pages where stuff relevant to the job is.
inspectors live to find technical hose-ups.
one reason is that technical hose-ups can cause failures and fires and deaths.
but another is the "gotcha!" game.
if you did good work AND if he asks how you know you did, and show that ratty looking code book with all the flags in it at the points where he looks to red-tag you, he's either got to get down to testing the tension you tightened the screws with, or pass the job.
don't cover stuff up before you get your inspections, or you are likely to automatically flunk. when you pull the ticket, ask when they prefer to do intermediate as well as the final inspection, so you don't get a "gotcha" there.
sig: if this is a new economy, how come they still want my old-fashioned money?
i guarantee, in fact i bet 100. bucks that if i give you the plumbing exzam 8 hours, and a open book policy , on the plumbing code book that if you had not studied [intensily] before hand you will fail the test not a 70, but a fail.. ain't that right speedy petey? i went to 4 years class, and i STILL have to find stuff.
Posts: 1680 | Location: i i live in southern mississippi | Registered: Jun 01, 2008
I would also consider your home owners insurance, will they pay in case of fire when a permit is NOT pulled? Best to get a permit, it's not that expensive and worth it later down the road, just in case.
Work is for people who don't know how to fish. Steve
Posts: 493 | Location: Seattle, Wa | Registered: Oct 01, 2003