View Full Version : Finishing another contractor's job
zappy
12-02-2008, 01:21 PM
I got a call from a referral and she had to fire the general contractor.She said he didn't know what he was doing.So she said there's the electrical thats halfway done.I worried about being married to his work and being liable,and what about any framing that's not done or wrong.It was a 800sq ft addition.Any tips on how to go about this job without getting burned?Thank you.
NolaTigaBait
12-02-2008, 02:01 PM
i'd give her price to start from scratch...i'm in this exact situ. right now..."contractor" wires the house, then sheetrocks over it, no permit, no inspection, no temp pole...nothing....i told the lady thati have to open the walls and see whats behind them, but i'd probably be starting from scratch
celtic
12-02-2008, 02:03 PM
i'd give her price to start from scratch...
...don't forget rip out costs of whatever was done.
NolaTigaBait
12-02-2008, 02:12 PM
right, forgot about that...funny you said that, the guy left all of the katrina wire in the house...im gonna take some pics of this one
celtic
12-02-2008, 02:16 PM
right, forgot about that...funny you said that, the guy left all of the katrina wire in the house...im gonna take some pics of this one
You forgot to take pictures for us?
Shame on you :mad:
j/k :)
Sometimes the effort to trace what someone else did - especially in the OP's situation [She said he didn't know what he was doing] - it is more cost effective to start from scratch.
growler
12-02-2008, 02:26 PM
Folks an 800 sq ft addition often has to have a set of plans submitted and then go through zoning and then a building permit issued. Then there is the footing and maybe slab inspection.
The first thing to do is find out if a permit has been issued and to whom it was issued. If this GC has been fired then just who is to take over the job. Someone will have to pull a new permit or transfer the old one. If they failed to get any of the earlier inspections they may make them tear it down anyway ( it can happen ).
You really need to know where you stand with the building department before you do anything.
asti1
12-02-2008, 03:06 PM
I am with Nola whith this one.
We ran into this a few years ago, we just made it clear in writing that we were not responsible for anything "others" did. I think the safest way is to do it T & M, unless it's going to be gutted. Like growler said, talk to code enforcment first, keep them in the loop.
Usually you can tell just by looking around if the previous electrician knew what he was doing or not. I think most of us can spot a hack a mile away. Make it very clear in your billing where the last guys work ended and where yours begins.
bradleyelectric
12-02-2008, 04:08 PM
We ran into this a few years ago, we just made it clear in writing that we were not responsible for anything "others" did. I think the safest way is to do it T & M, unless it's going to be gutted. Like growler said, talk to code enforcment first, keep them in the loop.
Usually you can tell just by looking around if the previous electrician knew what he was doing or not. I think most of us can spot a hack a mile away. Make it very clear in your billing where the last guys work ended and where yours begins.
Doesn't work like that around here. If someone is taken off a permit and you get it, it's yours. You sign that all the work to be permitted is your responsibility or you don't get the permit. There is no "He did this now I'm doing this." If the job starts and doesn't get finished and you pick it up, it's yours.
tonyou812
12-02-2008, 04:14 PM
I am acually starting my third "takeover". In both situations it was the GC that bailed out or got fired by the homeowner. In both jobs the electrical work checked out, after a good look by me. So im starting the third one next week and for the most part all the wire is installed. Im going friday to finish inspecting the 2nd floor.
satcom
12-02-2008, 04:31 PM
Doesn't work like that around here. If someone is taken off a permit and you get it, it's yours. You sign that all the work to be permitted is your responsibility or you don't get the permit. There is no "He did this now I'm doing this." If the job starts and doesn't get finished and you pick it up, it's yours.
That is how it is here also, and on top of that, you may run into problems with your comp insurance audits, and liability coverages, should anything go wrong.
MF Dagger
12-02-2008, 05:30 PM
It oftentimes costs more and takes longer to figure out what someone else did than it would to just rewire it completely.
charlietuna
12-02-2008, 05:47 PM
Without original work being permitted--i would refuse to do the job ! Permitted work requires the signature of the original contractor on the second contract permit along with a walk through by the job's inspector. I would take pictures of everything, then only do it "COST PLUS" ! And instruct the crew to take nothing for granted ! We had one job--that was permitted and inspected with a final C.O. -- a building maintainance worker got shocked. We were called in by the tenant - I paired three "two man" inspection teams to inspect the job while i took photos of code violations as they called me so they could be documented. In six hours, we documented over 200 code violations--many were criminal--ie: no grounding-50 amp copy outlets wired with #12 wire on 50 amps breakers-recessed light fixtures wired with stolen used "JOBSIGHT" extension cords--open wiring!!! Attorney asked me "How bad is it", as he sat on $45,000 Power Conditioner in Data Processing Center. I explained to him that the power conditioner was dangerous to sit on since it was not grounded !
Spanish contractor could not communicate with normal inspector-and felt he was being picked on-so city assigned him a spanish inspector-end of story!
tonyou812
12-02-2008, 06:00 PM
Without original work being permitted--i would refuse to do the job ! Permitted work requires the signature of the original contractor on the second contract permit along with a walk through by the job's inspector. I would take pictures of everything, then only do it "COST PLUS" ! And instruct the crew to take nothing for granted ! We had one job--that was permitted and inspected with a final C.O. -- a building maintainance worker got shocked. We were called in by the tenant - I paired three "two man" inspection teams to inspect the job while i took photos of code violations as they called me so they could be documented. In six hours, we documented over 200 code violations--many were criminal--ie: no grounding-50 amp copy outlets wired with #12 wire on 50 amps breakers-recessed light fixtures wired with stolen used "JOBSIGHT" extension cords--open wiring!!! Attorney asked me "How bad is it", as he sat on $45,000 Power Conditioner in Data Processing Center. I explained to him that the power conditioner was dangerous to sit on since it was not grounded !
Spanish contractor could not communicate with normal inspector-and felt he was being picked on-so city assigned him a spanish inspector-end of story!
......................................?
It oftentimes costs more and takes longer to figure out what someone else did than it would to just rewire it completely.
Good point, A lot depends on how much has been. Just roughed in or drywall is done.
Spanish contractor could not communicate with normal inspector-and felt he was being picked on-so city assigned him a spanish inspector-end of story!
Just exactly what is a normal inspector? :D
steelersman
12-02-2008, 06:38 PM
It oftentimes costs more and takes longer to figure out what someone else did than it would to just rewire it completely.
You got that right! I agree wholeheartedly.
augie47
12-02-2008, 06:39 PM
Just exactly what is a normal inspector? :D
It's a myth. We are all abby-normal :D
In my early inspecting days, I disagreed with an AHJ's call to have all illegally installed romex removed by the contractor taking on such a job. As it turned out, in two locations the hidden existing romex had been damaged by additional holes being bored. Since then, if it was not permitted, it comes out.
220/221
12-02-2008, 07:51 PM
Good be legit and it could be a red flag.
First thing to ask is "What happened to the guy who started it?"
Then "Can I have his phone number?"
A lot of times the owner was r4esponsible and chased him off or didn't pay. Other times the contractop flakes. I can get a real good idea just by looking at the job and talking to the people involved.
bradleyelectric
12-02-2008, 08:07 PM
Good be legit and it could be a red flag.
First thing to ask is "What happened to the guy who started it?"
Then "Can I have his phone number?"
A lot of times the owner was r4esponsible and chased him off or didn't pay. Other times the contractop flakes. I can get a real good idea just by looking at the job and talking to the people involved.
Unless I know the situation this is the only way I'll get near it. Usually when I get burned it's when I'm trying to help someone out of a bad situation.
nolabama
12-02-2008, 08:51 PM
i would have to get the last guys number at least - and in resonse to nola's comment - if there is katrina wire in the walls have fun:rolleyes: - that just sounds like criminally bad work - no telling what else your gonna find
Teaspoon
12-02-2008, 09:49 PM
I would definately want know about the permits. has it had a rough-in inspection?
If the insulation is not installed, you can pretty well check out wiring.
I have taken jobs like this where there were problems between owner and Electrician.
I did one this fall on a fellowship hall for a for a Church.It was a nightmare.
The building had a service release. so all insulation was up wall board was up.
It had a drop ceiling so the ceiling was open. Had several problems dining area had 2 shorted circuits on lighting wrong boxes installed for lighting, Switch leg not pulled for hall. just to name a few.
bradleyelectric
12-03-2008, 07:57 AM
I would definately want know about the permits. has it had a rough-in inspection?
If the insulation is not installed, you can pretty well check out wiring.
I have taken jobs like this where there were problems between owner and Electrician.
I did one this fall on a fellowship hall for a for a Church.It was a nightmare.
The building had a service release. so all insulation was up wall board was up.
It had a drop ceiling so the ceiling was open. Had several problems dining area had 2 shorted circuits on lighting wrong boxes installed for lighting, Switch leg not pulled for hall. just to name a few.
But he was the low bidder. The low price is the best correct?
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