I saw this on another forum about an area in Canada (we're in Illinois) and it got the wheels turning upstairs. We're a service electrical firm that specializes in residential. I've proposed to several local jurisdictions a rough outline:
We, along with other partcipating electricians in the area, agree to a series of tests or classes, (along with future continuing education requirements) to verify our abilities as installers and our grasp of the code. We are then authorized to perform small electrical tasks for homeowners on an honor system. The honor system is similar to a manufacturer subject to UL spot inspections where an inspector from UL might say "pull 20 panels from that line and let's inspect them". We would have a permit form that we have the homeowner sign and collect from them the appropriate fee. An example might be "a ceiling fan permit is $25, sign here, that check goes to the city".
This could benefit all involved. The homeowner could say upon resale that all electrical work has been performed by a village-approved electrician. The municipality could make alot of money in fees they currently miss out on because of the economic unfeasibility of waiting between 9:00 AM and Noon for an inspector. It's not that we're not proud of our work or that we would take shortcuts, it's just not realistic. On larger jobs such as a complete service upgrade we might be given approval but yet subject to a "red tag" necessitating a repair. That would help prevent the unenviable position we're sometimes put in where the local utility won't hook-up, even though the inspection office closes at 5:00 and well, sometimes a complete service takes a while to do correctly and thoroughly.This method will probably aid a number of areas who've relied heavily upon new construction fees to finance operating costs for the Planning and Zoning departments but now find themselves overseeing an area that's built-out. Another benefit is a more educated work force given our non-existent continuing education requirements as electricians around here. Sadly, (not you people here, you're actually still interested) after some electricians get licensed they never pick up the book again.
The problem is I'm having is the fear factor around here, no one wants to rock the boat or be an experimental rat. So, anyone have working models of this or anything similar to it? Your help is appreciated.
We, along with other partcipating electricians in the area, agree to a series of tests or classes, (along with future continuing education requirements) to verify our abilities as installers and our grasp of the code. We are then authorized to perform small electrical tasks for homeowners on an honor system. The honor system is similar to a manufacturer subject to UL spot inspections where an inspector from UL might say "pull 20 panels from that line and let's inspect them". We would have a permit form that we have the homeowner sign and collect from them the appropriate fee. An example might be "a ceiling fan permit is $25, sign here, that check goes to the city".
This could benefit all involved. The homeowner could say upon resale that all electrical work has been performed by a village-approved electrician. The municipality could make alot of money in fees they currently miss out on because of the economic unfeasibility of waiting between 9:00 AM and Noon for an inspector. It's not that we're not proud of our work or that we would take shortcuts, it's just not realistic. On larger jobs such as a complete service upgrade we might be given approval but yet subject to a "red tag" necessitating a repair. That would help prevent the unenviable position we're sometimes put in where the local utility won't hook-up, even though the inspection office closes at 5:00 and well, sometimes a complete service takes a while to do correctly and thoroughly.This method will probably aid a number of areas who've relied heavily upon new construction fees to finance operating costs for the Planning and Zoning departments but now find themselves overseeing an area that's built-out. Another benefit is a more educated work force given our non-existent continuing education requirements as electricians around here. Sadly, (not you people here, you're actually still interested) after some electricians get licensed they never pick up the book again.
The problem is I'm having is the fear factor around here, no one wants to rock the boat or be an experimental rat. So, anyone have working models of this or anything similar to it? Your help is appreciated.