DIYers

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tshea

Senior Member
Location
Wisconsin
Sent inspector to a job we finished a week ago! He called and asked "Did ya get a new guy? This is bad, real bad."
Turns out the homeowner took advantage of the time lapse between our finishing and the inspector arriving. He did about 3 days of DIY wiring.
I will be looking at his mess on Wednesday. Will post pix.
I have a very bad feeling :confused:
Anyone else had this happen?
 
Re: DIYers

I'm wondering what there was for the DIYer to do if you and your crew had already finished. Was this one of those deals where the DIYer had you do some work, and he figured he could save some money by doing other work himself, learning everything he needed to know by watching what you did?

When I deal with clients, I make sure they understand the permit/inspection process, and I leave a copy of the permit with them for their records. The permit states clearly what work was done by me, so if they decide to do some DIY work, it should be fairly clear to an inspector that it was separate from the stuff I did.

[ February 07, 2005, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
 
Re: DIYers

We had that problem not long ago on a remodel. He wanted prices on all kinds of extras. After argueing forever about not doing it for free or next to nothing he declined. Went to pipe the 2nd floor homeruns and he ran a pipe in the way for low voltage where the wall was open. Went back before the inspection and they changed all the outlets to 2 gang mud rings. Pipes were added to the attic. A box was moved and we had to be moved back to clear a cabnet. He added a 3 gang box that stuck out of the wall to much. Another switch was cut open to a 2 gang. Inspector came and he said don't mind me I'm just doing my low voltage as he pulled cables".

I told the inspector we did not make these changes. He said the homeowner needs to have us repair, correct, and take liability for the changes at his expence for the inspection to pass.

Then it was pay back time... I told the inspector some things did not look when I was in the basement. To make the story short they were requiring his service be changed by a licsened EC do to problems. This was a number of panels all over the basement. I declined that work.

Tom
 
Re: DIYers

Returned to the scene of the crime today! What a suprise!
Take a look http://www.vanselectric.com/images/diy1/diy1.htm
(Click on the thumbnail to make it bigger)
Homeowner decided to add some electric on the back porch, garage, bathroom, basement. First job we have fail in 5 years or so.
Rest assured the homeowner will receive a bill and a letter.
Inspector stopped in while we were working today and also told the homeowner not to do any electrical work without a permit.
 
Re: DIYers

Bill will say "Code corrections to homeowner installed electrical to pass inspection."
Letter will include the pictures, and something along the lines of pay or I file mechanics lien and my attorney will be in contact.
 
Re: DIYers

It's unbelievable what people try to pull.

I do a fair amount of DIY fixing, but so far I the DIYers I've run across at least recognize their limitations. Some of their work is pretty good, almost completely code-compliant. Then there are the others...

I've gotten better at trusting my gut when I deal with potential clients. Anyone looking for freebies or asking questions about how to do something before agreeing to hire you is a red flag. Thus far, though, I've never been blamed for DIY work that someone tried to piggyback onto a permit I've pulled.
 
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