electrical safety inspections

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stew

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federal way,washington
I have had an opportunity to do some electrical inspections on resale houses but am not sure what a proper charge is for the service and certification of the electrical system. What do you guys charge for this and maybe some words of wisdom as to the pitfalls etc?
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Document everything and be sure to add a disclaimer to make sure the owner is aware that some things may be overlooked or not accesible or exposed for inspection. This will protect you for issues in the future.

I like to list everything that is not to code or that is in disrepair and provide suggested corrections. I then list all things that may not be required for existing installations and make suggested options. For example, make AFCI recommendations, smoke detectors, GFCI, etc. In some cases, I will list cost for the correction at my rates and in some cases this is not requested on the inspection report, but on a separate proposal.

I charge $250 for a similar service to realtors I work with here in Florida. Many of these homes are between 15 and 40 years old, and could use alot of electrical help before a new tenant or owner moves in. In most cases, the owner is willing to make all dangerous and hazards conditions right and sometimes they will permit the optional stuff.
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

stew,

Make sure you check your insurance if you are doing inspections, you may have completed operations only or an experation policy, some call these a trunk slammer policy, they are less costly, usually around $800 to 1,200 a year for a one or two man operation.
For electrical contractors the policy usually has a longer term of protection and includes error and omissions along with underground coverage, and high voltage, for a one or two man operation these policies can run from $2000 to $4000 and up for a year, you would be suprised to find how many contractors do not have the proper coverage.
E&0 is a must if you are doing inspections.
An insurance agent that works with the construction industry, will help explain what is best for you, an EC we worked with had the wrong insurance, and he paid thousands out of pocket for a non covered claim, he still makes payments to this day.

[ May 08, 2004, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: satcom ]
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Are you working for the buyer, lender or insurance company?
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

I also charge about $250-$300, depending on the size of house and the work involved. I inspect all aspects of the house, however, not just the electrical.
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

As some of you are aware, I have in the past 8 months set up a new electrical inspection company. There are so many details to complete, I cannot see how you will just start making inspections. One very important detail is contact and recognition from the local municipality/state. Without their recognition, I do believe that your inspection is invalid. It has taken me 2-3 months to get the approval of 43 municipalities, and the documentation we provided was a pain in the ... Our insurance company seems to be the only one making money so far :( :eek: .
Like contracting, cross your T's and dot your I's.
One other thing... the actual inspection is easy - the paperwork that follows takes more time than the inspection.

Pierre
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Hey Ryan, I thought you were a municipal inspector? You can do side jobs too?
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

pierre,
... Our insurance company seems to be the only one making money so far .
Click to expand...
We had to reprint our contracts this year for the E&O Limits, it seems every state has different laws and limits and they change at times, another money maker, the printer.
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Originally posted by pierre:
It has taken me 2-3 months to get the approval of 43 municipalities,
Click to expand...
This is so different from what I am used to, there are no private electrical inspectors in the states I work. Well none that can sign off on my work for a city or town.

Each city or town has an inspector where I am.

How does this work if I am an EC, do I choose what private inspector to use?

What is the process?

[ May 09, 2004, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Originally posted by awwt:
Hey Ryan, I thought you were a municipal inspector? You can do side jobs too?
Click to expand...
Yep :) I don't do them in the city that I work for, as I think it would be a conflict. Many of the houses that I inspect on the side would not inspected by a city inspector, because they are existing, and the potential buyer(s) just want someone to tkat a look at them.
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Bob
As you know I am from NY State where things are not as in other states - let me leave it at that.

The County I live in has it's own licensing agreement and 44 separate Municipalities (M). Each M has its own requirements for the private inspection company to follow. Prior to our involvement most of those M had only 1 inspection company for a 100 years. Now we come along as a competitor and doors open that have not been opened in a long time ;) . So these M are setting new standards they want followed and it is very complicated - hence our insurance and attorney fees are high as of now, as well as the printing, rent, salaries, gas, taxes, training, etc...
One benefit of coming from the contracting is how we are making our inspections.
#1 we are training our inspectors to make the same inspection no matter where they inspect - no more of the 'not in my territory' anymore... we expect that to be completely realistic in about 1 year.
#2 if a contractor calls in the morning by 11am he will most likely have an inspection by that day or at least the next day.
#3 respect of the contractor and visa-versa is being trained - no more yelling and name calling.
#4 if there is a dispute of a violation, a panel will make the call - no worry of having future inspections being jeporadized by disputes with any inspector.
#5 some people just can't get along - that contractor can ask for a different inspector- there will be no deals with specific inspectors.
#6 if there is need for emergency inspections and paperwork to the M or utility company, a call to the office will most times have that out (faxed/emailed) within the hour.

The truth - he field inspections are smooth like glass - the office needs two more weeks for our programer to get us the new computer program that we are having developed. Oh yeah (cost) the $$$$ for the program being developed.

One other comment. This forum has introduced me to a host of people and some have extended their experience to me via PM. I have used their help, one in particular has extended his help more so, Thanks Ryan!!!

Pierre
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Thanks for the info Pierre, it sounds like getting set up is a real pain in the rear.

Once you get established with all the Ms will it be pretty smooth sailing?
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

The one very big difference I can see so far is the amount of paper work and booking is daunting. My typing skills are improving with the hour :) .
What have I learned the most so far? The guys in the field need and want help - but were always afraid to ask. They are slowly learning to ask us for help.

Pierre
P.S. My students who now have their license are not afraid to call for help :D .

[ May 09, 2004, 03:38 PM: Message edited by: pierre ]
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Originally posted by pierre:

One other comment. This forum has introduced me to a host of people and some have extended their experience to me via PM. I have used their help, one in particular has extended his help more so, Thanks Ryan!!!
Pierre
Click to expand...
Your very welcome Pierre. I hope you are well aware of how much you have helped me as well. Thanks very much :)
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

Bob,

We have a number of private inspection companies in New Jersey and PA., not all operate the same, some work for municipality or state, and others work for insurance and private companies,
as pierre noted the service can vary.
 
Re: electrical safety inspections

The type of inspection I am contemplating would be a buyers safety inspection . Also some insurance companies require inspections on homes built prior to 60. They are concerned with knob and tube systems,additions without service upgrades,and general condition of the wiring system.This would be a part of the general home inspection prior to purchase. There are some sellers who like to have this done to know what might have to be doner prior to a sale.
 
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