Electrician needed for small (small!) job north of Seattle

[charlie b]

I bought a new LED floodlight to replace the old one that illuminates our back yard. I can't do the replacement myself (knee issues, not safe to be on ladders). PM me if you are nearby and are interested. I'll send photos of the old and new fixtures.

 

[Buck Parrish]

It might be more fun for you to hire an unsuspecting electrician that does not know that you have the code book memorized ! ( or just about)

I remember Jeff Rodriguez telling me a story when he had hired electricians that didn't know he taught NEC classes.

 

[Hv&Lv]

I remember Jeff Rodriguez telling me a story when he had hired electricians that didn't know he taught NEC classes.

I remember talking to him when he was building his house way back...
A couple of the electricians didn’t know who he was until one of them sat in on his class one Saturday.

 

[Dell3c]

Mr. Charlie B.. Good morning to you Sir. I'm about 3.5 hrs from your location (other side of hump) where the sun shines almost 300 days a yr. If no takers present, and being big hearted guy that I am (southern gentleman). I'm not beyond saddling up (putting the spurs to it) and taking a ride. My respect offered Sir.. ..

 

[charlie b]

Many thanks, Dell. But I can't ask you to expend an entire day on a one hour job, even though we are both Southern gentlemen. I'm in no hurry. I'm sure I can find someone nearby.

Although this project is (knock on wood) a simple one, I would like to have a fellow forum member take it on. But I can look on the open market if I get no takers in a week or two. I would certainly rather pay an electrician than a handy man, if for no other reason than the house is over 75 years old. I can't rule out "surprises," and I need someone who can find and execute solutions quickly.

 

[roger]

Charlie, Tom Baker might be able to help.

Roger

 

[zbang]

I remember Jeff Rodriguez telling me a story when he had hired electricians that didn't know he taught NEC classes.

It's interesting when you have to explain that you helped write the standards they're misinterpreting- two different friends, in different industries, have had to do this.

 

[charlie b]

Charlie, Tom Baker might be able to help.

Tom Baker is a baker these days. He retired from being an electrician and an instructor. He and his wife have picked up the hobby (at least I think it's a hobby) of creative baking, and posting photos on Facebook. If he didn't live an hour's ferry ride away, I might knock on his door asking for a sample.

 

[roger]

I didn't know he was a baker now, that's pretty neat, my wife wanted to start a restaurant after I retired. Anyways I was thinking he might know of one of his students that became an EC

Roger

 

[winnie]

I can't help with the electrical, but I could put some home made chocolate truffles in the mail....

 

[ramsy]

I bought a new LED floodlight to replace the old one that illuminates our back yard.

You might get a bite if you threw in wiring for a back up generator with 200A service upgrade for compatible interlock switch, and ATS to keep the 15-Watt LED light going during power interruptions.

Could have helped you when we lived in Kirkland, WA from 1995-98.

Side jobs would have been good medicine during my Temp position as Microsoft Product Support Specialist, before outsourced to India; or delivery boy for FedEx in Bothel, before giving up on Washington & going home.

 

[charlie b]

Thanks for the responses. Having gotten no responses (from electricians within a reasonable drive from my location), I have decided to hire a local electrical contracting firm. They will come by next week.

 

[ramsy]

Please post before and after pictures, and tell us how much it cost. We will report the code violations.

Make sure the contractor's uninsured laborers don't appear in the photos

 

[electrofelon]

Hey Charlie, I just arrived in Seattle to continue my commercial job. I'd come by and do it for you if you haven't committed to someone else. Would be cool to meet another forum member.

 

[charlie b]

The job is done. It turned out that there was no box, and therefore a good thing that I bought one just in case. They, of course, had one ready to be installed. But it was grey, and the one I had bought was the same color (white) as the siding. It also turned out that the wiring was Romex, not knob & tube, so that worry of mine was unnecessary. Thanks again for the information and the offers of assistance.

Ethan, I would also love to meet another forum member. I think I have only met four to date. Perhaps we can get together at some point while you are in town. I work at home, and home is in the Broadview area, about 10 miles north of downtown Seattle.

I will post "before" and "after" photos later. But I don't think it right to share the cost of another electrician's work.

 

[charlie b]

Here are the before and after photos. I can't wait until it gets dark. The new light is set up to automatically come on at night, and turn off in the morning. Since it is an LED, I expect it to do a far better job of lighting up the back yard.

 

[hillbilly1]

Here are the before and after photos. I can't wait until it gets dark. The new light is set up to automatically come on at night, and turn off in the morning. Since it is an LED, I expect it to do a far better job of lighting up the back yard.
View attachment 2556192 View attachment 2556193

I just put some of those up on a log cabin a couple of weeks ago. I put one set up to replace a porcelain lamp holder with a bare bulb in it. (It was right next the new service I put in, I knew the inspector would say something about it) the homeowner loved it so much, they had me replace the other two porcelain lamp holders on the outside rear of the cabin! LOL! They said they could see the bears now!

 

[readydave8]

Here are the before and after photos. I can't wait until it gets dark. The new light is set up to automatically come on at night, and turn off in the morning. Since it is an LED, I expect it to do a far better job of lighting up the back yard.
View attachment 2556192 View attachment 2556193

floodlight not available in white?

 

[charlie b]

I didn't look for color choices. What I wanted is for it to shine all night and only at night. What I didn't want is for it to have motion detection, and almost all flood lights have that feature. I suppose I could have had the electrician disable motion detection, but I didn't try that. I just grabbed the first one that met my needs.

BTW, it works beautifully. It really lights up the back yard without light spilling over the fence and into my neighbor's yard.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

There are so many types. The one I use has a dusk to dawn feature and a dual function. It stays on all night at half power unless motion is perceived and then it gets brighter. You can also adjust the sensitivity to where it is hard to pick up the motion if you wanted