Fingerpointing

[bthielen]

Charlie just closed a thread questioning the installation of a tankless water heater. What caught my attention is something I have noticed to be somewhat of a trend. It appears that when confronted with the rules of this forum the DIY posters tend to try and point out that they are repairing or questioning the work of a "licensed electrician." If the work was done incorrectly it doesn't matter whether it was done by a licensed electrician or a DIYer. It's still incorrect. The problem is that it was probably not properly inspected and whether error was intentional or unintentional, it was not allowed the opportunity to be discovered.

I guess if I'm a DIYer and I find an error made by a licensed electrician I can bolster my own ego by pointing it out. I have noticed that there are a number of members of this site that are more than confident enough in themselves to be honest and point out when they are discussing an area where they are not as well versed, including some of our moderators. This is admirable and only proves that we can't know it all and there is nothing wrong with admitting that we don't.

Bob

 

[haskindm]

Re: Fingerpointing

Many of these questionable installations were probably done "under the table" by unlicensed persons that call themselves electricians, but don't have a license, don't call for inspections, and probably are not qualified to do the work that they are doing. As long as customers demand the lowest price regardless of qualifications or legality this type of work will flourish.
I serve on the Electric Board and we hear the complaints every month from people that hired a "friend" to do electrical work that turned out badly. They all have the same excuses:
1. I didn't know you needed a license for that.
or
2. I thought he had a license.
The majority probably knew both of these items, but they thought they were getting a deal. They are only complaining because it turned out badly.
You often get what you pay for.
Can you tell this is a sore subject with me?
I had a neighbor who, when I was trying to run a business, hired my unlicensed, unqualified brother-in-law to do some "side work" for him. As soon as I closed the business, he was on my doorstep asking me to do "side work" for him. I asked him, where were you when I was trying to keep by business open and had people relying on me to feed their families?

 

[sandsnow]

Re: Fingerpointing

I see in the thread that the "tip off" was mis-use of the term "service disconnect".
I can tell a lot of electricians think that label belongs on an A/C disconnect. I see them stick it on all the time. When it comes to the what the actual service disconnect is, I am told by them that it's called the "The Main Breaker".

Speaking of turning out badly>>>>
I was at the counter pulling a permit for my cabin and there was a civic minded citizen telling the inspector about all the code violations in this house remodel. Turns out the owner owed him money. Turned into a shouting match although the inspector pretty much kept his cool