Homeowner Electrical work

[JoeNorm]

I know homeowners can generally pull permits and do their own electrical work. But what about people who are employed directly by said homeowner, say as caretakers, are they allowed to also?

 

[roger]

I know homeowners can generally pull permits and do their own electrical work. But what about people who are employed directly by said homeowner, say as caretakers, are they allowed to also?

In the areas I worked it is illegal except for the HO to perform electrical work

 

[Buck Parrish]

Me too in NC. Indiana doesn't really care (in most areas). I would think Washington would be pretty strict. In NC even the HO can not work on a rental house he or she owns.

 

[suemarkp]

Typically no, a homeowner can't legally pay someone to do electrical work unless that worker is licensed. However, a company can have staff electricians as employees who do not need to be licensed (e.g. Boeing or Amazon staff electricians). At least that's the case here in WA. Not sure why a direct staff employee is OK unlicensed but a hired person must be licensed. Perhaps there is a way to use that same employer advantage for a home I"m not sure. Probably going to have to be a true employee though, not a hired service. You also generally can't even do the work unless it is your home, that is, if grandma owns a house you can't do electrical work for her unless you're licensed. Even for free.

I own a condo unit and am curious if I can pull a permit for electrical work (I've definitely done it for houses I've owned). I own everything in from the sheetrock, but not the wall structure and not the land so not sure if I'm considered a property owner. The condo association has their own rules requiring licensed electricians be used for all electrical work, so in the end the distinction is moot.

 

[jim dungar]

In the areas I worked it is illegal except for the HO to perform electrical work

In Wisconsin, I don't think you are allowed a helper, even if the individual would otherwise be qualified. Homeowner means homeowner.

 

[jim dungar]

Perhaps there is a way to use that same employer advantage for a home I"m not sure.

Probably deals with liabilities and inspections. I know businesses in our town get annual inspections, including electrical, by the fire department.

 

[ramsy]

I know homeowners can generally pull permits and do their own electrical work. But what about people who are employed directly by said homeowner, say as caretakers, are they allowed to also?

In my state B&P 7044 exempts employees from builder’s licensing, but when judges ask “what employees” home owners are liable for damages, or disputes, if without proof of W2 payrolls & workman’s compensation (WC).

Most home-owner insurance policy offers WC riders for domestic staff only, to 32-hrs. per week for all staff combined, but my State-labor code wont require WC until 52-hrs. per 90-day period, for any laborer, handyman, or domestic staff.