Homeowners doing electrical work.

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FNCnca

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Portola, CA / Reno, NV
I have been reading a topic, in another forum that deals with homeowners doing their own work.
I was amazed at the amount of bad information being passed around. I felt compelled to reply and state my opinion, which was that, this exchange should stop and the OP should consult a qualified electrician.
It was posted that I was just being too wimpy and that many municipalities allow homeowners to do their own electrical work.
Now someplaces do allow this, I know.

My question is, do the majority of municipalities allow homeowners to do their own work or not, and to what level? In other words, what can they do?
 
The owner/occupant of a single family dwelling can "do it all" in my State as well.
 
In Wisconsin you can wire your own home but no one can help you not even a relative. Permit is required in most municipalities but not "out in the country". Statewide there are more restrictions on doing you own plumbing then there are on doing your own construction and electrical.
 
jim dungar said:
In Wisconsin you can wire your own home but no one can help you not even a relative.
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How ridiculous is that restriction? OK, so Joe homeowner know zip about electrical work yet his brother is an electrician and he can't help him?

This sounds completely unenforceable unless someone is doing commando raid inspections.:rolleyes:
 
'Round my parts, a HO can do the work, but a simple test is required. And I do mean simple... no calcs, no ohms law stuff, just about what is needed for basic home wiring. And a permit is required.
 
infinity said:
How ridiculous is that restriction? OK, so Joe homeowner know zip about electrical work yet his brother is an electrician and he can't help him?

This sounds completely unenforceable unless someone is doing commando raid inspections.:rolleyes:
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It's the same here, if a HO pulls the permit then only the person that pulled the permit or a family household member can help, Unenforceable maybe, but the point is, they don't want guys doing sidework and having the owners pulling the permits...
 
I think having rules forbidding homeowners to do their own work are unenforceable and ridiculous. As others have said, I'm not going to call a plumber to change a faucet or a toilet.
 
Mass

Mass

In Mass, a HO can do his own work, but needs a permit, or so the inspectors tell you. If you actually read the statute, it states that notice to the inspector of wires when installing for hire. If you are not charging for it, you do not need to file for a permit, however that is not the way it is enforced.
 
Tough being Local

Tough being Local

In the Pine State GS, no on new construction, and my city will allow for testing and inspected work for home owner on existing, of course they haven't updated there web page :rolleyes: ... and still no returned answer on why that is!

All future or present home owners are also allowed to design and build there own structures ! Except for the application of the plumbing/ electrical/HVAC requirements.
 
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ga state law is HO can do whatever they want to their own house, employees in a factory can do any kind of work w/o a license, and farm related work can be done w/o license or permit.

but the point is, they don't want guys doing sidework and having the owners pulling the permits..
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the jurisdiction i do most of my work in has a 'weekend patrol' that goes around looking for this type of thing. they have pretty steep fines i hear.
 
Homeowners here can pull permits for their own home. Homeowners may have qualified people help them perform electrical work provided that those people are not paid to assist the homeowner.

Permit and inspection fees are calculated based on cost of materials (excluding utilization equipment such as fixtures) This is the same as for contractors, though one would expect that a homeowner would pay more for materials, and thus pay more for their permit.

I own and occupy or intend to occupy this dwelling. I am responsible to ensure that the installation will comply with the Safety Standards Act. I have read and understand the Electrical Safety Homeowner Guide. I am qualified and I will do the work without assistance, or if assisted, it will be by a qualified person not under contract, and who will not receive remuneration.
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http://www.safetyauthority.ca/?q=homeowners_electricalpermits
 
What set me off in the other forum I was reading, was the bad advice that was and is almost always offered up.
Someone who knows nothing asks for help and half the answers are just dangerous. Multiple posters start fighting about what is right and what is not.
What bothers me, is the possibility that someone may very well get hurt or worse because they were given bad information.
I wish all forums were as dilligent about offering DIY electrical advice as this one is.
 
Vertex said:
I sometimes overhear Home Depot employees giving customers questionable advise.
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Not that I eavesdrop all that much, or even go there that much, but most of what I hear is pretty much on target. I have even heard them tell people they don't know and offer to find someone that does.

I have heard some questionable advice from master electricians too.
 
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