Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

chdhpkns

New member
Hi everyone,

My name is Chad.I have competed the sound electrician apprenticeship.I also have done many electrical jobs on the side.But I need some guidance.I have been asked to do all the electrical work on a one acre lot that is going to have a modular house,detached garage and a large steel building.The modular house is approx 300' from the power pole.The POCO wants $7000 to feed the house.The homeowner(a good friend) owns a backhoe and thinks that we can do it alot cheaper.At first he wanted a bid from me,but now he has decided that I am to do the work.Should I just charge him an houly wage and if so what is reasonable.I just want to do everything right the first time.I dont expect any of you busy people to do all the bookwork for me.I just dont have the experience.I know the info is out there,but its alot to absorb and interpret.I just need some guidance.I appreciate any thoughts or advice.
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

My impression is you are lacking confidence. If that is the case I would suggest you pass. From your description the scope of the project is large and would be a challenge for even a veteran contractor.

[ February 15, 2006, 01:53 PM: Message edited by: dereckbc ]
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

Originally posted by dereckbc:
My impression is you are lacking confidence.
Click to expand...
I agree. I have never been one to balk at something just because I've never done it before, but if it is out of my league and just beyond my confidence level, it's time to just say no and get or let someone else do it.

You can't gain experience if you don't try new things but don't go so far out there that you can place yourself or other's in real danger. With a lack of confidence you are doing both.
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

Originally posted by tom baker:What is a sound electrician?
Click to expand...
An installer of Low-voltage sound systems, such as might be needed in a theater, I would suppose.

As to whether a sound electrician should take on a job that involves residential wiring, I can only say that Washington State would not allow it. You must be licensed in the particular specialty, or licensed as a general (i.e., includes all specialties), in order to perform work in that specialty.

Please consider turning down this job. If you have no experience in residential, you could do something that is wrong and dangerous, and not know it. Tell your friend that friendship requires you to advise him that saving money is not worth risking the lives of his family.
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

The other moderators said what I wasn't sure of initially. Besides, there is far more money to be made easier with the high end sound systems than roping houses.
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

This is easy... Quote him $7,000 its usually hard to beat POCO at this, although $7,000 does sound high for a 300'run. How big is the service 400A 3phase?

Wow they have "sound electricians"? OOPS!! I've been doing it over 20 years on my "general" license.

Chad are you actually a licensed electrician? For a service entrance you will need to pull permits, which will require load calculations for the house and whatever other bulidings you will be feeding. You will also have to apply for the connection with your POCO which will probably also want copies of load calculations, permits, and approval. If this is your first service on your own and you have any friend's "in the business" with experience or know your inspector you might want to check with them to see what's required locally.

[ February 16, 2006, 05:41 PM: Message edited by: DaveTap ]
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

This is not a difficult project,......

unless you've never done it. Then it can get tricky. If you've never done this type of work, do yourself and your friend a favor and let it slide. You will need an electrical permit.
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

chad,,
i'm with the rest of the crew on this one also,,
if you've never done a project like this one,you could get into trouble,,
"pass"
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

If your not a contractor then most likely your breaking the law doing any of this job.As a homeowner your friend likely can pull the permits if he says he is doing all of the work himself.Now if he pays you under the table then any deal you do is breaking the law but you wont get caught.
 
Re: Low volts guy asked to wire house and shop.Help!!

it is a "gold mine" job,,for us,,not for someone that is not quilified,,,,,,sorry i tried to spell quilified,,
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top