Modify a plastic box

[mn_voyageur]

I am confident someone will consider this to be trivial.

Typically, I would just swap the box and not worry about it. However, this is an accent wall that will require attention from the other trades.

Are we allowed to modify an existing plastic box? An existing sconce had a rectangular backplate. The new sconce has a round backplate.

The existing box is a plastic old work box. The tabs stick out from under the round backplate. (These were concealed by the rectangular backplate.) Since the wall is finished, no one wants me to switch to a pancake box. They just want me to cut off the tabs that are visible and call it good.

I pointed out that they will still have to touch up the wall, but those paying the bill told me otherwise.

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks,
MarkN

 

[LarryFine]

As long aas the box won't fall into the opening, I'd say go for it; you're not functionally altering the box.