Sis Dilemma

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ElectricianJeff

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Southern Illinois
I received an email a couple of days ago from my sister to let me know she had just closed on a home near El Dorado, Arkansas. She asked me if I would mind coming down and updating her electrical service which is currently 60 amp. and I would assume there are other issues as well do to the obvious age of the service.

In the same email she said she had checked and its "legal" for her to do the work herself. I googled Arkansas and it appears that Arkansas is a state where licensing is required.

My sis is single and money is tight since she just sprung for this house and I don't mind helping her out, plus I'll know its been done right. However, something in the back of my mind is bothering me about just jumping in the truck and heading down there and doing it. Its about a 10 hour drive from where I'm at in Illinois. I've never worked outside this State so I really don't know what to expect or what kind of can of worms I might be getting into.

Anyone that can shed some light on this situation would be appreciated. I know most of you hate it when someone does this but "hey" its my only (and favorite) sister.

Jeff
 
Even if it's legal for her to do her own work; log cabin rules as some call them; she's not doing the work... you are. That sounds like you're contemplating doing something illegal. That said, I'd do it for my sister.

Don't suppose you are in a financial position to just hire a local contractor for her? That might satisfy everyone.
 
Interesting, did your read all the By-laws of the State Regulation Authority, did you look up the Town Laws, seems to me that your only real problem is the service size from weather-head to pole, etc.

NC in there by-laws state that homeowners are allowed to do there own work to there own structure, as long as its not going to go on sale, some Local AHJ require that it be inspected, some don't, but the law exist for the state.
Good Luck, and only eat at nation food chains on the road trip ! :rolleyes:
 
cadpoint said:
NC in there by-laws state that homeowners are allowed to do there own work to there own structure, as long as its not going to go on sale, some Local AHJ require that it be inspected, some don't, but the law exist for the state.
:rolleyes:
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I would like to clarify that the house can go on sale at some point but you must live in it for a period of 2 years(I believe). I believe that it is always required to be inspected and in some areas that would make the HO pass a test-- I believe Durham, NC is one of those places-- at least they use to require it.
 
Have her go to the local building department that issues permits and see if she can legally sign for the electrical work. Here in New Jersey homeowners can sign for electrical permits for work on their own homes.
 
First I was assuming that the size of the service needed to be upgraded.
And in the Case the call went out the first part of conversation would be, "what's the permit number"?

We have two major players Duke and Progressive, and many Co-op's
Most have gotten away from providing anything after weather head, granted it varies, and some service is NOT grandfathered as to what an PC would do for their customer.
 
ElectricianJeff said:
In the same email she said she had checked and its "legal" for her to do the work herself.
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If she can get a permit that would be good enough for me. The way I look at it, doing the work yourself means not hiring an unlicensed contractor to do the work. I see nothing wrong with giving your sister some technical assistance for free.

With homeowner permits I don't think anyone drives every nail for pulls every wire themselves, they normally have a father, son, brother, sister or friend helping with the heavy work. So long as no money changes hands I think it's legal enough. :D
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I would like to clarify that the house can go on sale at some point but you must live in it for a period of 2 years(I believe). I believe that it is always required to be inspected and in some areas that would make the HO pass a test-- I believe Durham, NC is one of those places-- at least they use to require it.
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Do not know about test but NC will not allow owner ( unless licensed) to wire their own property if it is being rented
 
ceb said:
Do not know about test but NC will not allow owner ( unless licensed) to wire their own property if it is being rented
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That is true. That's why my statement said you had to live there for a period of 2 years-- then you could rent the place.
 
Jeff, why don't you try and get a license in Arkansas? Even if you acquired just a journeyman's then you may be able to find someone to permit you.

Some people might think it would be a waste. I think anything that makes an electrician study the code book for a few days can't be a waste. Then if you pass you have another notch on your belt.
 
I've managed to pull a "one job only" permit in some areas where my license doesn't officially reciprocate if I show that I'm licensed someplace and have liability insurance. If it wasn't such a long drive, you might try this. Little towns seem to be a lot nicer in this regard.
 
mdshunk said:
I've managed to pull a "one job only" permit in some areas where my license doesn't officially reciprocate if I show that I'm licensed someplace and have liability insurance. If it wasn't such a long drive, you might try this. Little towns seem to be a lot nicer in this regard.
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Good idea.......I may try something along these lines. Insurance isn't a problem but no license here since I'm in Illinois. I wonder if my IBEW card might get me in the door on a one time basis?

I would consider sitting for a test like someone suggested but I would think that might be tough to pull off in a 2-3 day visit which is all I have time for. Besides, I'd have to pass it. :confused:

Jeff
 
ElectricianJeff said:
I would consider sitting for a test like someone suggested but I would think that might be tough to pull off in a 2-3 day visit which is all I have time for. Besides, I'd have to pass it. :confused:

Jeff
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Haven't you passed a test before? How did you get a license in Illinois?
 
mdshunk said:
I've managed to pull a "one job only" permit in some areas where my license doesn't officially reciprocate if I show that I'm licensed someplace and have liability insurance. If it wasn't such a long drive, you might try this. Little towns seem to be a lot nicer in this regard.
Click to expand...

I agree about little towns... they can be very nice, particularly if you are up front with them. I'd put in a call to the local electrical inspector, explain the situation and ask straight-forwardly if there is an objection to you overseeing/helping sis with her upgrade.

Presuming that there will be an inspection -- and keeping in mind that anything but the simplest of old work jobs is bound to raise some items of discussion at that time -- you won't be doing yourself (or sis) any favors by being sly about it.

Also, I agree with your inital assessment that there are bound to be other issues that you don't yet know. I'd be surprised if whatever is downstream from a 60A service will be adequate for modern usage -- particularly in the kitchen.
 
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