something needs to be done .

[verhndy]

Has anyone else notice that weekenders have expanded there lack of branch circuit knowledge to service work. Went to a job to snake a circuit ( cant teach that online or at the depot ) . went to cut in the circuit , the panel had been changed . It couldn't have been done by anyone who had any basic electrical knowledge, they left out the main breaker. its upsetting me when I go to a job and tell the homeowner that they have code violations that are dangerous and need to be corrected and i get . its been that way for awhile and never had any problems . We need an awareness program through or with insurance providers. Any thoughts ?

 

[raider1]

I moved this thread to the electrical contracting forum. This really is not a low voltage-limited energy topic.

Chris

 

[iwire]

We need an awareness program through or with insurance providers. Any thoughts ?

I think a homeowner has a right to work on their home.

Do you do carpentry, painting or plumbing around your own home?

 

[480sparky]

Best we can do, as professionals, is point out the problems to the customer and give them a price to fix it. If they decline, we're under to obligation or legal precedence to fix it.

If it's a truly serious violation, I will have the customer sign a release form stating the defienciency and declaring that they have not allowed me to fix it. CYA.




Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

[ultramegabob]

I dont get upset when I see code violations that belong to the customer, I just make them aware of the issue, and make note of my observations on the bill.

 

[ceb58]

Best we can do, as professionals, is point out the problems to the customer and give them a price to fix it. If they decline, we're under to obligation or legal precedence to fix it.

If it's a truly serious violation, I will have the customer sign a release form stating the defienciency and declaring that they have not allowed me to fix it. CYA.

And the fact that you are serious about not being responsible for the violations and making them sign off on it may be enough for them to rethink the situation. They may see at that point it not something some one is trying to BS them on.

 

[480sparky]

And the fact that you are serious about not being responsible for the violations and making them sign off on it may be enough for them to rethink the situation. They may see at that point it not something some one is trying to BS them on.

Exactly. As soon as they see that form, and I say, "This is to protect me in case something happens and your insurance company comes after me....."

 

[cowboyjwc]

We just talked about this in a meeting last week. While the police and the fire depts all have out reach programs, building and safety is often over looked when it comes to public safety. We are talking about it, but the way things are right now there would be no way to fund a program.

After the last big earthquake, the fire department would not go into one of the buildings until another inspector and my self went in, with just flashlights and hardhats mind you, and declared the building safe.

 

[electricmanscott]

Has anyone else notice that weekenders have expanded there lack of branch circuit knowledge to service work. Went to a job to snake a circuit ( cant teach that online or at the depot ) . went to cut in the circuit , the panel had been changed . It couldn't have been done by anyone who had any basic electrical knowledge, they left out the main breaker. its upsetting me when I go to a job and tell the homeowner that they have code violations that are dangerous and need to be corrected and i get . its been that way for awhile and never had any problems . We need an awareness program through or with insurance providers. Any thoughts ?

Get used to it. It's not going to change.

 

[ElectricianJeff]

its upsetting me when I go to a job and tell the homeowner that they have code violations that are dangerous and need to be corrected and i get . its been that way for awhile and never had any problems .

Just like that bridge up in Minnesota where several people died.....

 

[hardworkingstiff]

Just like that bridge up in Minnesota where several people died.....

That's a bit different.

I guess the next thing is we should not allow anyone to change the brakes on their cars/trucks. You know it needs to be done by a professional so that they don't fail because of poor workmanship.

Oh yea, you need a professional the change a light bulb to make sure you don't use one that has too high of a wattage.

I think a homeowner has a right to work on their home.

I agree with Bob.

 

[electricdave]

I was in an attic on a sevice call a few years back when I noticed that an apparant addition to the home had the recept drops wired in lamp cord! I alerted the HO and he informed me it had been like that for 40 years. I told him I guess I can't argue with that. I finished the job I was there to do and went on my way.

 

[ElectricianJeff]

That's a bit different.

Not in the least.....I hate it when a customer tells me something doesn't need to be repaired because "its been that way for years and has never caused us a problem" when its obvious it isn't right or much less safe.

 

[growler]

Has anyone else notice that weekenders have expanded there lack of branch circuit knowledge to service work. Went to a job to snake a circuit ( cant teach that online or at the depot ) . went to cut in the circuit , the panel had been changed . It couldn't have been done by anyone who had any basic electrical knowledge, they left out the main breaker. its upsetting me when I go to a job and tell the homeowner that they have code violations that are dangerous and need to be corrected .

In many areas the snaking of a circuit will require a permit. If the electrical inspector considers the violation ( no main breaker) to be a hazard then he will write the homeowner up and they must get the problem corrected.

If I think something is hazardous I mention it when I call the inspector just to make sure he doesn't miss it.

I don't worry about it unless I think it's something serious and maybe " children" will be hurt. I know I shouldn't use the children as an excuse but I see no reason for children to be burned just because parents are ignorant.

To tell the truth I don't have much of a problem with homeowners it's rental property owners that refuse to pay to have anything corrected, most homeowners want to protect their families.

 

[mattsilkwood]

Not in the least.....I hate it when a customer tells me something doesn't need to be repaired because "its been that way for years and has never caused us a problem" when its obvious it isn't right or much less safe.

thats quite a bit different the bridge incident was a matter of public safety. if a homeowner wants to do his own work i believe he has that right.

 

[480sparky]

Just like that bridge up in Minnesota where several people died.....

So, how many DIYers worked on the bridge?

On the flip side, professionals built the Titanic.... amateurs built the Ark.

 

[mattsilkwood]

professionals built the Titanic.... amateurs built the Ark.

i like that

 

[growler]

On the flip side, professionals built the Titanic.... amateurs built the Ark.

There was nothing wrong with the way the Titanic was built the problem was the way it was operated. The professional seaman listened to management.

The ARK on the other hand was designed by the greatest of all architects and had the best insurance and protection available. Couldn't even be damaged by an act of GOD ( it was his pet project).

 

[wireguru]

I was in an attic on a sevice call a few years back when I noticed that an apparant addition to the home had the recept drops wired in lamp cord! I alerted the HO and he informed me it had been like that for 40 years. I told him I guess I can't argue with that. I finished the job I was there to do and went on my way.

ugh i hate hearing "its been that way for THIS LONG and ive never had a problem"

i respond with "yes, and you can drive home drunk every night but eventually something is going to happen"

 

[Karl H]

I agree,Every homeowner has the right to work on their own home,
electrical,plumbing,etc. There is a degree of responsiblity that I think is
overlooked. If my neighbor were to go down to the BIG box store
in search of expert electrical advice on the "Do-It-Yourself" method of installing a circuit for his/her new electric dryer.To save him/her the
cost of those "Expensive electricans".Then lets say undersized the
conductors,maybe gave a staple that last hit that cut into the insulation.
Short-circuit,Ground-Fault,occurs. Now the house is on fire.While the
fire dept is en route,my neighbors fire,catches my house on fire.

We are neighbors in a Condo complex.One Sat I get drunk and decide
to do some plumbing.Monday morning we both come home from work
to find both of our condos are flooded. Now, I have great insurance,
but, you have to live in a condo with concrete floors,no drywall,
water damaged funiture,etc. for 3 weeks.Oh, and that old family
album that you and your wife had been sorting thru and adding
pictures to hand down to the next generation.Well you left it on the
living room floor on Sunday so that you could complete it Monday night.
Gone forever. You guys get the point.We as homeowners,do have the right to
work on our own homes.But,we don't have the right to put
our neighbors homes at risk.