Walk-in closet lighting

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davewants2

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I'm starting to see a trend in new construction in my area (South FL)of not including lighting in walk-in closets (6-15' deep), but charging extra for it. The ahj seems to have no problem with ommiting lighting in these large closets. I've looked for and found only a reference to required lighting in all habitable rooms. This seems to circumvent the intent of the code to provide safety. Anybody know of any other references? I guess these builders are using this ambiguity in the code to increase their profits. Is this going on any where else?
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

I don't know the answer as to how widespread the practice is, but lighting in closets has always been optional.

One might argue that the size of the room may qualify it as being habitable, but in reality the decision may come down to what it says on the Blueprint.

Bill
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

Not required in central florida,but most homes with a closet that size have them.I wouldn`t want to find something in the back of a closet that size without a light.
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

I guess these builders are using this ambiguity in the code to increase their profits. Is this going on any where else?
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Just a curious little side bar to this situation, are you working from a set of drawings ? If not, how do you bid the job to begin with ? At least with a set of drawings everyone bidding has a chance of bidding on the same items. If not, you're shooting from the hip. If you have drawings and there is no electric shown, IMHO someone is ducking their responsibility and asking you to take the responsibility of doing the design. If you choose to do that then that's your option.

Up here in NJ I always get a set of drawings before I bid a job. They may not be 100% accurate but at least it's a start. I ask a lot of questions like a) is there A/C and if so, how many and what size? b) pool,spa, hydromassage etc ? c) microwave, sub-zero refer, instant hot.............and so no.
If it's not on the drawings........ IT'S EXTRA !!!
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

Goldstar
I'm not doing the work. I'm a GC who just does Home inspections for folks buying homes and occasionaly repairs. Closets that size down here have always had lighting, whether required or not. A good builder provides lighting in a room (closet)that size. My current house (1961)has standard 22" deep closets and they have lights installed. Call me paranoid but I always think about safety / liability when ever I do something. For the $65 bucks it cost, IMO its foolish to allow some 65 yr old retiree to decline this which could come back to bite you in a lawsuit. Remember you don't have to be in the wrong to lose.
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

When I do houses (Its very rare I do houses, no profit in them) I work very closely with the home owner. I make a lot of suggestions, like in this case the light in the closet, I also suggest a switched recepticle or two in the eves of the house for christmas lighting, and other conveniences I have encountered in my years of home wiring. I guess if I were an electrician and the builder didnt spec a light in that size a closet, I would put one in out of my own pocket. The cost isnt that great for a small flourescent with a pull chain. The home owner will thank you for it and you will have the pleasure of knowing you did your best job in spite of losing a few dollars.
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

When I do houses (Its very rare I do houses, no profit in them)
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There has to be some profit. There are an awful lot of new houses buit every year. Someone must be wiring them to earn a living.
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

Kinda off topic but....
I followed up on a house inspection report about 2 weeks ago....
Fixed various stuff, not waterproof boxes outside and the like...
1 was raw wiring in closet.
What it was was rough-in wiring for an early (70's), low-voltage heat detection system, wrapped around a nail so sheetrock could not ignore. It had never been completed, and a 18-2 loop was still sticking out of the sheetrock in the B/R closet.
I pulled the nail out and pushed the wire into the attic.....
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

By Irollo,
When I do houses (Its very rare I do houses, no profit in them) I guess if I were an electrician and the builder didnt spec a light in that size a closet, I would put one in out of my own pocket.
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Could it be this is the reason you don't turn a profit doing residential work :eek: .
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

When I do houses (Its very rare I do houses, no profit in them)
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I guess if I were an electrician and the builder didn't spec a light in that size a closet, I would put one in out of my own pocket
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Irollo,

I'll admit that you probably won't make the kind of money you want to if you're wiring houses for a track builder and installing the bare minimum. But, if you're wiring custom houses you can make the money you want to on extras. I'm a sport when it comes to installing an extra receptacle or two at my own expense but installing a fluorescent fixture is quite another thing. It's not merely the $ 65.00. It's the $ 65.00 for that fixture, the additional $$ to run a 50 amp line instead of a 30 amp line because the builder forgot to mention it was a 5 ton AC unit instead of a 3 ton, and, oh yes, remember that bathroom in the basement.........there's a sewer ejector pump that wasn't shown on the drawings that you'll have to wire, etc., etc.

What I'm trying to say is that if that closet light fixture were the only item that was left off the drawings and you want to install it at your own expense.....that's your call. But, from my experience, if the light fixture was left off the drawings then it's quite possible that other items were (inadvertently) left off the drawings. And, it always seems that no one prior to you arriving on the job wants to take the onus for the omissions but it's you, the electrician, who ends up with a potential lawsuit because you didn't install a light fixture in a closet.

The long and short of this is that although we're all here offering our own opinions and expertise, our first mission is to try to make money doing electrical work. Once we figure out how to do that then we have the NEC to guide us in doing it safely and properly. Doing what is safe and proper at your own expense is commendable but to try and make money after the fact is a long shot.

Just my opinion,
Phil
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

The profit in residential work is there,but you have to do volume.We project 2300 homes this year.Thats a lot of nm :eek:
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

Another thing about us electricians trying to make a buck or two.
My daughter is going to college ($39,474.00/year)and when we applied, they did not care if I was an electrician or financial person. What I am trying to say is that we have the same expences as anyone else, and if you do not make enough money your family will suffer as well as you.
This industry is becoming more complex every year and I say THANK YOU!! This makes us more valuable and I say that you should use it to you/your family's advantage.

Pierre
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

Have done many custom homes. Made some money at it also. Used to love them. Gave me a great since of accomplishment as the home progresses. I have ran into so many homeowners though that are just a pain to deal with that it has left a bad taste in my mouth, so to say. If I had my way about it, I wouldnt do new construction. I just love service work. I like the calls I go on when the person says "I have called everyone to come out here and you're the only one who got it working right." I guess what I am saying is, service work to me is fun and enjoyable. I like going to a job and not being there very long, depending on the problem. The ones I really like though are the ones that are hair pullers. The ones where you do all you know and you still have to work at it. I like to make my brain work and thats just fun to me. Otherwise if I have to do construction, I prefer commercial and industrial. Have a great day. ;)

[ November 02, 2003, 12:51 AM: Message edited by: lrollo ]
 
Re: Walk-in closet lighting

My daughter is going to college ($39,474.00/year)and when we applied, they did not care if I was an electrician or financial person
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AMEN.

I sent 3 fingers in last week !!!!!!

AND, they smile when they take you're money too !!!
 
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