Question:
I just wanted to report a very successful experience with a quasi DIY
proejct on installing electricity in my workshop. I recently have
built a workroom starting from an existing carport and had to install
a new sub-panel. I live in Rockville Md and one issue is that
according to local building codes, all electrical is to be installed
by a Maryland certified electrician. There's a two stage process for
electrical permits, where you get inspected once for rough wiring and
then after you close in the whole room.
I have built the whole room myself. Because of the cost of paying
somone to do the job entirely according the book, I looked into
recruiting some help on doing the job myself. Then my wife remembered
a friend that was an electrician in Ohio and after a quick phone call
he agreed to come out and give me a hand. Jeremy spent the weekend at
our place and showed me how to install a 100 amp subpanel, many
outlets and light circuits, and two 220 volt outlets. Unbelievably, he
charged me notta, except for travel expenses and I had to pay for all
parts. Okay so not everyone would be so lucky with that.
But having done the wiring on a less than typical way, how to get the
electrical work signed off by the county building inspector?
Answer:
I know this goes on all the time, but your contractor could and would
loose his license if this information was relayed to the authorities.
You on the other hand could be told to tear out everything you have done
and more than likely would never receive a final on your addition.
There are also fines that could be levied against both parties.
You stated that "all electrical is to be installed BY a Maryland
certified electrician.". That is the intent of the law. I wouldn't
pass along this information to anyone, just lay low and enjoy the
savings.
It isn't my intentions to be they Moral Cop, but what you did could get
someone in trouble if they dried the same
You sure about that? It's been a few years (well, 15), but when I lived
there, you could do your own wiring if you passed a written exam. The
exam itself was pretty trivial - open book, where they even supplied the
book.
This is a wonderful thing for you. I hope you can understand now why
electricians are one of the lowest paid trades in the industry. In 1967 an
avg. of all the trades in construction revealed that electricians were the
highest paid. Electricians have SHOT themselves in the foot. Now the avg.
electrician lives in a sorry neighborhood or trailer, has to work two jobs
( Ususlly side jobs driving the prices even lower ) making an avg. of 12
dollars an hour. This doesn't include any benefits. No wonder quality
electrical work is getting harder to find. No wonder there is an avg. of
40,000 house electrical fires a year. No wonder the code book has gotten
thicker and thicker.
It was your wife's "friend" that drove from Ohio to Md, and stayed the
weekend. Are you sure you look like a genius to your wife? Pretty good
friend to charge you notta, but then what you don't know, wont hurt you.
