Calling Electricians: Side Topic. Permits/Codes & DIY

[twinrider1]

Cliffs:
1. Homeowner contemplating DIY electrical projects.
2. Wonders about permits, insurance liability.

As a homeowner with some electrical projects on my mind, I've been reading the Calling Electricians thread with interest.
I'd like to update the existing panel:
1. Free up some panel space: tandem breaker, more efficient use of circuits.
2. Reroute two basement circuits to add lighting, outlets.
3. Run a 220v to the garage for compressor, table saw, future toys.

The issue is I can barely change a light bulb without having to pull a permit. And it looks like any contractor has to carry a bond, continuation cert, and $500k insurance. Also, I've heard where years later an insurance company wouldn't pay out if they discovered work done without a permit.
I know there are the written rules and there is what happens in real life. I'd like to talk to the local code guy and get a feel for what they allow, but I don't want to get on his radar. Ultimately, I'd like to do my own work and have a licensed electrician (friend of a friend) look it over.

So I'm looking for your experiences, how things work where you live, etc.
Thanks.

 

[Modelworks]

The issue is I can barely change a light bulb without having to pull a permit. And it looks like any contractor has to carry a bond, continuation cert, and $500k insurance. Also, I've heard where years later an insurance company wouldn't pay out if they discovered work done without a permit.
I know there are the written rules and there is what happens in real life. I'd like to talk to the local code guy and get a feel for what they allow, but I don't want to get on his radar. Ultimately, I'd like to do my own work and have a licensed electrician (friend of a friend) look it over.

So I'm looking for your experiences, how things work where you live, etc.
Thanks.

The first thing you need to do is go to your local building permit office and ask for a copy of the rules for homeowners , they vary for every city.
After you have done that then you should buy a copy of the NEC NFPA book, the latest is the 2011 version and study it cover to cover. It has everything you need to know.

http://www.amazon.com/National-Elect...339412&sr=8-15

Most cities allow a homeowner to do their own wiring but will not allow you to do wiring for anyone else whether paid, unpaid, supervised, or whatever it just isn't allowed without a license.

Permits are required for anything that requires changes to the service panel. If you are just replacing something already there you don't need a permit, but if you change the ratings on anything, the wiring, etc you need a permit. The permit has to have exactly what you intend to do and drawings of what you plan to do like with the floor plan, where you intend to run the wiring, size of the service, wire sizes, etc are a plus.

Finally if you have a license friend get them to go over your work before calling the inspector as they charge for each trip.


Another thing to check into is if your local community college is offering electrician courses. You can sometimes take the basic courses for $50-60 each and get some hands on instruction.

 

[Squisher]

Like Modelworks said, get yourself edjamacated.

Now, in the most restrictive municipalities where they require an electrician to do the work, you can get by by doing all the rough in (running the wire, installing the boxes, etc.) and then call out the contractor to just basically install outlets and breakers, put covers on, and make connections. If you've done everything according to code usually contractors are pretty easy going. If the contractor says he's got to charge you anyway, call a different contractor. I did this and the contractor wanted to know if I wanted a job 🙂 Once you have have a contractor that is willing to go along with your arrangement there is no reason to divulge anything to the inspector since a licensed electrician is putting his rubber stamp on your work.

 

[Ryland]

FYI As a homeowner I pulled a permit to wire up my entire addition along with calling for the rough and final wiring inspections (which I passed both of). Use google to lookup anything out of the ordinary (3-4 way switches, etc). Take your time and test everything out.