home owners: city inspection on electrical work, contractor need to be there?

[LordSnailz]

We're getting our electrical panel upgraded from fuses to breakers and wanted to get permit for the work to make sure the job was done correctly. But the contractor said that he'll have to charge $80/hr, min. of 4hrs. to sit and wait for the inspectors to come.

I know I can get the permit myself, but I was wondering if the contractor has to be there as well.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

no, he shouldn't need to be, but it's preferred. Did he give you a lump sum price for the upgrade? If so, he should have included the permit cost (and the inspection requirements) as part of his bid.

 

[crystal]

I don't see why he has to be there. You get premit -> contractor does the jobs and leave -> you get inspect -> got to step 2 if something is wrong or to profit.

 

[LordSnailz]

yup, it was a lump sum upgrade so the permit wasn't included. Cool, I'll go this route then. thanks guys

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: LordSnailz
yup, it was a lump sum upgrade so the permit wasn't included. Cool, I'll go this route then. thanks guys

wait...he DID or didn't include a permit? If he's a reputable contractor, he should have included the permit where required unless your municipality allows the homeowner to pull it for the electrician. Not all do.

 

[richardycc]

if you get the premit yourself, you are responsible for all the screw ups. dont do it.

 

[Kelemvor]

Depending on ho wmuch work you are having done, some Electricians will tell you $xx without a permit or $xxx with the permit. For something as important as your whole house being upgraded, I'd have them get the permit. But I would NOT have them there for the inspection as there is no reason for them to be there. The inspector should give you a report of anything that is wrong and you then call the contractor to come fix his fvck up work and do it right this time.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: LordSnailz
yup, it was a lump sum upgrade so the permit wasn't included. Cool, I'll go this route then. thanks guys

Seriously, it sounds like this should be included in the price for a job like this. How else are you going to be sure that the electrician performed the job correctly?

 

[Tifababy]

On our city's building safety website it says that if you hire a contractor it is his/her responsibility to pull the permit and you should not pull the permit yourself. The electrician does not need to be around for the inspection, but it should be the contractor's job to schedule the inspection (typically the inspector will call you to find a time when you will be home).

I'm in the process of finishing my basement and I hired a plumber and he pulled the permit and scheduled the inspection. But I was the only one home at the time of the inspection. If something was wrong, the inspector would have called the contractor to fix the problems.