What can I do to save on installation?
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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What can I do to save on installation?
I am going through a renovation and all electrical work will be completely new. I will be upgrading to a 200 Amp pannel with all new electrical from that point. I was hoping to get an electrician to rough in the house for me to the point of inspection. Once the drywall is up, I can do the rest. Is this something that I can finish with out a license?
#2
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Originally Posted by douglasbhahn
Is this something that I can finish with out a license?
#4
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Good point, Joe. I was thinking it would be a homeowner-pulled permit. I agree. If I pull the permit; I FINISH THE JOB through final inspection.
#5
Originally Posted by MAC702
If I pull the permit; I FINISH THE JOB through final inspection.
Folks tend to not realize if we pull the permit then our name is on the whole job.
#6
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Originally Posted by douglasbhahn
Once the drywall is up, I can do the rest. Is this something that I can finish with out a license?
If you're lucky enough to live in a sufficiently-libertarian jurisdiction, and you are competent to do the branch circuit wiring yourself, just get your own separate permit for the branch circuits. You may be able to get a contractor to do the service and "Rough-In Only" but I doubt you'll save much money there since the final is the easy part.
Otherwise, if you cold call and tell prospective contractors that you want to do some work yourself under their permit, no one is going to bite. I would have contractors come for estimates and bring up the possibility of you doing some wiring work at that time or after the bids are in. If you bring it up after the bids are in, and they are willing to adjust their bid, that will of course tell you how much you're saving. But good luck finding someone who wants to refigure a bid on a small job.
Also expect to demonstrate at some time that you are well-versed in the code and detail-oriented.
#7
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If there is the possibility in your area, you could pull the permit yourself as the "owner/occupier". You could here, anyway. Then, the permit is YOURS, and you can hire an electrician to do the rough-in only.
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2005
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Couldn't trying to come in and finish after the rough work cause significant problems? I'm thinking three-way and four-way switches, split outlets, switched outlets, etc., could cause untold headaches even for an experienced electrician if they are not familiar with the particular job and the work that had been done initially. Unless there are detailed schematics and then it should be okay. But I think an inexperienced person would still have problems. I'm in the middle of a full rewire and I know I would if I tried to finish what someone else started. And I'm an electronics technician/engineer.
Which makes me ask - do you pros map out the whole house and do detailed schematics including your junction boxes and everything before you start a full rewire? Or do you guys know enough to do a simple schematic and go from there? Just wondering.
Steve
Which makes me ask - do you pros map out the whole house and do detailed schematics including your junction boxes and everything before you start a full rewire? Or do you guys know enough to do a simple schematic and go from there? Just wondering.
Steve
#9
No schematic here at all.
I map the place out in my head and go room to room or area to area.
I guess I am encouraging someone else finishing my work.
I make up all splices and grounds, twist all my switches and 3-ways very obviously, hook all my device wires, mark my GFI line sides.
A zombie could finish one of my jobs.
In fact they have...*evil laugh* muhahaahaahaahaa
I map the place out in my head and go room to room or area to area.
I guess I am encouraging someone else finishing my work.
I make up all splices and grounds, twist all my switches and 3-ways very obviously, hook all my device wires, mark my GFI line sides.
A zombie could finish one of my jobs.
In fact they have...*evil laugh* muhahaahaahaahaa
#10
Member
I'm with Speedy. All MY wiring is "made up" during rough-in and is very obvious in the box as to what it does.
BUT, I have done LOTS of being the second guy on the job and wondering what the FIRST guy was thinking...
BUT, I have done LOTS of being the second guy on the job and wondering what the FIRST guy was thinking...