Electrical Permit - Contractor Info Not Added

We worked with an intermediary to hire an electrician. We ended up filing for the electrical permit ourselves with the city and tried to add him to the permit as the contractor. But we were told that his license was inactive and they couldn't add him. We ended up talking with the intermediary, who we hired this guy from, and they said it was a mistake and that he had 2 other licenses that were active. They said that he would call the city directly and add himself. However, he never added himself to the permit and the city now won't let us add him as the inspection has already been scheduled. What are the negatives for us not adding him to the permit?

 

IME without a licensed contractor there is no permit. A licensed contractor needs to pull the permit.

 

Not sure how Washington State handles their permits, but we can, as homeowners, file for our own permits as "general contractors", and sub whomever we want. If all work is done to code, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and the inspector finds it in order, he passes it. It is squarely on the homeowner's shoulders, however, and can result in the hiring of professionals with licenses to make it right.

Your intermediary has hoodwinked you IMO. Hopefully it won't be an expensive lesson.

 

I think the biggest negative will be that the job will not pass inspection. Permits and inspections are handled differently in most areas. Where I live the permit wouldn't have been issued to the homeowner at all unless the homeowner passed a test and did all the work himself, except homeowners here aren't allowed to do services. Also, in this area for a contractor to do the work the contractor must be licensed and take out the permit himself under his company license.

 

This is a little confusing. It sounds like the work was performed and is ready for final inspection.
This is no time to add a contractor to permit. If the work passes, you're fine. I would ask the inspector though to be vigorous and most wouldn't have a problem with that.

A warning to homeowners:
Seems east coast and west coast are a little different. In CA, any homeowner can apply for an "owner/builder" permit. They can perform any work covered under permit (or sub out), but of course it must be performed at a journeyman level and pass inspection.

There are many DIY homeowners that can perform at journeyman level, maybe even better than some pros.

The point: Do not hire a professional that wants you to pull an owner/builder permit. Pulling a permit is their job and if they shy away from that, red flag.