Any tips to attract a contractor?

[Rc_Guy]

I'm also in Minnesota and I've done almost all of my own electrical work with permits and passed every inspection first time. The idiot inspector would not allow homeowners to install solar themselves even though the state would allow it. He retired and the new guy allows homeowners to install solar. I know some would just avoid getting the permit, but they aren't that expensive in the big scheme of things. (Certainly if I replace a switch or outlet I am not getting a permit.)

I replaced the meter base and I couldn't avoid a permit that time if I wanted to. The power company would not reconnect me without a permit and passed electrical inspection.

About ten years ago my main breaker overheated and was bad, I pulled the electric company tag on the meter, pulled the meter, put in the new breaker and put the meter back on, I thought the power company would say something next time they read the meter but they never said anything.

 

[rburke65]

High heels…low cut blouse, red lip stick….

 

[dcg9381]

I do my own shop electrical work, some residential work, and have done commercial work for solar, but I can "only" work in jurisdictions that do not require license. In those that do require a master electrician, I have to come to a straw man arrangement (usually with an electrician that won't touch solar) and piggy back on that.... It really "should" be about passing a (detailed) inspection. Then again, there is liability to the grid and people with a license carry the type of insurance necessary to cover the home owner and utility if a big boo-boo is made.

 

[MushCreek]

I've never lived in a place where you couldn't do your own work. Here in SC, I designed and built my own house. I did everything- electrical, plumbing, even HVAC. The inspectors didn't care who did the work. In fact, they were very complimentary about the quality of the work I did. The one rule is that if you build your own house, you can't sell it for at least two years. I guess they figure if it didn't burn down by then, it was probably OK. Some of the 'pros' around here are real hacks. A friend of mine had a house built by licensed contractors, and that place had more code violations than a hobo village.

As for attracting contractors- I agree that most contractors don't want any homeowner help. I know I wouldn't. I can't get anyone to commission a mini-split that I plan to install. I want it leak tested and vacuumed down prior to opening the valves. Paying them to do the full installation is more than the cost of the mini-split, and puts it out of budget for me.

 

[Firebrick43]

I'd wager that almost "no" jurisdictions (at least those that require a permit/inspection) alllow home owners to do the work of a "professional" trade. That being said, here - there is absolutely nothing preventing the home owner from applying and getting the permit. Essentially you're operating in a GC capacity. Permits are a pain in the *** and to get the guys that are working for builders and those associated non-consumer rates, you've got to behave like a builder. The permitting process can take days, especially if a revision is needed, and that's time that doesn't make sense for a small job. Not saying this works elsewhere.

We can do almost every thing here in most counties of indiana as well. And in my county a permit takes 15 mins max to pull the permit.

 

[LeonardY]

Where I live, homeowners are allowed to do their own work. The local building department is very friendly. For certain improvements they had drawings and the codes that need to be followed. I've gone in and asked questions and they have been very helpful.
One guy was a bit testy with me, but asked to see my drawings. He did red-line the drawings and told me to comeback with the drawings updated.
When I was swapping out my panel, I submitted the application. The only question I got was, "Are you doing this yourself or are you having an electrician help you?" I said a friend who was an electrician was guiding me. She said she only asked because it's dangerous.
I got the permit right there.
The inspection was easy because it was the same person who I submitted the permit to.

 

[mikedodge]

Most don't want the job because you're doing all the work and it's not worth their time for what's left. Then there's a potential of being more of a waste of their time if there's a problem with the work you did and you start blaming them. Don't take that the wrong way, it happens all the time in job sites if two different contractors are overlapping each other.

The best solution might be to post a wanted ad on Craigslist or wherever looking for a licensed electrician to do some work. You'll probably find some non union guy happy to do it on the side for some extra cash.

 

[PoorUB]

Most places the homeowner can do most anything in his house, but often installing a service panel a licensed electrician is required. After he is done and signed off the homeowner can have at it.

 

[paredown]

Yep--we're allowed to do our own work on our personal residence, so long as we sit for an exam and pass it. Still gets inspected like everyone else, and here in NY State all electrical inspections are State, not local jurisdiction. (I think as noted above, it does not include your own service panel.)

I did a panel move/replacement with a pro--he quizzed me (actually it was my wife who bore the brunt--"you can't make the wires longer" was one of his comments...) and when he figured out that I had a clue, and that I had indeed figured out what and where, then we agreed on a price with me helping. He asked me how long it would take me working by myself (I think I said eight hours), and then we set a price--finish by noon with my help, I'd owe him $***; if we finished later (meaning I wasn't any real help) the price went up.

It ended up being a good day--I was the bottom guy working the crawl space--and I had the holes drilled in the wall plates, and we hit no real snags--and the panel is an art piece--all the runs run and bent perfectly into the breakers, all the feeds ziptied together.

And we finished at noon, and he didn't have to crawl around on his hands and knees in the crawlspace...

 

[FMB4]

The other problem with DIY mixed with 'pro' contractor work is the 'come back' issue. Most contractors want nothing to do half-done DIY jobs. Not saying it's 'fair', but that's just the way it is imo.

 

[sparky 1971]

Change the scope of work. Tell the EC that you want power run to the building and need enough done to satisfy the AHJ. When it's signed off on, then you can go in and do whatever you want. I've done this a few times. Set the panel, install the bare minimum to meet code, get paid and leave. I wouldn't/don't have a problem with people doing their own digging. I don't have a trencher and never will. I either have to rent one or hire someone to do it, prefer the latter. If I were to show up and the ditch is already there, me so happy. But it better be the way I said to do it.

 

[Jsf721]

Nobody wants to put their name on a permit and have the home owner now matter how capable muck things up and ruin his good name all while making little $$ in a market that is on fire.

I asked a cleaning person how much to clean the house. They gave me a hourly rate. I said how many hours does it usually take. She said I’ll tell you when I’m done.

I said really ? Or your joking ? Then I said Ok let’s try it and see I’m sure you will be fair. She never showed up and said I e got other customers that understand the value of my time. I guess I offended her ?

 

[Glemon]

"I'd wager that almost "no" jurisdictions (at least those that require a permit/inspection) alllow home owners to do the work of a "professional" trade. "

I don't know overall but all three states I've lived in allow an owner to do most anything on their owner occupied single family dwelling. I don't recall details - in 1980s - but was fine in New Haven CT. In Illinois, too much farming that legislature said owner can do it. Now I NY, I guess same rural farming tradition, I can do just about anything (except design septic - but I can install it). What a country!

The truth is somewhere in the middle where I live, either the homeowner or a licensed contactor can do most any simple electrical or plumbing (still has to pass inspection/code and more complicated stuff needs a plan approved in advance) but installing a panel or anything before the panel requires a licensed electrician.

 

[billconner]

I have to say I like the NY system. Electrical inspectors are independent contractors under State authority. A major kitchen remodel was $25 in permits and fees to town, but electrical inspection was $150. On the other hand, I could call on inspector with questions on what was acceptable, what previous owner non-code items had to be corrected, and could he come take a look. Not at all bad for a diyer wanting to do it right.

 

[Uncle murph]

From all the folks who have asked about finding a contractor for their given build, finding a licensed contractor that will give you the time of day is a major challenge. I know when we built our house and barn a few years ago, it was like pulling teeth just to get an estimate, much less have somebody show up to do the work.

Currently I'm trying to get power run to a new shop (didn't want to post this in the Lighting section since the topic here is contractors in general) and I'm striking out big time. I've told them that I can do the trenching, will install the circuits afterward, am willing to do the physical installation of the panel, and would even be their grunt for anything while they're here - I mainly need them for the permit. Of the 8 electricians that I've managed to get on the phone (and not voicemail), most say they aren't interested. A few simply don't "get back to me" like they promise. Nobody will give me a solid reason other than "we're really busy".

To me, this seems like easy money. A day's work, charge a grand or two, and they'd be on their way... but all I'm hearing is crickets.

I live in a pretty active construction market, between a housing boom and some high-profile data centers going in around this region. Maybe I'm just out of touch... is this just the reality of the world today with all of the "housing crunch" that's taking place? The dwindling numbers of kids going into the trades? If this is the case, permitting bodies are going to need to alter their restrictions by allowing more homeowner installs for things like this.

Really, I'm trying to understand what the issue is and if anybody has some advice for how I can make my project more "attractive" for somebody to book my job. Soooo very confused.

Either you do ALL the work or let them do ALL the work.If at some point down the road someone is injured or a fire starts thats electrical in origin,it lands right in the electricians lap,they’re smart to walk away from what you’re proposing.

 

[LOW1]

Have you asked around to see if there are any electricians who “moonlight” small jobs?

is this a new service with a new meter or is it a sub panel off an existing main panel? If it’s a sub panel and you can legally do so it should not be too hard to diy.

Otherwise you are going to have to bite the bullet and hire someone to do the full job or at least put the panel in.