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Electrical permit

matt60j

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Nov 25, 2006
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249
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MICHIGAN
What is the biggest drawback of not getting an electrical permit? I installed a 100A panel in my barn and I'm just wondering if I should get it inspected.
 
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Slick6

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Feb 20, 2008
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Location
ND
Besides being illegal, I'm guessing your insurance wouldn't cover your losses if something happened. I don't think it's worth it to try to work around. If you installed it to code or better, you should not have to worry about it passing inspection. My 2¢.
 

Stuart in MN

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Sep 8, 2005
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Minneapolis
The biggest drawback would be if there was something wrong with the installation and you electrocuted yourself. Next would be the building burning down, after that a fine and maybe they make you tear it out and do it over again.
 

His200HerScout

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Mar 17, 2009
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mid-michigan
insurance might not cover the barn if you make a claim, you might be on the hook if someone gets shocked or otherwise hurt (even down the road, a future owner might find you and sue you if something goes wrong)

my rule of thumb is: if it's not your trade, you oughtta at least have someone with experience take a look at it (and in my area the inspectors are extremely helpful).

also, i know someone who built a barn and finished it without a permit. then he made the mistake of ******* off the township board over an unrelated issue. then they found out about his barn and decided to go after him. they made him poke holes in the (drywalled, mudded, and painted) walls for inspection. they even went to court over it beforehand and the judge said "yep, cut holes in the walls for inspection."

not trying to scare you, just telling you a story that happened in my area (of michigan).
 
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matt60j

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Nov 25, 2006
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MICHIGAN
Yeah, thats what I figured. I guess I got a little ahead of myself. I know everything is good to go so I pulled a permit today. The only issue I may have is that the wire is already buried. Thanks for the feedback! -MATT
 

kbs2244

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Nov 11, 2006
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This is both a legal and safty issue.
Is the building in a area where you need a permit?
Sometimes in an AG zoned area you don't.
If you should have had one, I would get one.
A permit is a kind of tax that goes towards paying for the inspection.
So not getting one is a kind of tax evasion.
And goverments don't like that.

If you are exempt from permits and inspections it comes down to if you did it safely or not.
If you are not sure about that, a check out by a pro would be a cheap way to get some peace of mind.
 

Tscott

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Oct 17, 2006
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Location
Keystone Heights, FL.
Inspectors around here (Fl.) are typically far from professionals, and their inspections are less than thorough. Having said that if you are up to code and don't mind paying the fee, then go ahead and get it inspected. Chances are you will pass and then you won't have to worry.

Tom
 

mrb

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Dec 31, 2008
Messages
3,734
describe how you installed the panel (what wire size, 3 wire or 4 wire, etc) what code cycle youre under, and show us a picture of the inside of the panel.
 

Aceman

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Jan 28, 2007
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Eastern Oregon
I know everything is good to go so I pulled a permit today. The only issue I may have is that the wire is already buried.

You need to put that 4-wire mobile home feeder wire in conduit where it LB's through the wall and feeds your new panel.
 

autoclassicnut

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Nov 24, 2007
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Location
Montana
I had several people tell me don't get it inspected , you don't need to, you're far enough out of town, and it isn't connected to your house.... Why deal with all the hassle.
Like the comments above, "peace of mind and having myself prepared for the outcome... Plus, all of my stuff will be in there!
I pulled the permit, had it inspected, (the power company required a permit to install the drop-down power box.) I wired the rest to my main breaker box and to the subpanel etc... I had never done this before, I've removed buildings and water lines on work sites before , never installed them. I asked plenty of questions at the power company before running the wire to the shop. They were more than willing to point me in the right direction.
I looked at several books and online info, asked several electricians at work because I was nervous.
It was the only way to trust the outcome. It is worth "the hassle."
The inspector was great, he pointed out a few things I needed to redo. Now I'm good to go out there with no doubts, I recommend permits and inspection whether it's required in your area or not.
Hey, I learned a lot and had fun doing it.:thumbup:
 
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matt60j

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Nov 25, 2006
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MICHIGAN
Passed inspection a couple days ago. $85 for peace of mind. Pretty reasonable! -MATT
 

ddawg16

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Jul 11, 2008
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S. California
Glad it all went well.

One thing overlooked by many in regards to permits is the re-sale value....

Say your the one buying a house that has been re-wired.....if permits were pulled then all should be good. If NO permits were pulled, how do you know it was done right? If you have already put down a deposit....it's your walking papers to get out of the sale and get your deposit back....or it becomes another tool to get the price down....

If your the seller, it makes it harder to sell the house.....

Moral of the story.....permits are well worth the money.....
 

4-RunDog

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Mar 12, 2009
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55
Location
Oregon City
* Highjack * Can a home owner that is not an electrician pull an electrical permit and do the work himself and have it inspeted? Thanks.
 

His200HerScout

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Mar 17, 2009
Messages
217
Location
mid-michigan
* Highjack * Can a home owner that is not an electrician pull an electrical permit and do the work himself and have it inspeted? Thanks.

Probably. In my area, yes, and the inspector is very helpful. In your area, check with your city, township, building department, etc. Where are you located?
 

2LTim

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Nov 9, 2008
Messages
143
Location
Central Iowa
Glad it all went well.

One thing overlooked by many in regards to permits is the re-sale value....

Say your the one buying a house that has been re-wired.....if permits were pulled then all should be good. If NO permits were pulled, how do you know it was done right? If you have already put down a deposit....it's your walking papers to get out of the sale and get your deposit back....or it becomes another tool to get the price down....

If your the seller, it makes it harder to sell the house.....

Moral of the story.....permits are well worth the money.....

A reputable home inspector will tell you tons about the entire place. Thats why it's a good idea to have any future "Offers" include the phrase, "Pending satisfactory inspection report."
 

nate379

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Feb 2, 2009
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Location
Palmer, AK
Sorta kinda on that.

If you did the work correctly and there are no ugly retarded WTFs on it, I bet a home inspector wouldn't even notice.

I have found a few things done in my house that weren't to code and it passed electric and plumbing inspection just fine along with home inspection.


It's illegal according to?? Some places don't require permits.
 
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