Electricians

[ddawg16]

Finn McMissile: My apologies, I haven't properly introduced myself. Finn McMissile, British intelligence.
Mater: Tow Mater, average intelligence.

I knew there was more to you than met the eye........

 

[tfi racing]

Yes an electrician is in the category of a higher intelligence. QUOTE]

Thanks for the laugh,best one I have heard all day...
My question is higher intelligence than what? Plumber? Mechanic? Physicist? Clerk at 7-Eleven? Sheep?

 

[jrsulo]

He's not on drugs, you were warned and didn't listen. I gave you a temp ban, hoping that you would learn and be a productive member of GJ. Apparently, I was wrong and you failed to learn, even with your higher level of intelligence.

Garage Journal is a great place for professionals and DIYers to learn and to help each other. It's not a place to piss, moan and ***** about he said/she said.

This isn't the site for you, I suggest, since you are bored, to find another place to hang out.

Good job !!

 

[tomsmith]

I'm in the process of finishing my basement and am just about done the wiring. A few weeks ago, when I was about 80% complete, I called in an electrical contractor to give it a once over and see if I've missed anything or inadvertently done something a bit silly. I had unscrewed each receptacle so he could see exactly what I had done and made sure there were no obstructions hiding anything.

He 'passed' me with flying colors and said it was better than most work he sees from his colleagues. He was particularly impressed with my use of pigtails for the receptacles and the way I had calculated the load per circuit.

I'm setting up a fairly decent home theater system and had all the components split over 2 15amp circuits. The rest of the basement was reserved on another circuit (e.g. hallway receptacles, and lights) and the gym area was also on it's own circuit (2 x treadmills, LCD TV, WDLive box and elliptical machine).

Now, I am by no means an electrical professional. I've learned from this board, Youtube and general common sense. The difference between me and a professional is this:

1. I'm not charging myself by the hour or job. When I run wire, strip cable or attach electrical boxes, I can take my sweet time.
2. If something goes wrong, I will have myself to blame and don't have the luxury of not returning phone calls etc.
3. It's my house, I want it to be perfect.
4. I'm not wiring some super complicated system. It's a basement. I'm sure there are situations that I would not even attempt (e.g. nuclear power station, hospital etc.) but the only jobs DIYers are doing is in their own house.

However, I do appreciate the professionals because without their expertise and willingness to share their experience, we DIYers wouldn't necessarily know why pig tails and screws are better than jamming wires into the spring clamps on receptacles.

For the record, I'm calling the contractor once I'm fully done for him to re-check my work. Yes, it's $150 per hour but it's an hour very well spent for my peace of mind.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

$150hr for residential work?

 

[Evan(CA)]

$150hr for residential work?

I imagine he's charging him more because it's only an hour. It needs to be worth his gas and time to get to the job, look around for an hour and drive back home. If only I could charge 150hr 40hrs a week.....

 

[Xicaque]

Australia does not allow DIY electrical, the US does.

they don't???! wtf?

 

[Xicaque]

I agree with Zeke. It often takes a long way around but it gets there.

x2. I trust some of you.

 

[walrus]

I'm glad I don't do residential work and this thread is the reason why. If you can do better than a pro, then why call them? do it yourself and save some money.