? for Texans

[57210]

I'm getting ready to move outside Ft. Worth. The place I'm buying is going to need some electrical upgrades. I'll need to add some 220 for my A/C and welder.
My question is will I have to have the work done by an electrical contractor or can I get the required permits and inspections myself?

 

[mrb]

I dont know what the owner builder requirements in TX are for sure, but I do know that Texas has adpoted the 2008 NEC for all unincorporated areas. If you are in an incorporated municipality, you need to see what their local code is.

There is a common misconception that 'texas has no electrical code and you can do whatever you want'

 

[TheShrine]

There is a common misconception that 'texas has no electrical code and you can do whatever you want'

We don't all wear cowboy hats and ride horses either!

Like all states, in Tejas, it depends on the codes in place where you build. You may not need permits and inspections, but a good contractor is recommended unless you are capable of completing you own project. If so, go for it! There will be some that will attempt to discourage you, but it is usually by those who don't have an option and/or the expertise. Contact any local contractor, they will be intimately informed on the geographical need for inspections/codes/contractor.

With that being said....."code" is always a good way to go. Good luck!

 

[v8garage]

I'm getting ready to move outside Ft. Worth. The place I'm buying is going to need some electrical upgrades. I'll need to add some 220 for my A/C and welder.
My question is will I have to have the work done by an electrical contractor or can I get the required permits and inspections myself?

What we need to know here before we can answer your question is are you in a municipality or out in the county? If you are not in a municipality you do not have to have a permit or an inspection and can do the work yourself (if you know how of course and still needs to be done to code). If you are in a municipality you are supposed to hire a licensed electrician.

 

[ddawg16]

What we need to know here before we can answer your question is are you in a municipality or out in the county? If you are not in a municipality you do not have to have a permit or an inspection and can do the work yourself (if you know how of course and still needs to be done to code). If you are in a municipality you are supposed to hire a licensed electrician.

Actually, it varies from city to city....kinda like dry counties...some you can buy beer in...some not....

If you in a city...go down to city hall and ask to pull a permit....they will either give it to you or ask who the contrator is..

Regardless...get a permit....if you ever sell the house and use the upgraded electrical as a selling point....if you don't have permits for the work...the potential buyers have a valid reason to back out of the purchase (even if they have put down a deposit), or they use it as leverage to get the price down....

Look at this way....if you were buying a house and it had the electrical 'upgraded'....you would want assurances that it was done right....as in permitted.

 

[mrb]

We don't all wear cowboy hats and ride horses either!

Like all states, in Tejas, it depends on the codes in place where you build. You may not need permits and inspections, but a good contractor is recommended unless you are capable of completing you own project. If so, go for it! There will be some that will attempt to discourage you, but it is usually by those who don't have an option and/or the expertise. Contact any local contractor, they will be intimately informed on the geographical need for inspections/codes/contractor.

With that being said....."code" is always a good way to go. Good luck!

I wasn't making typical stereotypes about texans.....

It IS a common misconception that there is no code, since the NEC was just adopted by the state in Sept 2008.

 

[v8garage]

Actually, it varies from city to city....kinda like dry counties...some you can buy beer in...some not....

If you in a city...go down to city hall and ask to pull a permit....they will either give it to you or ask who the contrator is..

Regardless...get a permit....if you ever sell the house and use the upgraded electrical as a selling point....if you don't have permits for the work...the potential buyers have a valid reason to back out of the purchase (even if they have put down a deposit), or they use it as leverage to get the price down....

Look at this way....if you were buying a house and it had the electrical 'upgraded'....you would want assurances that it was done right....as in permitted.

Unlike places like California rural Texas is not regulated to death yet. If you are in a rural area like where I live there isn't a permit or a place to get one, so "regardless get a permit" doesn't apply. I live close to Ft. Worth and I know what the situation is here and that is the area he is asking about. Still don't know if he lives in a municipality or in the county.

 

[mrb]

Unlike places like California rural Texas is not regulated to death yet. If you are in a rural area like where I live there isn't a permit or a place to get one, so "regardless get a permit" doesn't apply. I live close to Ft. Worth and I know what the situation is here and that is the area he is asking about. Still don't know if he lives in a municipality or in the county.

right, many areas dont have permits (MAN do I wish i lived somewhere I could just build anything I want)

BUT in these rural unincorporated areas any work you do DOES need to comply with the 2008 NEC

 

[v8garage]

right, many areas dont have permits (MAN do I wish i lived somewhere I could just build anything I want)

BUT in these rural unincorporated areas any work you do DOES need to comply with the 2008 NEC

Yes, always build to code!

 

[mrb]

Yes, always build to code!

yep. Cannot stress how important that is. Fires are often deemed caused by electrical even though theyre not. Cat knocks over space heater onto gasoline soaked newspapers? Electrical fire. If any wiring is found that is not to code the insurance company will refuse to pay.

many people think that if its not getting inspected it doesnt need to be done to code. ive seen some scary stuff...

 

[62 bird]

Codes or not, best thing you can do is keep records of materials used and many photos of work done.
There are many members on here very smart in Elec. codes.
best of luck to you.
62 bird

 

[57210]

Thanks for all the response. I just got back. The house we're looking to buy is on an acreage west of Haslet on the NW side of Ft. Worth. It's listed as Tarrent county.

 

[rinny_tin_tin]

We don't all wear cowboy hats and ride horses either!

Like all states, in Tejas, it depends on the codes in place where you build. You may not need permits and inspections, but a good contractor is recommended unless you are capable of completing you own project. If so, go for it! There will be some that will attempt to discourage you, but it is usually by those who don't have an option and/or the expertise. Contact any local contractor, they will be intimately informed on the geographical need for inspections/codes/contractor.

With that being said....."code" is always a good way to go. Good luck!

"We don't all wear cowboy hats and ride horses either!"

Nor are ya'll that big

 

[MikeN]

Gee.. I just added a 220v circuit and oversized the wiring to the plug. Took all of an hour, and no permits, etc.

 

[TheShrine]

Nor are ya'll that big

Depends on who you ask and what you're measuring!