All electrical service should be enclosed, entirely, in metal, with the metal (boxes, EMT, etc) grounded.
Takes more time and costs more, but it works.
Is it about doing the quickest job or making the most money or doing the SAFEST job for the client.
These people are PAYING for the job and deserve to be served.
If it costs more, thems the breaks.,
When a client complains about my prices, I ask them:
a) What to you want me not to inspect?
b) Will you sign this limitation of liability agreement, exempting me from inspecting some thing that might kill you.
People (Read: The General Public) have to be educated that:
a) There are bad GCs and sub-contractors out there. Don’t relay of the local municipality or the “codes” to protect you. They don’t. (Note: Please read the most current Illinois corut rulings.)
b) You get what you pay for. (if you can’t afford the insurance, don’t buy the car.)
c) How much to you want to pay? You are buying a 2.3 Mil house and you want to go cheap on the 10 electrical receptacles you want to add to the 1918 house with friggin’ Knob and Tube in the attic? You don’t want to upgrade 60 amp service just because the house had 2000 SF added to it? Sign this disclaimer, right here, then we can talk.
d) This is what you want to pay for buys you, in terms of safety.
e) Don’t rely on the local codies to protect you.
f) Don’t come back and sue me for you being cheap!
P.S.
I have had WAY to many clients who want me to recommend the cheapest ‘electrician’ or ‘handy man’ or “Do you know a guy” to do the required work.
I tell them, “How much is your family’s life worth. Give me a ballpark figure. Do you mind getting your dog fried as long as the kids are safe?”
I try to EDUCATE.
Thankfully, most of my clients get it.
Hope this helps;
