Originally Posted By: pmagrone This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
If I am inspecting a home that does not have a GFCI outlet in the bathroom near the sink I always report that the outlet should be replaced with a GFCI receptical. Here is the big question. If the seller askes me if I can talk him through switching the receptical and he happens to have one he already purchased, just how much assistance should I offer? If he asks me to replace the outlet, my question would be, has anyone had this happen and what did you do? What do you suggest that I do? I am not a licensed electrician but is changing an outlet something you need a license for? Obviously he offered to pay me but I turned him down because I felt fairly certain that this was not right. Am I wrong? I am a little embarrassed that I am not sure of the answer.
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Recommend a licensed electrical contractor and leave it at that. If you accept payment for work performed beyond the initial inspection, you are in violation of the Associations COE and possibly State Law.
If he gets electrocuted while you're "walking him through it," you are in deep doo doo.
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: mcyr This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Paul, I hope you are doing fine;
My opinion, do not touch it, for I could change that receptacle in a heart beat, but this is not what you are there for and getting paid for. Take it with a grain of salt and move on with your interest at heart. Leave wiring to a licensed Electrician and wash your hands of any potential mistakes that could hit you in the kazoo later.
Marcel
Definition of Experience: a whole lot of mistakes;
Originally Posted By: pdickerson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Paul,
I agree. You are the home inspector, not the electrician. If the guy is inexperienced enough to need help changing an outlet, he should hire a professional. I sure wouldn't want any liability when he messes up an zaps himself... or burns the house down.
Originally Posted By: bbadger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
pmagrone wrote:
am not a licensed electrician but is changing an outlet something you need a license for? Obviously he offered to pay me
Requirements for licensing are controlled at a local level so there is no one correct answer.
That said in my area to replace electric equipment while being paid for it requires a license. Strictly speaking permits and inspections are required also.
I think Jeff answered this question the best.
Quote:
If he gets electrocuted while you're "walking him through it," you are in deep doo doo.
Or burned, or the wiring in the box is bad, or you disturb something that was close to broken, or ........
-- Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
Originally Posted By: mcyr This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi bbadger;
I agree that requirements for licensing is mandatory, but is not localized to the local level. The NEC applies for the whole Country with local codes having the governing factor or last word.
A home owner can do what he wants in his own house, but it would be improper for a NACHI Inspector to provide this service. The SOP of our certification mandates that. The best answer to the question at hand, would be to recommend a licence Electrical to do the work.
It is fact, since I am a Commercial Builder, that a Residential Electrician that attempts to fix an electrical problem in an existing house, and by chance or mishap he fails to open the door on the subject, and fail to see problems behind the door and something goes wrong, He is Liable for the Consequences in the legal factor.
The Moral of the story here is, Although your are licensed and professional, the liability still exists if you did not open that door. The same would apply to us Home Inspectors.
I agree that requirements for licensing is mandatory, but is not localized to the local level. The NEC applies for the whole Country with local codes having the governing factor or last word. .
The NEC does not contain any requirements to be licensed, that is not what the NEC is about.
In my State (MA) the licensing is governed by the "Division of Professional Licensure"
In RI, another state I hold a license in, it is the "Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training"
In CT, still another State I hold a license in it is the "State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection"
In PA for example some areas do not require any licensing, in FL you need to be licensed by county.
Yes it is called the "National Electric Code" but it is only "The" code if an area adopts it as their code.
Chicago does not use the NEC at all but uses the Chicago Electric Code.
Back to the licensing, it is entirely up to each area how it is handled.
Some states require 8000 hours in the Field and 600 hours of school another state may only ask for a written test.
Quote:
A home owner can do what he wants in his own house,
Here in MA that is true with electrical but untrue for plumbing.
My point is only that this issue of license is entirely a local issue and has nothing at all to do with the NEC or the NFPA.
If I do electric work that goes bad I am covered by my insurance, if a HI does electric work that goes bad will they be covered?
Bob
-- Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
Originally Posted By: mcyr This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I apologize if I touched a nerve.
I have been in construction for over 40 years and have yet to reliaze why the NEC would not be recognized in any state.
It is a matter of ethics that anyone who wishes to enteract with the physical element of electrical work should abide by the NEC no matter where theyt are or which state and I reiterate that local codes still exist and is recognized by all states with the excepetion of Massachussets, that I almost fogot.
Originally Posted By: osmith This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I wouldn’t do it for the simple fact that it could become a HUGE liability issue for you. Its not worth it particulary if for some reason is doesn’t work properly or the seller gets hurt. Inspectors inspect and Electricians Elect?
Well, you get he point! Stick to what you are paid to do!
Originally Posted By: ddivito This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
When was the house built? If GFCI’s weren’t required, then only recommend that it should have one by today’s safety standards. Otherwise, you are acting like a code inspector which we are not.