Owner took issue when I wrote up the electric panel

Inspected a home - the owner “is a builder” found out they work for a contractor… too issue when I called out a double-tapped breaker. They tapped into the “range” breaker to install an outlet below the panel in the garage. It’s a 40-amp breaker, installed outlet is marked for 30 amps.


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That breaker can’t be double tapped, bad match up of amperage, and no clamp or strain relief where it passes through the bottom of the panel. Also what size is that wire on the bottom right 30a breaker? It looks smaller than 10ga. Is the home owner a plumber…

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NEVER modify or misrepresent the facts. Another electrician will likely throw you and your business under the bus and your reputation is toast.

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It’s funny, because just a quick glance at the panel, you can see what work was done by a legitimate sparky, and which was done by the homeowner. Or a plumber, lol.

Side note: I’m not a big fan of the zip strips around the NM cables. Some sparkies take things a bit too far.

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Misrepresent the facts?

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Randy is saying, regardless of what the owners says, stick to what you see and know. At least I think that’s what he’s saying.

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I took him (Randy) as saying the owner shouldn’t be BSing :man_shrugging:

I’m guessing he (the owner/roofer…electrician wanna be) added outlet for a compressor/man slaughter cord for his generator. :wink:

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They took issue with you doing your job. That’s hack work pure and simple.

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What is the rest of the story? Is there a dispute? Do they have a reputable source that documents the double tap is OK, such as the manufacturer?

In my experience, owners will push back often on anything they can. In which 99% can be ignored unless your client specifically ask for you to reinforce your opinion.

For me, that would be a simple and short phone call. “The owner is wrong. Have a great day.” or “What did the qualified licensed electrician I recommended for correction say about the condition?”

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Same old story. I assume your cient was the buyer. Advise them to get the builder/owner to submit an electricians letterhead and signature, dated, saying it is alright. Don’t see ‘sparkys’ bundling and zip tying all those cables. That’s DIY work!

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Actually - when the buyer’s agent presented it to them, they gave the old - “It’s been like that…” but this was pretty much the worst issue found, and I wouldn’t leave it off the insurance 4Point report, so “as is” it is uninsurable… thus break the deal. So they swallowed the pride and agreed to get it fixed ASAP.

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Did they fix everyting else wrong in the panel?

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I have seen it done many times on new builds and old…they also trimmed the Romex properly before doing it! :slight_smile:

I can’t remember when I ever held a conversation with the seller that called with a report complaint. .
They need to satisfy concerns of the buyer, my client, not with me.
If they have a complaint, I’ll look forward to meeting their lawyer.

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You can not double tap breakers regardless of what this guy says. There is a lot of corrosion in that panel too. There are a few exceptions in Square D breakers.

Unless the owner is also your client, the owner’s opinion is irrelevant.

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Oh, I agree - I expected it, and it went in 1 ear and out the other… owner resisted making repair as it, like most used home sales, is “as is”… until they realized this made it “uninsurable” and thus they were killing their own sale… supposedly, they had an electrician there yesterday. I’m expecting a call back to check the repair…

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Which is why I’ve told many clients, that an as is contract is no such thing. If you can’t get insurance, neither will anyone else. So somebody’s doing some repairs somewhere.

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That simply means the seller is unwilling to do repairs. Agents try to act as if it’s a “done deal,” but everything is negotiable. The whole point of a Home Inspection is A) to avoid a nightmare purchase, and B) to negotiate the purchase price. It’s all about the money not who does what.

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What George said. :arrow_up:

In Ohio, I am not permitted to discuss my findings with anyone except my client without written permission to do so.

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