State Certified Sparkie

[sfigert]

Two new service panels installed in 2006, 80% of house re-wired, & all circuits checked OK.
This is what the sparky's bill said right on it. I did check & he does have a state license.
A few of my findings. Several reversed wired recpticals some on properly wired circuits, cover plates missing, ungrounded recpticals on properly wired circuit, then the shocker the "panels".

[Marc D. Shunk]

Turn him in. Seriously. Weed out the hacks. Posting pictures for educational purposes is certainly a good thing to do, but permanent corrective action can only come from forwarding these sorts of findings to building and licensing officials.

[sfigert]

Marc, I understand what you mean here. Although I was working for a buyer that is good friends with the owner, I'd end up the bad guy. I explained everything to my client, advised them that I would help the owner to get the problems fixed, if they wanted. This is only part of the things that killed the sale, but now that the owner knows about it, they should include it on their disclosure form.The owner by the way is a realtor, do you think they will disclose it?
I agree, the contractor should be turned in. I on the other hand believe it is the responsibility of the home owner to do this. I'm sure that the contractor was a friend. Like I said I'd be the bad guy, and it would get around. If word of mouth works, it will get back to the sparkie soon enough.

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by sfigert

If word of mouth works, it will get back to the sparkie soon enough.

So it's better to let workmen like this persist, and just cry about it on a forum? I see. There are ways to do this so your name is out of the picture. Of course, leaving this guy alone assures work for you in perpetuity.

[sfigert]

The state of Ohio has no residential licensing, just commercial. The contractor does however hold the commercial license. The county and town of Paulding is so back woods, I could show this to the commisioners, and they wouldn't see the problem. So who could I even turn this into? The State of Ohio just in 2006 enacted residential building codes. The owner would have to go to court to do anything. And you know in this economy that isn't going to happen.
Yes it would be interesting to see what would happen if the owner wanted to do something. Just the threat of contacting the state might scare him enough to do some corrections.
I'm still tring to get my client to push the owner/friend to do something. After all the loss of a sale, an attorny, and telling the court that this contractor "killed" the sale. Ouch that might hurt his wallet.

[tdietrich1]

Marc,

First let me say, you are right. Having bad trades people doing work, makes us all look bad, as well as risk property and human lives.

Second, not being an Ohio inspector, I was recently taught here in Pa, it isn't unusual for an construction inspector to get arrested. The 'old-timers' would demand to see work in question, and get handcuffed for tresspassing. So unless the seller is willing to drive the issue, it's dead.

I don't agree with it, just pointing out Scott needs the home owner to make the call. We aren't a policing agency.

tom <not a lawyer>

[jtedesco1]

Send me the original pictures, without the notes on them and I will publish them in EC&M in my columns noting the city and location, no names, and sent by a concerned citizen.

What's Wrong Here?, by Joe Tedesco, EC&M

[iniquette]

You wouldn't be the bad guy, you did your job. the best approach would be to talk to himpersonally, and show him exactly what you say is wrong.

[David P. Valley]

Great job Scott,



I see this sort of shoddy workmanship in "New Construction" and always recommend that the Electrician return to correct any wrongdoings.

[sfigert]

As I have said before IMO it's the home owner's job to get electrician back. If they need assistance I'm here for them. For a slight fee of course.

[sfigert]

3/29/08 Just recieved a call for the home owner today. He was more concerned about the water under the house than getting screwed by his electrician buddy. When I mentioned it he said "Oh yea could you come over and show the electrician what you mean?" I told him "Of course I can, I'll bring my consulting contract with me for you to sign first." He said "Forget it, I thought you would do this for free since you did the inspection." So I told him "Yea, but you weren't the one that hired me."
He hung up.