I hope I'm not going to be too controversial, but I have a question.
Suppose I own a house in a city which requires a permit for any electrical work. What happens if I go ahead and carry out modifications within my own home without getting a permit or requesting an inspection? Who is going to know that I've even added lights, moved receptacles, or whatever?
Even if it was seen at a later date during some other inspection, and assuming my work was up to NEC & local codes, how would anyone know I'd done it without a permit? I'm sure that every City Hall can't possibly keep records of the electrical systems of every home within the city limits!
I can see how the permit/inspection system can work for new construction, major commercial jobs, etc., but I don't see how it can be enforced for the average person carrying out work on his own home.
