ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area I'm done with doing favors

I tried to do a guy a favor and it comes back to bite me in the ass. A fairly new contractor asked me to wire a small project, but when the estimate was given he didn't have anywhere near the budget($600). He convinced me that he was capable of wiring, but needed a permit. I told him as long as he did exactly what I told him and let me inspect the work, I would pull the permit after I looked at it. He did as I told him and made a few minor corrections. Then the day I was to get the permit he calls and needs to add a 30 amp 220 outlet for HVAC. I told him I would have to do the work, it needed to be wired to the meter base disconnect and needed conduit. He couldn't wait, but after he couldn't find anyone else, I told him I would come on Saturday and I wanted ca$h. He agreed and on the friday I pull a permit for the work he did plus the 220 outlet.

On Saturday I received a call saying don't bother coming the homeowner got tired of waiting(1 day) and had someone else do it. Well, now I have a permit that includes work I didn't do or supervise. So I went to the house to look at the work that was done and it did not meet my standards. It was a little sloppy, but the biggest problem I had was that he double tapped the lugs on the 150 amp disconnect and put another disconnect on the wall. First I doubt the lugs are rated for more than one conductor, but second he mixed CU with AL.

So first thing monday morning I went to the AHJ office and had them make a note that I had nothing to do with that item and please take it off my permit. They did and told the inspector that there might be a problem. I talked to the contractor after the inspector came and found out that he didn't even look at the electrical work other than to note that the outlets were properly spaced. I as much as told them to look closely and they didn't look at all.

Anyway, I've made 5 trips to the job site, 2 trips to the AHJ office and $43.50 for the permit, spent almost an hour on my cell phone, and gave the guy 2- 3" pop-in boxes. All this for $150 (I was suposed to have 2 trips to the job site plus the permit fee and nothing else). It just goes to show you no good deed goes unpunished.

I feel your pain. I get frequent requests to pull permits and always refuse ....except for a journeyman that needed to rebuild his service after a lightning strike. He did a good job but it was not worth the hassle.
Among other things, I called for an inspection and they were not home. That'll get you a red tag every time.

"Tell your friends." Sometimes that's all you can do is warn others {not to make the same mistake.)

EE,
sounds like the AHJ could have backed you up a tad more than S/He did.

Always remember "No good deed goes unpunished"