By Eric Hedrich | 13th Sep 2024
You Can Be Liable for Unlicensed Electrical Work
Top 10 electrical contractors - Forums On Diagnosis & Repair -
Fanning the Building Code Fires
Some contractors might complain about having to follow local code, but it&;s in place for a reason – it helps ensure that any work done on your home is performed safely and effectively. Local code standards are particularly important when it comes to electrical work, because faulty wiring and connections can lead to short circuits or even an electrical fire, putting your family at risk. Worse, if your electrical system does cause a fire that leads to injury or death, you could be civilly liable for huge sums. You Can Be Liable for Unlicensed Electrical Work
07/30/15
Revamping your home&;s electrical work can be a big headache. Protect yourself and your home by holding out for competent contractors so you know the work is done right the first time.
That&;s why technicians who do electrical work are required to maintain a license, secure permits and schedule inspections for many home projects. And if your electrician isn&;t licensed, you have little recourse to correct the faulty electrical work besides paying out of pocket for someone else to redo the entire thing. If the work isn&;t up to code, you&;ll have to remedy the problem before you pass inspection. That could be the scenario you face, however, if you cut corners and don&;t hire a licensed electrician to take on the task. Unfortunately, there are electricians who are tempted to skip the code requirements in order to avoid the time and expense of compliance. Fly-by-night contractors might be cheaper at the outset, but they can cost you big time in the end if they don&;t follow the local building code, leaving you liable for the faults in your home wiring. Furthermore, you may have an easier time recouping your investment in the event of unsafe or incomplete work if you can prove that you did your due diligence and hired a licensed electrician.
Good Work Done Right
To avoid code and permitting issues, hire only licensed technicians for your electrical work and ask them to show you all the relevant permits. The last thing you want after a big electrical project is to have to tear it all out and redo the job all over again. They might quote you a lower price, but shoddy workmanship can leave you on the hook for a lot more money overall. Online discount electrical store near you for outdoor lighting, breaker box, wiring and other accessories.
Licensed electricians, on the other hand, have more incentive to follow the rules to begin with, since they could lose their certification if they don&;t. You need to find a qualified electrician and write what could be a hefty check for work that might require opening holes in your walls and temporarily making a mess of your home.
Limit Your Exposure to Liability
If your local government figures out that you are working on an electrical project, they can send an inspector to check it out
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