prowannabe Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 42 year old home, overhead electrical entrance. Would you say this main panel is ok considering the age of the home or would you write it up as needing to be evaluated and repaired by an electrician? Click to Enlarge 36 KB
charlieb Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 I'd say it is unsafe, improper and in need of correction.
Neal Lewis Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 I would tell them to fix the double tapped cables into the main lugs. I don't care who does it as long as they get a permit for the work.
prowannabe Posted October 13, 2012 Author Report Posted October 13, 2012 Thanks Charlie. Thats what I put in the report but the electrician the seller called said it's fine and now they don't want to repair it due to the $800 cost to upgrade the panel.
kurt Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 This is why it's important to know what's wrong with it; kicking it to an electrician means it's going to their electrician, who probably did the work. They're not going to condemn themselves. Unless you can line item what's wrong, and challenge the electrician to respond in writing to specifics, you're always going to get that sort of answer.
Marc Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 The electrician also has a conflict of interest. He benefits from the sale if he tells the client the panel needs replacement. Panel replacement is a quick money maker. That's enough for many of them to say 'ya gotta change it'. I'm with Neal. Correct the double tap. I can't discern any issue with the disconnect from the photo alone. Marc
John Kogel Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 Those lugs are designed for one large gauge conductor only. This 'electrician' says that it is alright to have those smaller gauge conductors tapped in there? Have him put it in writing that it is safe and correct, otherwise, your client wants it repaired.
Marc Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 My last report had this at the end of an electrical recommendation: Don't listen to the electrician. Just tell him to do it. Marc
Jack Davenport Posted October 14, 2012 Report Posted October 14, 2012 My last report had this at the end of an electrical recommendation: Don't listen to the electrician. Just tell him to do it. Marc unless your a highly proficient and a licensed master electrician that knows 100% about the electrical industry including theory and the electrical code and you never make a mistake I would leave that statement off the reports.. But for a person who never worked in one trade for more than what a year or two - I assume you know everything...............
Jack Davenport Posted October 14, 2012 Report Posted October 14, 2012 42 year old home, overhead electrical entrance. Would you say this main panel is ok considering the age of the home or would you write it up as needing to be evaluated and repaired by an electrician? Click to Enlarge 36?KB If you know it is wrong then leave off the evaluated part and write it up as correct the incorrect wiring.
Marc Posted October 14, 2012 Report Posted October 14, 2012 My last report had this at the end of an electrical recommendation: Don't listen to the electrician. Just tell him to do it. Marc unless your a highly proficient and a licensed master electrician that knows 100% about the electrical industry including theory and the electrical code and you never make a mistake I would leave that statement off the reports.. But for a person who never worked in one trade for more than what a year or two - I assume you know everything............... I don't know everything. No one does. As for your recommendation, would it be better to leave the issue to an electrician who knows only how to make a buck? That's my motivation for that statement. I've worked with many electricians and don't want to leave my client in their hands. It'll reflect poorly on me in the end. Marc
Marc Posted October 15, 2012 Report Posted October 15, 2012 My last report had this at the end of an electrical recommendation: Don't listen to the electrician. Just tell him to do it. Marc You expect Harry Home-Owner to set an edict, a decree or proclamation issued by an authority and having the force of law, to tell the electrician to just "do it" based on their experience of an association with a home inspector? (you) that lasted less that 2 hours. While the wording sounds tough think about it. Yeah, well...happy to see I've awakened a few brethren. Yep, I was recommending to my client that he find an electrician to simply complete the instruction as I gave it or find one who will. That's something I do once in a while in my reports. And no Terry...I don't need to think about it any further, thanks. BTW, I don't understand half of what you posted. Next time you might keep it down to the undergrad level. Marc
Terence McCann Posted October 15, 2012 Report Posted October 15, 2012 Broke a promise to myself - sorry Marc.
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