Milla Miller on sat 9 aug 03
In a message dated 8/9/2003 7:40:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
putitinink@YAHOO.COM writes:
> For interest's sake, the best quote I've gotten on
> I have had a lot of personal construction experience and have learned from
plenty of mistakes and one i now understand is to have the plans and
specifications in writing before asking for bids and making certain the bidders are all
bidding on the same apples vs apples and oranges.I found often each one has a
different solution to a given problem and you can learn a lot listening to
them but a lot of the tradesmen I encountered doing smaller jobs like we ofen
require are often what might be jack-leg operators who have ''unique'' ways of
approaching jobs that are not always what you reallly should go with.it would
be in your best interest if you go to a library and get the electric code book
and make sure the electricans have some industrial work in their background.I
also found it is very important that they have workman's compensation and
insurance that covers you if they get injured on your property and that you see
the insurance coverage and call the insurer to assure yourself it covers your
type of work and your job and is indeed inforce.[MANY CONTRACTORS LIED ABOUT
THIS].If YOU CHOOSE TO GO WITH SOMEONE NOT COVERED AND ONE OF HIS EMPLOYEES
IS INJURED BE WARNED HE WILL OWN YOU.The cost saving will be lost fast.A
fellow I employed had an employee hurt on his next job,permanently disabled , and I
had not checked the operator's liscense expiration date myself and the next
fellow who hired him was sued for huge bucks.I then swore I wasn't going to
knowingly let that happen to me.
ANOTHER QUESTION ON YOUR JOB THAT JUMPS OUT OF ME IS THE RUN UNDER YOUR CRAWL
SPACE.I hate long runs[they are better than splicing ,of course], not only is
there a power drop and added costs but there are more chances of wire getting
damaged when it is unseen and under a dwelling is not comforting.if you must
run it long in that way I MIGHT CONSIDER USING A CONDUIT, EVEN THO IT MAY
NOT BE REQUIRED BY CODE.That would give a measure of safety that would make me
sleep more soundly.Make sure before you decide on any bid [where bidders are
giving differing /solutionsopinions] that you take any questions to the
building inspector that have arisen and listen to his opinion as he will have the
last say anyhow when you get it inspected.Always have the contractor pull the
permit and read it before he begins as shady contractors make cute statements on
them I found that matter.The other thing I warn is check if the contractor's
liscense is current and that you check his references and get a large number
of them and ask them if their ojb was similar and if it was inspected and had
they heard of any other customers having any difficulty with the
electrician.Also check consumer affairs and better business bureau and the liscensing board
for any complaints and check out what those complaints out.It also is sometime
wise to contact materials suppliers who he deals with.I also found if they
have not paid for the amterials used on your job, even if you paid him,you can
be sued.Also make sure he pays his employees as they can sue you if he fails
to do so.One bad egg in a contracting project can make your life miserable for
a long time afterwards.A lot of those operators can be on the verge of
bankruptsy and that can have bad consequences for you.Some even have criminal
records or their employees do.Just be forewarned is to be forearmed.This world has
a lot of things we who are trusting can get caught up in that can really rock
our boats.Good luck.JUST BE AS SURE YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU REALLY WANT AND
EXACTLY WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND YES DO PLAN ON YOUR
FUTURE NEEDS NOW IT WILL COST YOU LESS AND BE SAFER NOT TO CUT CORNERS FOR CHEAP.
Margaret
this job so far (three quotes so far) is ~$900 (or
>
> $1000 w/all copper) and happens to be from this
> particular electrician. The other two quotes were
> $1300 and $2300. Quite a range! A friend's husband who
> is an electrician (works for the county for commercial
> work, doesn't do residential) came out and looked at
> the job and figured that materials would cost aboutre
> $300
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