Author Topic: What you Buy or DIY show off thread (Read 1626487 times)

Firm · « **Reply #3840 on:** November 24, 2015, 01:10:27 pm »

Jeez...I am all for doing things properly and safely, but adding an outlet is about as simple as it gets. If you're not comfortable doing something like that, then by all means get it inspected or hire an electrician in the first place. But I won't buy into the "licensed inspection" racket...Do you honestly believe that a "pro" who might have any number of distractions on his mind is somehow safer than an educated and competent homeowner who can take his/her time and make sure everything is done safely?

ArticSteve · « **Reply #3841 on:** November 24, 2015, 01:38:42 pm »

Quote from: wing on November 24, 2015, 11:26:10 am

LOL, following the code. I always do. Is there something illegal about putting a plug in the wall?

Just felt like needling somebody.

But just technically speaking, in Ontario a homeowner cannot make any addition whatsoever without taking out a permit which usually entails two visits from the Inspector on only one day of the week anywhere from 8:30 to 4:30 pm. Their fee schedule is so complex that I'm not going to bother looking at it to find the exact amount but it's probably about $140.00 tax in for a single thing. Electrical contractors pay about 1/2 that amount for the very same job, but if they are "top tier" the inspection usually doesn't occur.

My transfer switch fee was $270.

Normally, I would not take a permit out on "additions", but in the event of a fire either by electrical or NG source ANYWHERE in the house not related to the GEN, the Insurance Company would see the GEN and they would automatically ask for the Inspection Certificate. No certificate. No payout.

Other than fees $$$, some of the Inspectors can be real PIAs on the "letter of the code". I had a heck of a time with my Inspector over "unbonded neutrals".

IN SUMMARY, it is essential on these DIY wiring alterations and additions that you KNOW NOTHING and it was existing prior. Never confess to it.

wing · « **Reply #3842 on:** November 24, 2015, 01:42:13 pm »

Lol sure. I asked a friend who is licensed he said I did it correct. The bonus is after the fact it's so simple. You are too paranoid.

But if I was adding a transfer switch for sure I would get it inspected.

tenpenny · « **Reply #3843 on:** November 24, 2015, 01:46:03 pm »

Quote from: Firm on November 24, 2015, 01:10:27 pm

Jeez...I am all for doing things properly and safely, but adding an outlet is about as simple as it gets. If you're not comfortable doing something like that, then by all means get it inspected or hire an electrician in the first place. But I won't buy into the "licensed inspection" racket...Do you honestly believe that a "pro" who might have any number of distractions on his mind is somehow safer than an educated and competent homeowner who can take his/her time and make sure everything is done safely?

And that has what, exactly, to do with the regulations currently in place?

Firm · « **Reply #3844 on:** November 24, 2015, 01:53:07 pm »

Quote from: tenpenny on November 24, 2015, 01:46:03 pm

Quote from: Firm on November 24, 2015, 01:10:27 pm
Jeez...I am all for doing things properly and safely, but adding an outlet is about as simple as it gets. If you're not comfortable doing something like that, then by all means get it inspected or hire an electrician in the first place. But I won't buy into the "licensed inspection" racket...Do you honestly believe that a "pro" who might have any number of distractions on his mind is somehow safer than an educated and competent homeowner who can take his/her time and make sure everything is done safely?

And that has what, exactly, to do with the regulations currently in place?

You're right, I am not contesting the regulations - they are what they are and your interpretation of them is accurate.
I am just saying that they're silly and really only serve to generate permit revenue and keep the "pros" employed. I can totally muck up the brakes on my car on a DIY brake job and there is no inspection required. If I caused an accident would the insurance company try to dodge the claim? Maybe, but I doubt they'd have a leg to stand on....
I bet mechanics would be in favor of an inspection every time someone works on their brakes, auto insurance companies too...

quadzilla · « **Reply #3845 on:** November 24, 2015, 02:22:49 pm »

Quote from: Firm on November 24, 2015, 01:53:07 pm

Quote from: tenpenny on November 24, 2015, 01:46:03 pm
And that has what, exactly, to do with the regulations currently in place?

You're right, I am not contesting the regulations - they are what they are and your interpretation of them is accurate.
I am just saying that they're silly and really only serve to generate permit revenue and keep the "pros" employed.

Taken out of context to make it sound like the CEO at VW talking.

ArticSteve · « **Reply #3846 on:** November 24, 2015, 07:02:23 pm »

Quote from: wing on November 24, 2015, 01:42:13 pm

Lol sure. I asked a friend who is licensed he said I did it correct. The bonus is after the fact it's so simple. You are too paranoid.

But if I was adding a transfer switch for sure I would get it inspected.

You're missing the gist of this. The "code" is too over the top for simple jobs. In your case you fished some Romex thru some dry wall. No biggy. However, you violated the code. Technically, that Romex needs to be stapled to a stud behind the drywall. But that is impossible since you are just fishing it thru and "technically" the Romex could be resting on the drywall inside the wall cavity and some later owner could hang a picture in that spot and drive a nail thru the drywall and nail the Romex. Ok, this is extremely improbably, but technically it's contrary to the code and the Inspector would flag it.

So the point is just keep the alterations and additions to one's self because it's not the ESA one is concerned about, it's your insurance company, even in the case of a loss completely UNRELATED to the alteration.

I got an inspection for the Transfer Switch not for some Inspector to check my work. Because there is so much wiring it is virtually impossible to check it unless one took it all apart. I paid for the Inspection because in case of an unrelated fire/gas leak/what have you, the insurance adjuster will see the GEN SET and automatically ask for a Certificate just as a matter of course.

All my Inspector did was verify that all equipment was ULC or Canada approved and not to high or to low off the ground. Then he started in on me about "unbonded neutrals" and for a wee time there it looked like he was going to deny the job. So annoying.

wing · « **Reply #3847 on:** November 24, 2015, 07:38:58 pm »

Actually Steve you are wrong. You do not have to staple it to the studs when it's a retrofit. Look it up. My friend is a licensed electrician I asked him that very question.

Really the stapling is to avoid stupid people attaching drywall from hitting the electrical, once it is in the cavity it is okay to do. A licensed electrician will not staple either. So green flag

ArticSteve · « **Reply #3848 on:** November 24, 2015, 08:55:49 pm »

Actually Steve you are wrong. You do not have to staple it to the studs when it's a retrofit.

Ok. I'll take that as a fact.

Then to whom it may concern: remove all "home depot/home hardware labels" from receptacles and never admit it officially because everything requires a permit and any liability, no matter how remote, will come back at you.

Solstice2006 · « **Reply #3849 on:** November 24, 2015, 08:56:09 pm »

Quote from: wing on November 24, 2015, 07:38:58 pm

Actually Steve you are wrong. You do not have to staple it to the studs when it's a retrofit. Look it up. My friend is a licensed electrician I asked him that very question.

Really the stapling is to avoid stupid people attaching drywall from hitting the electrical, once it is in the cavity it is okay to do. A licensed electrician will not staple either. So green flag

"Actually Steve you are wrong"

We need a thread with that subject title!

ArticSteve · « **Reply #3850 on:** November 24, 2015, 09:00:23 pm »

Start one. Ok with me.

rrocket · « **Reply #3851 on:** November 25, 2015, 12:31:35 am »

Bought IQ a Shark Evoline 3 flip up helmet. Scored a perfect 5/5 for safety during SHARP testing. I've been wanting one for myself, but I came across a deal to good to pass up in her size. So she gets to be my Gear Tester.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #3852 on:** November 25, 2015, 10:43:54 am »

Quote from: Airbalancer on November 20, 2015, 01:28:26 pm

Getting me a cold rush machine

Crazy Greenshield, we phone Greenshield to see if my benefits cover this machine ,
they said yes up to $300. to buy it locally it would have been about $350 plus shipping,
I found a place in Alberta and it was $299 including shipping. So I got it online from Alberta,
put the claim in , greenshield would only cover $250 since it was bought out of province .
That is just crazy

blur911 · « **Reply #3853 on:** November 25, 2015, 11:12:41 am »

Quote from: Firm on November 24, 2015, 01:10:27 pm

Jeez...I am all for doing things properly and safely, but adding an outlet is about as simple as it gets. If you're not comfortable doing something like that, then by all means get it inspected or hire an electrician in the first place. But I won't buy into the "licensed inspection" racket...Do you honestly believe that a "pro" who might have any number of distractions on his mind is somehow safer than an educated and competent homeowner who can take his/her time and make sure everything is done safely?

I believe a homeowner is allowed to change a switch or a light fixture without an inspection, but that's about it. Receptacles are highly technical devices apparently

Solstice2006 · « **Reply #3854 on:** November 25, 2015, 11:49:31 am »

Speaking of switches. I just changed the one in the powder room. Got sick of the kids asking me to turn on the light for them. Put in an occupancy sensor. Set it to go off after 5 min. Will probably do that for the basement as well.

rrocket · « **Reply #3855 on:** November 26, 2015, 05:38:10 pm »

New beard oil on the way!! The place in the US I normally bought my stuff at is no loner affordable with exchange, increased shipping etc. All said in done it would come to $70 now for a mere 30ml.

I am very pleased to have found a Canadian beard oil maker that has stellar reviews. http://www.mammothbeard.ca/

For those that care...I'll keep everyone posted!

johngenx · « **Reply #3856 on:** November 26, 2015, 06:29:33 pm »

Got these gloves for darling-daughter as part of her X-mas gift basket. Best gift ever for a ski instructor?

http://www.outdoorresearch.ca/ca_en/lucent-heated-glovestm.html

rrocket · « **Reply #3857 on:** November 26, 2015, 06:37:25 pm »

^^Love them because of lifetime, no haggle warranty. Although a bit expensive for gloves IMO.

johngenx · « **Reply #3858 on:** November 26, 2015, 06:42:55 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on November 26, 2015, 06:37:25 pm

^^Love them because of lifetime, no haggle warranty. Although a bit expensive for gloves IMO.

I really put gear through the wringer and found OR quality to be top notch, but when something does go sideways, I've never had better customer service from ANY company regardless of product.

And yeah, they're expensive. Sometimes I splurge. I have a pair and they're frickin' amazing.

pi314 · « **Reply #3859 on:** November 27, 2015, 10:20:59 am »

Black Friday was expensive.

Ipad Air 2 ( $100 off at staples)
Klipsch Headphones
250GB SSD
Bluetooth Dongle
And a Moto X Play (though that is admittedly something whose cost is mostly covered by warranty)