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Rudbekia
Citizen
Username: Rudbekia
Post Number: 198
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 4:39 pm: | 
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To work in someone else's house, does a person need to be a licensed electrician. Is there a way to check without asking? |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 77
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 5:04 pm: |
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Short answer: YES!
Long answer: No, but...
According to the law, you may perform electrical work on your own home or that of your immediate family. Will they arrest you for helping a friend with his wiring? No, but it could come back to haunt you.
Using a licensed electrician not only means the person is qualified to do the work, it also protects you from problems if something goes wrong. Under NJ law, a licensed electrician must be bonded in the amount of at least $300,000 to cover property damage and, additionally, carry at least $300,000 in liability insurance. This protects you not only if they accidentally burn your house down, but also if the worker gets zapped working on your house. If they're not licensed, you could be liable on both counts.
HOWEVER - this does not mean the person actually doing the work has to have the license. Under NJ law, an apprentice can do the work as an employee of a licensed electrician. (Many plumbing companies work this way also). Perfectly legal, and it means you have someone with a license (allegedly) supervising the work and (more importantly) responsible if it goes bad.
The easiest way to check a license is online on the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs web site: http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/consumeraffairs/search/searchentry.pl
You can also call the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors at (973) 504-6410.
More than anything else, don't be afraid to ask for an electrician's license number - and then check to make sure it's valid.
If anyone won't turn it over, or gives you some excuse, or it doesn't seem to add up, RUN! Electricity is too big an issue to trust to novices.
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Rudbekia
Citizen
Username: Rudbekia
Post Number: 199
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 5:18 pm: |
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Well, he's not in there. The guy doing the work in my house brought him in. Crap. |
Rudbekia
Citizen
Username: Rudbekia
Post Number: 200
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 5:23 pm: |
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Is there any licensed electrician out there who would come by tonight and give me an estimate? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 9116
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
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What kind of work is being done? If the contractor pulled a permit and there is a permit for electrical, it would have had to be completed by a licensed electrician.
If the "electrical" guy is doing little things like putting up light fixtures, then he doesn't necessarily need a permit. But he should fall under your contractor's insurance and permit. Which should make your contractor liable for his work. I think. |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 78
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 8:57 pm: |
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Just because the "electrical guy" himself isn't listed doesn't mean he's not working under a valid license.
Greentree is right: were permits pulled? If they were, then you know a licensed electrician had to sign off on them.
Other important questions: does the "eletrical guy" show up in an unmarked car, or does his car/van have a sign on the side indicating the name of the firm he's with? (Any sign should also have the license number he's working under. It's not uncommon for a company to have a single "master electrician" all the apprentices work for.)
My biggest advice: ask the guy when he next shows up about his license. If you don't feel comfortable with his answer, take it up with the General Contractor you're using. You do have a right to decline any subcontractor the GC brings in. No, it won't make the GC happy - but it is your house! |
Bklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Bklyngirl
Post Number: 200
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 8:34 am: |
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NJguy99: Not my thread, but thanks for taking the time out to provide such useful information.
bklyngirl |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 79
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 8:43 am: |
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Glad to help. I just hope I haven't caused Rudbekia to freak out!
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