4 ms·

Your willingness to repeatedly follow a process without deviation puts you into a much smaller group than the general population. Yes, the average person can d

Your willingness to repeatedly follow a process without deviation puts you into a much smaller group than the general population. Yes, the average person can do it, but many won't. And it will be innocent bystanders or firefighters or whatever that pay the ultimate price, not the sloppy guy or gal that saved a few dollars by doing it themselves. I wish that our building codes and permitting system had provisions for "competent amateurs", but how on earth would you do that?

supertrope 4y ago
For simpler jobs like installing an EVSE you can do the grunt work of dragging cable and hire a pro to wire it to the panel and pull permits.
- esel2k 4y ago
  This! I‘ve build a wooden holiday house and we‘ve installed all cables and lamps and plugs and at the end the electrician just verified and approved before connecting the main line.
lotsofpulp 4y ago
> I wish that our building codes and permitting system had provisions for "competent amateurs", but how on earth would you do that? What does this mean? Any “amateur” is allowed to do the work anytime they want (on their own home), and anyone can apply for a permit. They just have to pass the same inspection as everyone else. I do not see why the code (rules) would be different though, the principles of electricity and safety do not change.
- PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
  > Any “amateur” is allowed to do the work anytime they want (on their own home) This is not true across all US states, let alone other countries. I currently live in a jurisdiction that does allow home owners to do their own electrical work, but they have to pass a (demanding) exam before being licensed to do so. In my previous home state, home owners were not allowed - even if you did the work, a licensed electrician had to be "seen to be responsible".
  - lotsofpulp 4y ago
    Interesting, I have not come across a US state that does not allow a homeowner to do it themselves, assuming they follow the same permitting and inspection requirements. Which states do not allow DIY electrical? A quick search is not coming up with any examples.
    - PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
      It's not decided at the state level, at least not always. In Pennsylvania, Lower Merion Township will not permit homeowners do perform their own electrical or plumbing work.
xkcd-sucks 4y ago
To be fair, a lot of "professionals" aren't super competent, even to the point of reading the manuals of things they're installing, and it's difficult to find people whose work isn't sloppy and half-assed. In these cases the only advantage hiring a contractor brings is their liability if something goes wrong, and their ability to deliver a whole crew on short notice.

supertrope 4y ago

For simpler jobs like installing an EVSE you can do the grunt work of dragging cable and hire a pro to wire it to the panel and pull permits.

esel2k 4y ago
This! I‘ve build a wooden holiday house and we‘ve installed all cables and lamps and plugs and at the end the electrician just verified and approved before connecting the main line.

lotsofpulp 4y ago

> I wish that our building codes and permitting system had provisions for "competent amateurs", but how on earth would you do that? What does this mean? Any “amateur” is allowed to do the work anytime they want (on their own home), and anyone can apply for a permit. They just have to pass the same inspection as everyone else. I do not see why the code (rules) would be different though, the principles of electricity and safety do not change.

PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
> Any “amateur” is allowed to do the work anytime they want (on their own home) This is not true across all US states, let alone other countries. I currently live in a jurisdiction that does allow home owners to do their own electrical work, but they have to pass a (demanding) exam before being licensed to do so. In my previous home state, home owners were not allowed - even if you did the work, a licensed electrician had to be "seen to be responsible".
- lotsofpulp 4y ago
  Interesting, I have not come across a US state that does not allow a homeowner to do it themselves, assuming they follow the same permitting and inspection requirements. Which states do not allow DIY electrical? A quick search is not coming up with any examples.
  - PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
    It's not decided at the state level, at least not always. In Pennsylvania, Lower Merion Township will not permit homeowners do perform their own electrical or plumbing work.

xkcd-sucks 4y ago

To be fair, a lot of "professionals" aren't super competent, even to the point of reading the manuals of things they're installing, and it's difficult to find people whose work isn't sloppy and half-assed. In these cases the only advantage hiring a contractor brings is their liability if something goes wrong, and their ability to deliver a whole crew on short notice.