Asking The Inspector is Not Recommended
I have a bit of knowledge about doing simple electrical work. I've extended and added circuits in houses that I have owned. I've rewired my kitchen as part of a remodel. These experiences gave me some confidence in wiring my house...but only in a narrow area. There remains a great number of things that need to happen that I have no experience.
If you go to YouTube and watch any of the legion electrical videos, the video hosts all start by saying: "please check with your local inspector before starting any electrical work."
What they are really saying: "If you burn down your house or your work does not pass inspection, it is not my fault!"
I get it. Still, I took their advice and I started calling Jeff...the local inspector.
After about 8 text messages back and forth between Jeff and myself, I got this reply...
Consult with an electrician. Stop contacting me.
With that response came the realization that I really don't know what I am doing.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd as I sat there, in the fetal position, kicking myself for being so stupid to think I could do this myself...and as I considered trying to disprove the adage "alcohol is not a solution", it finally came to me=> take the advice...contact an electrician.
I contacted a electrical contractor business that got top grades from the better business bureau. Their web site states "no project too small". I asked them to consult on what I was doing and to answer my questions.
For $90 an hour, I sat with a Master Michigan Electrician and asked him every question under the sun. That took 45 minutes. In the remaining time, I asked him "what questions did I not ask but should have."
At the end of our time together, I felt a.whole.lot.better. Since then, I have emailed him an additional half dozen questions, and the answers were all clear and concise.
Money very well spent! But I do think I may need to send Jeff flowers.
A thank you note or flowers would be nice for Jeff for the advice. And what a great service the company provided you. Plus you may get bonus points from the inspector for following his advice.
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