Failed inspection

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

I bought my last house at about 25% of its value
People were selling it to avoid foreclosure (1997)
Before I bought it I went to the Building Inspector & asked him if he had any issues with the house

He wanted a fridge moved from the yard -door still on!!
Front deck they tried to make into a room, started to frame - he said No go
Wanted the shed moved from the side yard - too close to my house, fire bridge to next house

I took care of all 3 things within the 1st week, fridge the 1st day

Originally Posted by justlosther

I closed on the house a few days ago. I called to get the power turned on and was told by the electric company (Richmond power and light) that it would have to be inspected before power could be turned on. Was advised that this is normal when a home sets vacant for a time.

I called the number they gave me to call (Permits & Inspections Wayne county) I had to pay a fee for the permit and inspection. They scheduled the inspection for today (20th) Handy man said we have to move the electrical box because the make shift laundry room flashing had failed. I went and bought 65feet of 4 wire and 65 feet of bare copper wire from lowes. The weather head, meter and outside disconnect are all new as of 2004.

The 100 amp box was moved to the basement. One new 20 amp breaker was installed. 1 outlet in a steel box was mounted. 1 over head light on a pull string was mounted and wired. All but 1 knock out was filled (missed on on the top I didnt see .

Handy man did not know that GFI was required for ceiling of basement. He was thinking only metal box. I guess he didn't know that if you use 4 wire cable you don't use bare copper. I guess he didn't know about bonding.

The inspector shows up on time. I shake his hand and he goes into robot mode. Starts walking the outside of my house. Tells me that my windows are nailed shut and thats a fire haz. Im thinking to myself great he must also inspect other things besides electrical. He tells me he feels a little tingle when he touches my meter. Im thinking great... he removes the disconnect and inspects the wires. He pulls on them hard like he is trying to tear them off! He trys to close the box cover but has a hard time. He is frustrated.

We go inside I show him where the box is. He takes off the cover and starts pulling hard on the wires. Starts talking to hisself. I thougth he was talking to me. Puts the cover back on the box walked the whole inside of my house room by room. Comments on how he likes my pocket doors. We go outside on the porch. He hands me this yellow sheet of paper and says I need to hire an electrician. I ask him what is wrong and he tells me to show this paper to a licensed electrician and he will understand. He says something about how it's going to be a big project. I said I need electricity before I can do anything.

3 hours later I call the permit inspection phone number again. I inquire about getting service outside and ask about permits and procedures. Told me to call an electrician from the list she is going to send me. I tell her "I have a guy comming out to give me a estimate on the repairs on the list." She asked me his name. I tell her his name and she tells me he is not on her list so he can not get a permit. I said "ok I will come in and get a permit how much is it." She says I am not allowed to get a permit. Only licensed electricians on her list are granted permits. She sends me the email from my above post.

I didn't leave anything out. I promise. I will post picures of the open box and run, meter, weather head anything anybody needs. to help me.

Thank you

Originally Posted by justlosther

One electrician had a good idea I think...He said maybe we can convience the inspector to let us only re-wire the downstairs for now to get service on. Our case is that we are not going to live in the upstairs. We will take out 2 permits one for the down and one for the upstairs. That way we can take our time doing the upstairs and it won't cost so much. He said he has worked with the inspector on many jobs and thinks that the inspector will agree. We are not trying to pull one over on him.

To clearify we are going to hook up 100amp service for the downstairs and add another 100amp panel upstairs in the next few months. The basement makes it easy to wire the baseboards. I will cut all the exposed knob and tube out myself and remove the old floor outlets. He said he would wire the top part of some of the outlets on a switch. This way we do not have to go up into the ceiling light fixtures for now.

In a few months we mount the second 100 amp panel and run the lines through the huge attic. It makes it easy when we don't have to run the lines thru to many walls and firebreaks if the second 100 amp service is mounted on the same level. The calculation for electric heat is awful like 180,000 btu and 7.7ton cooling

Anybody see any issues with this? Right now and this winter I see myself using the oil furnance. With the amount of savings I have I don't think its a good idea to spend it all on an electric heat pump when I am pretty sure at least one of the new in 2004 oil furnances work. (there are 3 +1 small gas one from the 90's) Also it might be better for me to heat and cool just the lower part of the house for right now.

Originally Posted by frenchelectrican

If I am reading right you say electric heat calucations ? plus you have oil furnaces right?

Now for service size I know you suggest one for downstair and one for upstair is that house is zoned for two family home or what ? that will affect the codes.

Merci,Marc