Tell us your horror stories

BrntWS6 · 03-13-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrclen

Now tell us you didn't just walk away without explaining to the owner that she was living in a house fire waiting to start.

I would have tried to turn that situation into money. In my bank account.

This was actually back before I owned my own company, but I did tell the homeowner she was living on barrowed time in that house. I got the impression when I was talking to her that she really wasn't taking me to seriously. Her husband or relative probably did it and convinced her it was ok. "Whatever lady, don't say I didn't warn ya!" or something to that affect were my parting words to her.

jrclen · 03-14-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrntWS6

This was actually back before I owned my own company, but I did tell the homeowner she was living on barrowed time in that house. I got the impression when I was talking to her that she really wasn't taking me to seriously. Her husband or relative probably did it and convinced her it was ok. "Whatever lady, don't say I didn't warn ya!" or something to that affect were my parting words to her.

Yeah I hear you. That's where that old saying comes from: "hey it works, what's the problem?" With due credit to Marc.

Knucklez · 03-16-2008, 02:00 PM

wow, i am humbled. i thought my old 90yr house had bad wiring, but it is nothing compared to your horror stories.

my house inspector said "no visible knob & tube" and so we were awarded house insurance on purchase and we bought the house.

later we find out that there is LOTS of active knob & tube, but it is all burried and "not visible". yikes.. found this out when i tested the outlet and found it was not grounded (though it was 3 prong).

so i think, well, just put in a GFI and i'm good.

then i test around some more, and sure enough.. the entire house except the bathroom and kitchen is on active knob & tube.

so, i figure, time to get started on a whole house wiring project.

it wasn't a bad job because i know what i'm doing with electrical.

what i found during the job was burried junction boxes, connections made with no boxes (also burried). probably the worst was a wire that had its insulation shaved off and then some other wire wrapped around it and then going off to some other direction.

lights hanging from ceiling by just two screws, no box.

ho hum...

it was about $300 in material to do this whole house but just took my time.. about 3 months.. i didn't want anyone to get injured.

Knucklez

CowboyAndy · 03-16-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knucklez

wow, i am humbled. i thought my old 90yr house had bad wiring, but it is nothing compared to your horror stories.

my house inspector said "no visible knob & tube" and so we were awarded house insurance on purchase and we bought the house.

later we find out that there is LOTS of active knob & tube, but it is all burried and "not visible". yikes.. found this out when i tested the outlet and found it was not grounded (though it was 3 prong).

so i think, well, just put in a GFI and i'm good.

then i test around some more, and sure enough.. the entire house except the bathroom and kitchen is on active knob & tube.

so, i figure, time to get started on a whole house wiring project.

it wasn't a bad job because i know what i'm doing with electrical.

what i found during the job was burried junction boxes, connections made with no boxes (also burried). probably the worst was a wire that had its insulation shaved off and then some other wire wrapped around it and then going off to some other direction.

lights hanging from ceiling by just two screws, no box.

ho hum...

it was about $300 in material to do this whole house but just took my time.. about 3 months.. i didn't want anyone to get injured.

Knucklez

Wow, only $300 for wire? Thats pretty cheap. I have probably spent over $1000, but it also included a new panel, service entrance and meter pan. Not including paying an electrician to do the actual upgrade, nor does it include inspections. I have pretty much done one room at a time as we have the cash, so it's an extra $120 for each room for inspections and permits ($50 for rough in, $50 for final and $20 for permit).

Not to mention all the tools I have bought throughout all the projects!!! I am always able to convince my wife there is something I need that I don't have when doing a project!