New member and i have reviewed rules. I see no prohibition regarding discussion on price so here we go:
This past weekend had some odd electrical activity in my house. lights flashing, refrigerator stopped cooling etc. In an attempt to find issue I read a lot on line and I thought I had a loose neutral. This is apparently an unsafe situation.
I called several local electricians and all were "booked"for the next 3-4 weeks.
Even though i mention "loose neutral"they were not at all motivated.
I finally found a franchise ( Mr. Sparky) and he arrived within 2 hours.
As funds are short I was concerned about cost but my safety is paramount !!
Nice guy, professional uniform, ID so far so good.
Best of all he said he would give me pricing after diagnostics and I owed nothing not even for the service call if i did not use him.
He checked outlets looked over panel box etc.
He is what he found (and showed me upon inspection)
Be advised this was clearly not built to code and I failed to get an inspection prior to purchase. It was a cash deal.Yes price as too good to be true
1. I have 200 amp service which is being feed by wire suitable 100 amp service.
The neutral wires in panel are "double tapped". While not necessarily unsafe not up to code.
3. Lines coming in from meter box are not protected by bushing rather they re just sitting on sharp metal edge of hole in the box.
4. Problem with outside wiring to pond and barn. Not in conduit or buried 24 inches as required.
5, under counter lights not in box just pigtailed with wire nut and pushed up out of view.
He found no open neutral and is sure I experienced a surge which appears to have fried my new refrig and oven. That is $2200 for these 2 appliances. Certified repair guys coming out next week, Hopefully just a new board or 2.
Interesting that my expensive computer, TV and wireless router were not fried. However the surge strips are no longer working. I suppose they did their job.
I told him I did not want a quick fix and wanted things made right as my safety and peace of mind are priceless.
He did have 3 different choices but went for the whole 9 yards so i can sleep at night.
Cost? $3,000 to run proper gauge wire to 200 amp breakers ,pull required permits, run service line in proper conduit with bushing, eliminate double tapped neutrals, fix counter light issue, fix outdoor wiring issues, become code current with 2 grounding rods ( I currently have one which is encased in concrete and new ones will be driven I believe 8 feet into earth.
In addition whole house surge protector at panel with folowing specs :
MCOV 150 VAC
IMAX 100 KA
In 20 KA
Above minimum required specs from what I have read
Includes max $1000,000 coverage for household and if unit gets damaged due to surge they replace.
Now I could have rented a meter based surge protector from power company but this just in a sense makes more sense to me. I own it.
Yes maybe I could done better price wise but i was given a total cost. I did not ask for breakdown as far as hourly cost, materials etc.
Fact is hourly he could just drag his feet to up price.
In the end do you think i am overpaying or does this seem fair?
I have committed but just curious as to your thoughts.
Remember he is the only one to actually show up in a timely manner and while i am far from rich I want to be safe.
Thanks for your opinions
This past weekend had some odd electrical activity in my house. lights flashing, refrigerator stopped cooling etc. In an attempt to find issue I read a lot on line and I thought I had a loose neutral. This is apparently an unsafe situation.
I called several local electricians and all were "booked"for the next 3-4 weeks.
Even though i mention "loose neutral"they were not at all motivated.
I finally found a franchise ( Mr. Sparky) and he arrived within 2 hours.
As funds are short I was concerned about cost but my safety is paramount !!
Nice guy, professional uniform, ID so far so good.
Best of all he said he would give me pricing after diagnostics and I owed nothing not even for the service call if i did not use him.
He checked outlets looked over panel box etc.
He is what he found (and showed me upon inspection)
Be advised this was clearly not built to code and I failed to get an inspection prior to purchase. It was a cash deal.Yes price as too good to be true
1. I have 200 amp service which is being feed by wire suitable 100 amp service.
The neutral wires in panel are "double tapped". While not necessarily unsafe not up to code.
3. Lines coming in from meter box are not protected by bushing rather they re just sitting on sharp metal edge of hole in the box.
4. Problem with outside wiring to pond and barn. Not in conduit or buried 24 inches as required.
5, under counter lights not in box just pigtailed with wire nut and pushed up out of view.
He found no open neutral and is sure I experienced a surge which appears to have fried my new refrig and oven. That is $2200 for these 2 appliances. Certified repair guys coming out next week, Hopefully just a new board or 2.
Interesting that my expensive computer, TV and wireless router were not fried. However the surge strips are no longer working. I suppose they did their job.
I told him I did not want a quick fix and wanted things made right as my safety and peace of mind are priceless.
He did have 3 different choices but went for the whole 9 yards so i can sleep at night.
Cost? $3,000 to run proper gauge wire to 200 amp breakers ,pull required permits, run service line in proper conduit with bushing, eliminate double tapped neutrals, fix counter light issue, fix outdoor wiring issues, become code current with 2 grounding rods ( I currently have one which is encased in concrete and new ones will be driven I believe 8 feet into earth.
In addition whole house surge protector at panel with folowing specs :
MCOV 150 VAC
IMAX 100 KA
In 20 KA
Above minimum required specs from what I have read
Includes max $1000,000 coverage for household and if unit gets damaged due to surge they replace.
Now I could have rented a meter based surge protector from power company but this just in a sense makes more sense to me. I own it.
Yes maybe I could done better price wise but i was given a total cost. I did not ask for breakdown as far as hourly cost, materials etc.
Fact is hourly he could just drag his feet to up price.
In the end do you think i am overpaying or does this seem fair?
I have committed but just curious as to your thoughts.
Remember he is the only one to actually show up in a timely manner and while i am far from rich I want to be safe.
Thanks for your opinions
