On Dec 19, 2:10 am, Aaron Fude wrote:
Hi,

Thanks for all the responses. What I was really getting at is whether
I should do it myself and what I've gathered from the responses is:
yes, I should.

Here's my situation. I realize that this will take me a week (or two!)
where it would take a professional electrician a day and a half. And I
may/will make mistakes. These are the cons.

But the pros are these:

1. I really enjoy it.
2. I save $3000, at least.
3. I will have a licensed electrician inspect my work for about $70.
(So make that savings of $3000 - 2*$70, since I'm sure there will be
mistakes to correct and the inspection will have to take place twice.)
I've had two electricians say that they would do this for me...

(Also, what's pushing me towards doing it myself is my general
frustration with tradesmen these days. I've had eight electricians
come to visit me.

Eight is an absurdly large number IMO. Are you price shopping or
what?

All but one were late by at least 30 minutes. Six
canceled the first appointment, four the first two. Two plumb forgot
to show up and apologized profusely.

Perhaps they smell a PITA customer.


Several told me outright or
implied that whether or not I get my own fixtures, they will charge me
the contractor's markup.

What is wrong with that? Do you think they shouldn't profit from your
small job? Plus, using homeowner supplied fixtures can lead to
problems. Wrong fixtures, missing fixtures, etc. What if a fixture
is defective? Are you prepared to pay the electrician all the
screwing around he has to do to figure it out etc.



Five told me that
I'm in "desperate need of upgrading to 200Amps", three told me that I
have "plenty of amps coming in".

Not necessarily contradictory. Sometimes you can have enough amps
with a 100 amp panel but not enough slots for new circuits.

All eight have stated that the job
may cost more if there are unforseen problems, but not less if it
turns out simpler than expected. All eight were recommended by
someone.) Would you like to hear my plumber stories?

If you are building the Taj Mahal, you have some negotiating power.
You have a small job and you are being a pill. Call a few
electricians, find one who you feel in your gut you can trust, tell
them to get er done and send the bill.