On Nov 2, 9:11�am, bud-- wrote:
teabird wrote:
On Nov 2, 1:40 am, DD_BobK wrote:
On Nov 1, 7:08 pm, Lee B wrote:

AZ Nomad wrote:
On Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:24:53 -0500, Lee B wrote:
(I'm clueless about electricity... actually it sort of scares me, so
this is all Greek to me).
Question - I'm in the process of selling an older(1950's) home. The home
inspection was Friday, and I got the buyers' laundry list Saturday
afternoon. One of the things they are asking for is GFCI's to be
installed in the bathrooms. (This is in Baltimore County, if that makes
Damn, you're a cheapskate.
You haven't seen the rest of the laundry list...
Seriously when I posted the question, I had no idea if having a GFIC
installed was a big deal or not. A relative had just told me that since
it was a two hole plug, the electrician would have to run additional
wiring from the basement that could cost thousands. If it really is as
seemingly straightforward as it's been made to sound, I don't mind
paying for that.
What amazes me is that this is the second home inspection in the last
year, after the prev sale fell through. And both inspectors found
entirely different things to complain about. The first one never
mentioned GFCIs, but came up with things like the length of some exhaust
pipe on the water heater. This one came up with the GFCIs but not the
plumbing, plus he zeroed in on settlement cracks on the back porch that
the first one didn't mention as a problem. That's why I was having
problems evaluating what's really necessary. Versus "oh let's see if we
can get her to upgrade this while we're at it".
Your relative is incorrect....are they a �contractor, electrician,
engineer or a DIY's that knows anything?
GFI's can be installed without a ground, they come with stickers "no
equipment ground"

Inspectors justify their fee & cover their butts by finding
"defects"....makes the buyer think they're getting their money;s
worth.

Be cooperative, preserve the sale but dont give away the farm.
Discuss the list with your realtor & a person knowledgeable as to the
cost of each item ...have your realtor make the list go away.

cheers
Bob

I wouldn't say the relative is incorrect. �If it is indeed only 2 wire
w/out a ground, the correct and safest way (GFCI, right?) to install
it is to run wires plus a ground back to a panel or sub panel. �All
other options are short cuts to save time, money or hassle, which
reduce the safety and *expected* working of the GFCI.

GFCIs still work when there is no ground. The NEC explicitly allows them
to be installed when there is no ground, but in that case they have to
have the label several people have referred to. IMHO RBM's second post
is the best advice.

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bud--- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

far better to install a ground wire.

its not a killer expense, treat the buyer nice, so they dont back out