From: "Joseph Meehan"


Mike J wrote:
I am also building new house.

Electrical work is a racket. Installing $7 HALO light cost $100
My builder claims that outlet on the dust ledge in MB must be GFI so
$150 charge.
Microwave has to have dedicated curcuit, but when builder install own
MW it doesn't.

First get the Code book and read requirements. My builder also
claimed if I don't pay for
dedicated circuit for a basement, they will connect basement to
kitchen, or living room,
or even waterheater. Yeah.... I would like to see them passing
electrical inspection
with basement outlets wired to waterheater. Talk to city/county
inspectors, they are the
good guys. See a problem let them know...

Beat builders at they own game...
1) Wire the second floor that can be accessed via attic is easy.

1a) I would not mess with cathedral, my new house will have some
places 40+ feet tall.
If electrician wants money that bad, $100 for light that high up is
well worth it.

2) First floor, instead of wasting $100/light x 6 lights pay prewire
and tell them were to poke a hole in the drywall,
my builder charges $50 and that includes a switch (dinky one).

3) If you need to install more than 6 recessed lights pay for another
prewire.

4) L shaped recessed lights can be installed later. Canisters are
pretty large,
so when you cut hole for one you can get drill to make hole in the
joist for wires going to next light.

5) Sneak in additional wires after electrical inspection.

6) Make holes for existing wires large to allow for additional wires.
Add small string to allow pull
new wires to outlets. Pre-drill holes in the joists, I would not use
small bit, so closing them be time
wasting exercise for builder.

7) Get clip-on electrical boxes.

I would have had to spent about $5000 to get wiring, and a 3 pairs of
stupid cheap ass no name wall
speakers, and three $7 volume controls. ( Premium theater package ).
Plus 2k alarm and automation wires.

No thanks.

Rather than hacking the job and avoiding/violating the code and
inspections, why not just get a good contractor or tell him flat out that if
he wants the job, he will need to do the job right at the right price. If
your contractor will not do the electrical right at a fair price, what makes
you think the plumbing, heating, roofing etc are any better?

--
Joseph E. Meehan

You're being misled by the O.P. For some strange reason, people who put a
deposit on a developer's house *think* they're the ones building it.