Do it yourselfers are hamstrung?

[jlgerk]

this is your only sollution.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ear+plugs&sprefix=ear+plugs%2Caps%2C465

[peteadams]

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If must be licensed installer for safety, then what do we pay inspectors for?

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"Trust, but verify." Meaning that we trust that some effort is good and well meaning, but we will check and make sure. That phrase is probably the only positive intellectual contribution Reagan ever made, but it was a good one.

[Guest]

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Originally posted by peteadams

Never seen so many Constitutional scholars hanging out in one forum outside of Scotusblog!

My reaction is primarily to the OP's proposal to pay off tradesman to sign off on a residential electrical or plumbing permit. Having been a victim of extreme shoddiness in construction I don't think it's a good idea. Not many people can do good construction work and probably more don't really care whether they are making problems for the future if they can get away for cheap today.

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Seems to me you are to blame...you bought a shoddy house. Speak for yourself and don't make generalizations. I have seen homeowners do great work and various "tradesmen" do lousy work and the other way around. In the end the inspector or government isn't going to make us safe, it is up to every individual to learn as much as they can so that they can avoid houses wired with speaker wire and studs that are glued together. Have a nice day.

[Guest]

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Originally posted by kalakoa

Noise level allowed in Ag zoning: 70db.

When allowed: 7x24x365.

Coqui mating call: up to 90db.

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Try 120 db Coquis at my place...they must be special.

[Guest]

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Originally posted by kalakoa

I'm more than capable of doing my own electrical/plumbing, and perfectly happy to have it inspected/criticized by a government official prior to grant of final occupancy.

I would also happily sit for an exam to gain the necessary credentials, and join a union if necessary to practice these skills.

...and apparently neither is an option: if your buddies won't give you an apprenticeship and vouch for 2000 hours' experience, no license for you, not even permission to do work on your own home.

Yeah, that seems fair.

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It's CRAP. And we have people blathering here about how it is all for our own good. Eunichs

[kalakoa]

The coqui frogs are evolving to better fit the local environment. Current-generation frogs are about twice the size of the original, so probably louder too. They're also more tolerant of the relative cold at higher elevations.

[Guest]

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Originally posted by peteadams

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Sorry to tell you, but I've seen plenty of union work that was not up to code.

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Should be blazingly obvious that you can find a lot more amateur work that is not up to code.

Why should an inspector assume that a non-professional knows anything at all, anything, about installing electrical or plumbing according to code? I would think if some exemption were carved out for amateur electricians or plumbers, the inspection fee should significantly increase as every detail of the installation should be examined, nothing should be assumed as the inspector might with a professional.

And if you want that exemption, feel free to pursue it. This is a governmental situation, you, and every citizen, have ordinary recourse to promote new law and regulations, either working with the governing body or filing suit. It's called progress. Try to complain to Exxon about gas prices or Wall Street for gutting your 401(k).

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Defeatist attitudes never got anyone anywhere.
Thanks for your contribution?

[tada]

The electrician I talked to sounds skeptical about my plan for batteryless offgrid. So my DIY plan is to go this class next year-

http://www.trainingforsolar.com/Advanced...ation.html

Hoping Gexpro can help me pick out the wires. When I look at my Kyocera panels I cant even tell which is the +/- terminal??

Looks like there´s the professional way and my way. When I scrutinize people´s roof u don´t see wires hanging out. If i drill holes in my roof going be on the overhang not the interior. So hopefully they kick me out the class.

[peteadams]

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Seems to me you are to blame...you bought a shoddy house.

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Actually the house itself was well built, a solid 70's California ranch. We ended up selling it for over twice the original cost after a significant renovation and the substantial profit helped us move to Hawaii. The shoddiness was unfortunately completely concealed. The zipcord substitute for electrical cable and built-up 2x4's were discovered during that renovation when the wallboard was removed from somebody's conversion of the original garage into a bedroom. Obviously no inspectors involved.

[EightFingers]

"... Why should an inspector assume that a non-professional knows anything at all, anything, about installing electrical or plumbing according to code? ..."

They don't, that's why they *inspect*.