Electrical Contractors

The One DIY Project You May Want to Reconsider

You've just arrived home, you turn on the air conditioner and the lights go out. You stumble through the dark to the breaker in the basement and turn the breaker back on again. You notice what looks like an outlet that looks burnt or smells funny. Your teenager has 52 things running from one extention cord to the next all from a single outlet. Maybe you've maxed out the capacity of your breaker box in your old home. Maybe the outlets need updated. Maybe you're remodling and it's time to replace the old wimpy wiring and route some new outlets. Maybe you want to put a washer and dryer in your home and don't have the right outlets.

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries wants to keep you safe and informed. You’ve got electric fireplaces, electrical supplies, electric heaters, and electric fences to think about. Here’s what the deparement had to say about your electricity...

“Protect the lives of your family and your property by making sure you have all the electrical permits, inspections, and approvals required by law. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 38,000 reported home fires are reported each year resulting in about 1,200 injuries and $668 million in direct property damage.”

How to hire a contractor:
There’s no reason to be electrocuted. If you’re not able to perform the electrical installations yourself, hire a Spokane based, licensed electrical contractor. When you hire a contractor make sure your electrical contractor is licensed and bonded and has obtained the required permits and inspections for the work being performed.

When you need an electrical permit:
An electrical permit is required by law for most new, remodel and maintenance electrical work and is the vital step to a safe installation. This permit is ensures the work on your property conforms to safety codes and inspections. If a permit is not purchased before work is started you could be penalized with fines not limited to $2,000.

When a permit is not required:
An electrical permit is not required on travel trailers, plug-in household appliances, replacement of a single circuit breaker, fuse, lamp, snap switch, receptacle outlet, household appliance, heating element, identical fluorescent ballast, relay, timer, motor starter, a similar control component, or a single 10 horsepower or smaller motors.

For more information about electrical permits and inspection requirements visit The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Website