I did not need an electrical permit in my town. This was a "service panel upgrade" to start with. I am not a licensed electrician but can easily demonstrate that I know more than the average sparky running around this city. I did however get the new panel inspected so that if I sell the house, there is never a question. That is one of the first things those moronic home inspectors look for (an inspection sticker on the electrical panel).
Permits: Dont get me started.
The only time I would ever seek a permit would be for commercial work or when required for new construction. In other words if I were putting an addition on and they made me get an electrical permit with the building permit.. then I would. It does not matter who does the work, as long as it passes the inspection. Let me be clear, if they do not ask for a permit, I am not wasting my time and money getting and fullfing one! I would never seek a permit to add a branch circuit or similar.
When I did the new panel, the inspector showed up to check the work. I asked him to make a second visit during the wiring project. He was very happy with the quality if the work and had no problem putting the sticker on the box.
I just gutted and remodled a bathroom. I have moved all of the electric, plumbing and had to do some framing. The house is a 1950's house. If I would have went and asked for permits, they would have cost a fortune. I would have had to pay for
1) a building permit complete with plumbing, electrical and framing plans.
2) I would have been forced to check for asbestos and lead paint and pay for abatement if it was found (upwards of $15,000 if found).
3) I would have had to schedule and pay for contruction, electrical and plumbing inspections.
4) The building permits would then trigger the county tax assesment office to send out an apraiser to revalue my house and increase my taxes.
I have $5,000 in materials and my own priceless labor. The same project would have cost me $6,000 to god knows how much if I went through town hall. That is without even getting into the whole property tax issues and the tme I would have to spend fighting the new assesment. Property taxes in Pennsylvania are already way too high.
Lets not even get into the new uniform building codes and the utter stupidity that they saddle us all with.
NO THANKS!
Bean