As home inspectors we report what we see. Sometimes that information can be troublesome to the client.

On a recent home inspection my client informed me that permits had been pulled for all the work performed on a recent remodel on the home they are looking to purchase.

As I am evaluating the work done I questioned that permits have been pulled or that maybe not all the necessary permits have been pulled and/or the permits have not been signed off on. This was especially true of the electrical work. During the inspection I let my client and their agent know that they could look up the permits online. So as I continue on with the home inspection they start looking up the permits.

So I am now evaluating the wiring from the main service panel and know that this was not permitted work. The branch wiring was not performed in normal manner and the branch circuit run was bundled leaving the panel.

Per NEC (National Electrical Code) 310.15 and 334.80 these wires would need to be De-Rated, meaning their current carrying capacity needs to be adjusted down to allow for potential heat buildup within the bundle. The amount of de-rating here would render the circuit capacity almost useless.

After this evaluation my client and their Agent show me the electrical permit they found and it was only for the feeders to the panels, no permit was pulled for all the other wiring, which I already knew. THere were other issues with how the wiring was performed.

Here is how a professional will space their wiring.

Pictures tells a thousand words.

There were other issues too that show that a partial truth was used.

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service