Electrical Permits - Home Building

Electrical Permits - Home Building

From: Colin

Carl, I’ve just bought your 5th edition of “Be Your Own House Contractor”. It has been very helpful so far.

We are moving to the US from the UK early 08 and, being an electrical/building contractor with 15 years experience I thought I’d build our own house! However, I feel completely out of my depth when I read about the whole process in the US.

Is it true when getting the permit you need to show everything from light switch position to your exact kitchen layout? Yikes!

Regards,
Colin

Hi Colin,

The process isn't so bad. Of course, I don't know what it is in the UK. When applying for the electrical permit here, you will need to be licensed in the state in which you are building.

Anyone can pull a building permit, but electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits require a license for each specific trade. You may have to employ a licensed electrician as a "helper" until you get licensed here.

Most house plans come with the basic electrical layout in the drawings. Obviously, no home designer knows exactly what a future homeowner wants, so they indicate the electrical layout to meet just the basic code.

When the house is ready for rough in, the electrician and the owner go through the house and add receptacles, switches, lights, appliances, in addition to what's on the plans based on code and the owner’s personal wishes.

The electrical inspection department just wants to wants to know that the house will be wired to at least to basic code as to receptacles, switches, service panels, appliances, etc.
In building your own house, you will most likely exceed basic code. You may want to read up on the code as there are little "quirks" such as when switches, lights, GFI's, separate service panels, etc. are required even though you might think they are not.

Welcome and good luck,
Carl