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January 31, 2009
What are the legal penalties if any for a contractor doing residential plumbing or electrical work without being a licensed electrican or plumber in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania?
You are responsible for the cost to repair any damage to propriety fro example a water leak three years from now or a house fire. If the water leak ruins a couch , TV or anything else) then you must replace it
Also you are NEVER allowed to apply for the license. That is the penalty that stops most apprentices from doing it . Once caught you have no future in the trade. Also the people who hired you must pay a $1150 if it can be proven they knew you weren’t licenses.
If they didn’t know then you are in real legal trouble for fraud we could be talking jail time it the licensing board is in a bad mood.
Also if the project was something like an addition for finishing a basement. Or anything else that would be noticed next time the house is on the market. The local inspector can require the work to be removed or a the very least the sheet rock removed so he can see the pipes and wire were done correctly.
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January 30, 2009
Working as an electrician could be your opportunity to work. As a result of the population and economy grow, companies, homeowners, government and factories need more electricians. However, if you want to work as an electrician, you must obtain an electrician license. The requirements for getting this authorization depend on the area or state. If you need information about the process, you have to contact the local building department. Maybe, you are thinking about working as electrician. If that is so, here you will find some useful details about this kind of licenses.
This license was established in order to guard public safety and health. Its main goal is to prevent incompetent people from performing this job. This certification is a formal and legal document. Electricians who did illegal or immoral jobs could be sentenced. Moreover, the government can suspend or revoke their license. These licenses need to be renewed, and an inappropriate use can cause automatic termination of the license.
The people who want to get the license have to complete a written exam with questions related to the common tasks to perform and regulations. You will have to study the National Electrical Code which is the same in all states. The test variations between different states are found in the questions related to local laws and rules.
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January 29, 2009
If you live in Virginia, especially if you’re living in Northern Virginia, and are in need of electrician to provide electrical help or maintenance, whether for your private home, offices, stores, or any kind of electrical jobs, I can recommend you with a great electrical contractors in northern Virginia who has served the public for over 20 years, the Walsh Electric. They are here for all your electrical service, repairs, or installation, no matter how small or large, simple or complicated, you can depend on them for quality workmanship and friendly customer service.
They are the best electrical service in northern Virginia, with over hundreds of electrical services that they provide. For example in case you are in need of generators in Virginia or you need the service of Virginia Outdoor Lighting, then Walsh Electric can provide. They also handle the best security systems in Washington DC, as well as any surrounding area near it. Check out their official site to browse all of their products and services of electrical company could provide in Virginia. Whether it is electrical construction, service, remodeling, residential installation, commercial, government, electronic security, CCTV or access control this VA electrician company provides all. With over 20 years of experience trusted in this service sector Walsh Electric is the best on their field.
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January 28, 2009
Choosing an electrical contractor to do work on your home may not seem as if it should be a big deal, but choosing the right one can really make a difference. The process of hiring an electrical contractor involves more than just finding one that is the most economical.
Finding an electrical contracting professional that is qualified to perform and undertake your project is a must. Making sure that a contractor you are considering using is a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), with a renowned reputation, is something that can really make a difference in the outcome of your venture. The NECA is the institute that a good portion of electrical contractors are represented by. It can also be a good idea to ask around to family and friends to see if they advocate anyone to perform your service.
When hiring an electrical contractor you should make sure to check their accreditation. In beginning a relationship with an electrical contracting firm there are many questions that should be asked and guidelines that should be established. You should make sure that your contractor is able to supply you, the customer, with professional counsel in regards to your electrical systems needs. You should also make sure that if something were to go wrong with the project that the supplier would be able to be reached and willing to return to fix anything that was unsatisfactory.
It is necessary to find an electrical contractor who works hard, who conducts business with conviction, in a professional manner, and who is qualified to be performing the job at hand.
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January 27, 2009
Software Advice today announced that they have assisted over 500 electrical contractors during their evaluation of new electrical estimating software, accounting and project management systems for their businesses. Moreover, Software Advice has now developed partnerships with the majority of software vendors serving the electrical division. This network of software partners allows Software Advice to recommend the ideal systems for a wide range of electrical firms with a variety of technology needs.
“It is gratifying to have helped so many electrical contractors as they take on the challenge of assessing software systems. In partnership with the leaders in software for electrical contractors, we have helped everyone from the smallest of independent electricians to large electrical engineering firms with a global presence,” said Don Fornes, founder and CEO of Software Advice.
The Software Advice website provides a wealth of information for software selection including detailed software product profiles, white papers, articles and evaluation tools. Furthermore, the experts at Software Advice provide free phone consultations and needs assessments to help contractors narrow down a short list of software systems based on their trade (e.g. low voltage, solar, teledata), company size and specific functional requirements. Contractors can then focus their research efforts on evaluating the short list, rather than dedicating weeks to sifting through hundreds of software products for the construction industry.
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January 26, 2009
South Philadelphia electrical contractor Donald “Gus” Dougherty Jr. was sentenced to two years in prison today after pleading guilty to 99 criminal counts, including embezzlement, fraud, theft and tax evasion.
Prosecutors accused Dougherty of doing $115,600 in free work at the Moyamensing Avenue home of labor leader John J. Dougherty (who is no relation). Under federal labor law, it is a violation for an employer who uses union labor to give things of value to union leaders.
Gus Dougherty, 42, also pleaded guilty last May to embezzling $869,599 from the health and welfare fund managed for members by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98. Prosecutors were seeking a prison term equal to at least 41 months.
In a court filing, Gus Dougherty’s attorney said the contractor was “truly remorseful, ashamed of his misconduct, but blaming no one but himself.” Eric Sitarchuk, Dougherty’s attorney, wrote that his behavior was affected by out-of-control drinking and excessive spending.
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January 25, 2009
Independent, Full Service, and well Established Electrical Contractor provides service to Commercial customers primarily in San Antonio area. Some residential service for upgrades and service calls through the major home warranty companies. Has an outstanding reputation for the quality of work performed. Income for services are based on 50% time & material and 50% quoted contracts.
In addition to the owner, there is one Master Electrician on staff now with another to obtain Masters License soon. Centrally located providing easy access to most of San Antonio especially in the fast growing northern area of town. Business can be purchased separately or in place with the building and real estate for a smooth transition. Current Location is 25,000 SF including: Warehouse 1,800 SF, Office 1,110 SF and includes a yard of about 20,000 SF. This is a Merit Shop (Open Shop) and IEC Member. Business is a C-Corp.
Real Estate is available for $225K or $1,800 per month lease plus Insurance and Taxes. Owner willing to stay on for training and transition period to help with ongoing and future bids. Owner is selling due for retirement reasons.
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January 24, 2009
While firmly an option in the luxury home market, residential lighting controls are expanding into a broader home-owner landscape. With lighting packages designed to fit small and large installations, and technologies streamlined to assist owner and installer, now is the time for electrical contractors to tackle this market.
“Lighting control has seen significant growth due to growing interest,” said Gary Meshberg, chair of the Home Lighting Control Alliance. The Dallas-based group formed two years ago and includes manufacturers, retailers, industry organizations and installers, including electrical contractors.
A centralized lighting control system programs and manages lighting for an entire house or select rooms. Lighting can be automated based on homeowner need and/or desire.
“Consumers can explore this technology by applying lighting controls to one room, and then expanding as needs change,” Meshberg said. “Also, system components are fewer, and cost has come down. A complete system was once $10,000. Today, systems have dropped to $6,000–8,000, depending on the types of features selected.”
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January 23, 2009
Want to know what to look for in an electrician? As a homeowner, you’re responsible for all home electrical repairs. It is your responsibility that you protect yourself and those who live with you. The following electrician checklist should help provide you with valuable information about how to hire an electrician.
1. Ask friends or neighbors for their recommendations. They’ll be able to tell you who was great, and who was not so great. Remember, someone is far more likely to remember poor quality service, however, they will still remember those who did a great job.
2. Ask the electrician for a quote. This is a good way to get to know each one, and see how competitive they are. The more quotes you receive, the more information you will have hiring an electrician will become easier. Just because someone offers a cheap quote, does not necessarily mean they will do the best job. The same applies with the most expensive quotes.
3. Seek out references. If you’re skeptical, find others who have utilized their services. An electrician with nothing to hide will usually eagerly provide these. Don’t forget to be critical of what people say - they may be friends or relatives. It is always an important point to consider when hiring an electrician.
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January 22, 2009
McCormick Systems offers a unique new opportunity to electrical contractors: No matter how a set of electronic drawings ends up in your computer, you can do all your takeoffs on screen – and move the results (automatically) to your McCormick estimating system.
Up until now, most contractors worked with drawings on paper. A significant exception – for those using McCormick’s CAD Estimating software – pertained only to those who could obtain CAD drawings electronically from architects and engineers.
Now, thanks to McCormick’s interface with On Center Software Inc.’s On-Screen Takeoff product, estimates can be done on screen. Quantities can then be automatically moved to the McCormick estimating system (via a special link and database).
Additionally, McCormick is now a re-seller of On-Screen Takeoff. “Our contractors prefer to have a one-stop shop when they can get it, and as a re-seller for On Center, we now offer that,” said Todd McCormick, the company’s president. “We can get contractors the software and our exclusive interface, in one bundle.”
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January 21, 2009
An electrical contractor has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for failing to supply its employees with adequate information and training on asbestos.
Scriven Electrical Contractors from West Bromwich was fined £3,000 today under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The firm was also ordered to pay £2,757 in costs for breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.
The court heard that an electrician employed by Scriven installed three heat detectors and associated cabling in a commercial-sized kitchen and boiler room on premises in Smethwick.
The ceiling tiles contained 5-50% brown asbestos but no asbestos awareness training was given by his employer prior to commencement of the work, despite a legal requirement.
Speaking after the case, HSE inspector John Healy said the firm: “should have known of the dangers and the legal requirement to give sufficient training to protect employees from exposure to asbestos because 98% of their work involves the risk of encountering asbestos.”
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January 20, 2009
Electrical contractors and refurbishment specialists must improve their training of workers over the dangers posed by asbestos.
The warning from the Health and Safety Executive follows the prosecution of Scriven Electrical Contractors of West Bromwich for failing to ensure that adequate information, instruction and training was given to its employees.
An electrician employed by Scriven removed ceiling tiles containing up to 50% brown asbestos during cabling work on a site in Smethwick. He had received no training on how to deal with the deadly material.
Scriven was fined £3,000 by West Bromwich Magistrates following the incident.
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January 15, 2009
We had an outlet go out in our kitchen a week ago and I tried to fix it myself (got a replacement GFI outlet, wired it up based on how I read the directions, still did not work). We also noticed that a light to our basement was acting up as well on the same circuit, so I tried to remove that one to see if it would fix everything. That did not work.
One of our next-door neighbors is doing a major remodeling of his house. It had been split into 2 units and the other person moved out in the fall, so he is rejoining the 2 units. One of his friends is an electrician and was working next door, so he came over yesterday morning with my neighbor and they got it all fixed in an hour.
The total costs were $125, which included 3 new GFI outlets at $12/each. I know if I had to of gone through the phone book, the project would have easily been a $300 project. In the spring, we’ll look at doing some other electrical projects.
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January 14, 2009
One of the handiest gadgets you can buy for electrical repair Is a neon tester. You’ll find it at the electrical department in hardware stores and home- supply centers. Cost runs about $1. You can diagnose electrical problems with a neon tester: open circuits, faulty grounds, and so on. You need the power turned on during diagnosis with the tester, but ALWAYS shut the power off during repair.
there’s Suppose you suspect there’s no power that the circuit breaker is on. Repeated breaker tripping usually means a short circuit. The neon tester has two test leads with probe tips. Insert one tip in each slot of the receptacle. Hold the probes only by their insulated leads. The neon bulb should light. Try it a couple of times to make sure you’re getting contact inside. If the bulb does not light, turn off the power. Open up the outlet and tighten all the wires on the receptacle.
A faulty ground may develop either in an appliance or an outlet. To test an outlet for full and proper grounding, insert one probe of the neon tester in the shorter of the two receptacle slots and the other in the round grounding hole. The bulb should light. Move the probe from the short slot to the longer slot. Here, the bulb should not light. Move the probe from the round slot to the short slot. Here, the bulb should light again. If the results of these three tests are not exactly as described, the circuit has a faulty ground connection.
Shut off the power with the breaker switch and attempt the repair. Pages 28 and 35 show details. If you’re in doubt even slightly, call an electrician.
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January 1, 2009
There are such a wide variety of electrician tools available on the marketplace that there are entire books on the subject and even they can’t cover everything. Depending on the job you are doing and the jobs you hope to be doing, there are electrician tools and kits that range in price from $25 to mind boggling amounts of money.
From a simple wire cutter and a soldering iron up to the latest spy ware employed by the military, developing electrician tools have become an industry itself. In quiet laboratories electricians are working on an electronic device that does or undoes another equally complex electrical device. Once created, these devices have to be manufactured, people have to be trained in their uses and somebody has to repair them when they malfunction. All of this involves the field of electronics, some of it combined with computers and other communication devices.
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