How much to pay a neighbor for electrical help

[Travelover]

Oh, you got rid of a federal pacific panel, smart move.

Yea, I did a little internet research and it seems they faked the UL testing and over time the breakers developed a nasty habit of not breaking under a short. Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers Investigation Finds Decades of Danger NBC Bay Area - YouTube

 

[JPRambo]

I have done lots of electrical side jobs for people I don't know, and I charge them. If my neighbor/s needs help I offer and do not accept cash. Unless he says I don't want you to do it for free. I suggest some low off the wall price.. a few beers while standing around in the yard/garage something like that. I look at it as some day I /wife may need help and he is home most all the time.

 

[dragoneggs]

Oh, you got rid of a federal pacific panel, smart move.

When we bought the house are in now (about 11 years ago), the main panel was fed pac. The inspector said it should be replaced so I discounted the home sale price to cover replacement.

I immediately hired an electrician to put in a new 200amp Cutter-Hammer with a mechanical interlock for my generator I brought with me. Worked out great. I recently installed a power-on alarm so I know when to switch back from the genny.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thatç—´ also true. But if you agree to help a neighbor for pay and then they 1099 you thereæ±*e no friend either.

I helped my brother one summer renovate his home... he offered a $100 a day which was OK... ended up working 10-12 hour days, 7 days a week there for about 8 weeks... with my tools, trailer, etc... he puts 3k in my bank account... younger brother, first house, money is tight... etc. so OK

The kicker was 5 months later his tax guy sends me a 1099.... REALLY

The home was transformed for very little... new electric service, totally new kitchen for less than 2k in materials... found things that had been ordered and not picked up and scored big on Lino rem I put done and Sears Outlet closing for appliances.

The home has sold several times over the years and my kitchen and bath and furnace are still there... only the counter tops have been changed to granite...

When I asked what's the deal... he said you don't want to do anything illegal do you?

Federal Pacific is saturated here... the panels are everywhere. A lot do get changed out but it isn't required by the building department...

 

[Travelover]

OP here - just to tie a ribbon around it - I dropped by and gave my electrician friend an envelope with $500 cash and later he texted me a thanks. So, I think the advice here was good - he seems happy, not insulted either way. We live in a cluster of four houses down a private road in farm country, so it is good to be tight with the neighbors. I'm sure that one way or another is was a good investment.

 

[hslogger]

I have a buddy who was lead man for a electrical contractor for many years. He was offered a partnership when one of the existing partners retired. My buddy declined and went to work for himself, above board, all legit. He continually upgrades is skills via IBEW seminars and such. He is licensed and bonded to the hilt. He charges 88.00 an hour for himself and a helper.
My guy is **** about upgrades and will not. will not fudge. It is either done right and to code or not at all. EXACTLY the guy I want when it comes to working and renovating my late eighteen hundreds home, barns, well houses, shops, the whole shebang. Offer him five bills and let him decide what is right.

 

[tjkubota93]

That’s also true. But if you agree to help a neighbor for pay and then they 1099 you there’re no friend either.

I think even someone employed by the IRS would not do that.

 

[Diggin It]

Personally, I help my neighbors and never expect payment. Sometimes I get a thankyou. I would never expect cash for any work I do for my neighbors who are all retired like me. When I work for a neighbor, I do so just to have something to do. I mow yards (sometimes just because they need mowing), trim trees when asked, dig holes with my backhoe, till gardens when asked and any other tasks that a rather elderly neighbor needs done. I don't expect payment and they don't expect to pay.

I've never offered to help someone and expect payment later. If I expect payment, they know upfront. When we put in propane, an acquaintance offered to do it (with me helping him). He told me what to purchase and to rent a pipe threader. When we got done, he asked for payment, including overtime rates because it was a Saturday. I paid him but a few weeks later when he wanted more free help on his computer, I told him my rates were comparable to his. He never asked me for help again. It turns out he treated others the same as soon found he had no free help for what he needed. He thought he should charge for his help, but get free help from everyone else..

Yeah, we kinda trade for stuff around here. Folks cut fields, roll/bale and haul hay for their cows and the property owner gets their field cleared a couple of times a year. They help each other move cattle if necessary. I had to get diesel from a neighbor yesterday and offered to pay him, but he wouldn't take it. He knows I'll help him dig whatever he needs now that I have the tool to do it. Trading is easier and more productive than paperwork (for those that bother with it).

 

[Diggin It]

and I have a generator interlock so I can power my whole house directly.

Ahhhh, that complicates things. I've changed panels and rewired three or four houses I've had, but I've never done that step. I wouldn't be sure how and would have to seek help to do that. My plan would be to put an automatic transfer switch between the meter and the panel to switch the main feed.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Yea, I did a little internet research and it seems they faked the UL testing and over time the breakers developed a nasty habit of not breaking under a short. Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers Investigation Finds Decades of Danger NBC Bay Area - YouTube

That company faked the UL listing, sold millions and millions of the faulty panels, and when folks started dying in house fires, they simply declared bankruptcy and walked away--with their profits of course.

I had one of those Fed Pac panels that had been in place for a decade with no apparent problems. Then I did a total kitchen remodel, and during demolition, we found black scorch marks everywhere behind the drywall. Right around this time, I heard an explosion in the garage, walked in to find the electric control box above the water heater was ON FIRE.