I had a recent big electrical problem requiring a complete entry mast, outside panel + meter, and inside panel. Right now electrical contractors are busy and work is delayed. Westside was the second to make a site visit and provided a good bid.
The first was an electrician who was banned for 5 years and fined for practicing as an electrician without a license. Each state is different, and some, like the state they migrated from, have less strict rules. I think they had just gotten their license back and were working through a contractor for which I could not find an Oregon CCB license. Either on the permit could result in increased permit inspection scrutiny. Of course they have liability insurance, right? Check contractor licenses. With any contractor you want a bid and a contract. This particular contractor did not have contracts. They were available to come the next day though. Maybe a little desperate for work for a reason?!
I'm somewhat a student of the electrical code. I have seen some interesting wiring in less developed countries, or countries without a strong union training and apprentice system. The combination of the US electrical code and union system produces safe, long-lived, and beautiful wiring. Believe it or not, knob and tube wiring is safe, and it works for a long time. The residential electrical code over time introduces cost saving wiring devices and materials, and compensates by introducing more expensive and smart breakers and outlets.
That trend is likely to continue with more efficient LED lighting, smart homes, solar, and batteries.
Electricity is invisible of course, except in the form of lightning, arc faults, or welding. The skill of the electrician is to look at all the wires and visualize the flow of electricity in them. That is why the movie trope of disarming-the-bomb-decision of cutting the red wire, or the blue wire, is completely ridiculous. It depends what the wire does. The combination of the electrical code and union electricians do wiring the same way, so any electrician can quickly see how it works. Making it neat and beautiful is a point of pride for electricians.
I was happy for them to pull the permit with the City of Portland. Contractors have a better online interface to the permit system. They offered a snap into the panel whole house surge protector I selected. Because it was a like for like project, regular breakers worked fine, rather than a complete change to arc fault-GFI breakers which are expensive.
The electricians arrived on the agreed schedule, were very precise and neat on the boxes, level and true. The wiring is neat and properly labeled. They were up to date on code, for instance putting a wood panel to shield the wire entries above the breaker panel. They worked at a steady pace. My neighbor remodel has a slacker electrician who, if they worked steadily, would be finished.
Their time on site and transport per hour + materials + office time was consistent with their bid and fair. Their estimator was on schedule and knowledgable. The office person was great to work with. Their project manager coordinated well. The electricians did a very professional job and even bring their own small trash can. All the wood chips from drilling were swept up, and all the inevitable waste insulation bits too.
Thanks, Westside Electric! read more