Repair addendum verbiage

[Jim Luttrall]

I am going through the third re-inspection of aluminum wire repairs and the client is not going to get what I believe they need due to improper wording of the repair addendum. I gave plenty of information and their agent referred to the report but the seller (a flipper) reworded the repair addendum and the buyer (my client) signed off. So now instead of re-terminating all connections, they are only doing the switches and outlets (recepticals), not the lights, fans, or other junctions.

So here is the conundrum, is there a method anyone uses to try and protect their clients from themselves on technical issues like this?
I'm thinking of offering to read through their addendum before the client signs off but the liability would be huge. Maybe a warning to the client. I know we all pass it off to a licensed tradesman but in my area, that is a joke, especially with aluminum wiring. This is the second job I have seen a supposed Electrician use plain wire nuts to pigtail copper and claim it is an appropriate repair. In fact I have yet to see a proper aluminum wire repair.
Just venting a bit but still seriously looking for more help for my clients.

[Rick Cantrell]

I am going through the third re-inspection of aluminum wire repairs and the client is not going to get what I believe they need due to improper wording of the repair addendum. I gave plenty of information and their agent referred to the report but the seller (a flipper) reworded the repair addendum and the buyer (my client) signed off. So now instead of re-terminating all connections, they are only doing the switches and outlets (recepticals), not the lights, fans, or other junctions.

So here is the conundrum, is there a method anyone uses to try and protect their clients from themselves on technical issues like this?
I'm thinking of offering to read through their addendum before the client signs off but the liability would be huge. Maybe a warning to the client. I know we all pass it off to a licensed tradesman but in my area, that is a joke, especially with aluminum wiring. This is the second job I have seen a supposed Electrician use plain wire nuts to pigtail copper and claim it is an appropriate repair. In fact I have yet to see a proper aluminum wire repair.
Just venting a bit but still seriously looking for more help for my clients.

Jim
Unless you plan to marry the house and the work being done, not a lot you can do. The more you get involved in the repairs or even over-site of the repairs the more you approve of the work and the responsibility that goes along with that approval. If that is what you want, no problem, go for it.

My Daddy says
"It's not a problem, until there's a problem"

[Jim Luttrall]

Yeah, I get it but it still chaps me that once we leave, the agents and sellers and unscrupulous contractors (maybe not unscrupulous but just dumb) screw things up just as bad if not worse.

[Jerry Peck]

When you write up how (not as in 'exactly how' but as in 'how as recommended by CPS, etc.'), I recommend adding wording such as:
- It is typical for sellers to want to do less and to try to get the client to do less, it is also typical for contractors to want to do less because doing it correctly is quite expensive and not all contractors are qualified to do it correctly, and then the agents try to say that doing less is okay, so, for that I recommend remembering these words: fire, Fire, FIRE, FIRE!, and that whoever tries to say doing less is okay, that those people furnish a pre-paid 20 year insurance policy protecting the house against fire resulting from electrical causes - which is the most common cause of house fires.
- If they are not willing to provide the insurance policy, do not accept their recommended procedure of less work.
- Remember ... fire, Fire, FIRE, FIRE!

And if that is too subtle, I can try to find stronger wording. :)

[Benjamin Thompson]

Some of the trouble is, there doesn't seem to be any consensus on the proper repair or even the need for repair. I had one where the electrician just replaced all the switches and receptacles with Cu/Al rated stuff. Was this appropriate? I don't know. As you say, he didn't deal with any of the other splices.
What is the proper repair these days?

[Dan Harris]

Some of the trouble is, there doesn't seem to be any consensus on the proper repair or even the need for repair. I had one where the electrician just replaced all the switches and receptacles with Cu/Al rated stuff. Was this appropriate? I don't know. As you say, he didn't deal with any of the other splices.
What is the proper repair these days?

Per this goverment link.. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/516.pdf
pg 4 says all connections

[Benjamin Thompson]

Good info, Dan. Nice to see what they are recommending this week.:D
We have some condos where I am that all have aluminum wiring. Of course, I recommend that they get it properly repaired, but what good is it if all your attached neighboring units also have aluminum wiring?

[Jim Luttrall]

The preferred "repair" is to replace the aluminum wire with copper.
Failing that, I then recommend the COPALUM but the last two clients could not find a company currently using that method.
I think the AlumCon connectors would be equivalent and are accepted by the CPSC from my understanding.

The trouble is trying to get everyone down the line to understand and cooperate with a complete repair.

[Eric Barker]

Yeah, I get it but it still chaps me that once we leave, the agents and sellers and unscrupulous contractors (maybe not unscrupulous but just dumb) screw things up just as bad if not worse.

I know that feeling all to well. It took me a few years but I finally learned to put that stuff out of my head once I leave the job. Hand holding can turn into a monstrous job that can be very unrewarding.

[Jerry Peck]

I know that feeling all to well. It took me a few years but I finally learned to put that stuff out of my head once I leave the job. Hand holding can turn into a monstrous job that can be very unrewarding.

That's why my B-slap is sometimes the best way. ;)

It gets their attention and is very fulfilling if not rewarding. :D