By Cathy Spaulding
Editor’s note: One in a series of ways to save money.
Muskogee plumber Mike Arnold is doing his own plumbing, heating and air conditioning work on an extension he’s adding to his house in Okay.
But, he said he called in an electrician friend of his to install the electric wiring.
Even an expert knows when to call in an expert.
Tight budgets could prompt homeowners to do their own plumbing, electrical or mechanical work. However, unless people know what they’re doing, the project could get messy, expensive, even dangerous.
“I have homeowners ask me, ‘Is this project something I can do?’ I answer that it depends on how much they know,” said Arnold, who owns the Mr. Plumber service in Muskogee. “It seems there are homeowners who can do their own plumbing and other homeowners that can’t.”
“I know from experience, when someone is working on electrical projects, and they get in over their heads, they could do things that cost them a lot more money than if they called someone in,” said Tony Griffith, owner of Tony’s Electric and Remodeling Co.
Griffith said electrical work involves plenty of safety hazards.
“If someone would change a light switch, they would save $70 from making a service call,” he said. “But if you put an electrical switch in and the wire was almost touching the side of the metal box, there’s an arc (electrical charge) in there.”
He said the arc could pose a safety or fire hazard.
Griffith said he warns against people doing their own electrical work unless they have experience with electrical work.
“It’s not because I want their money, but because I don’t want them to die,” he said.
Lowe’s Home Improvement Center has an online library of how-to guides on its Web site, www.lowes.com.
People also can learn basic electricity and basic air conditioning through 12-week classes offered by Indian Capital Technology Center.
Do-it-yourselfers also must know which projects need city permits, Arnold said.
“Even if you’re doing it yourself, you still need permits and be inspected by the city to see that you’re doing it to code,” he said.
Muskogee city ordinances allow homeowners to do their own plumbing, electrical and home-mechanical work if they own AND live in the property. Any work done on rental or commercial property must be done by city-licensed contractors, said Dan Hurd, city residential building inspector.
Also, even with an owner-occupied residence, there are certain plumbing projects that must be done by a licensed contractor, he said.
Tapping in to city water and sewer lines must be done by contractors, he said.
“There are multiple service lines in that area,” Hurd said. “The typical homeowner does not have the insurance to cover it.”
Hurd said minor projects, such as replacing a faucet, do not require inspections or permits.
Muskogee inspection fees
• $50 residential flat fee.
• Storm shelter, $20 inspection fee.
• Plumbing permit: $20 inspection fee; $20 reinspection fee if additional trip; $30 inspection outside normal business hours; $35 water or sewer inspection outside city limits.
• Electrical permit: $20 inspection fee; $20 reinspection if needed; $30 inspection fee outside normal business hours.
• Mechanical permit: $20 inspection fee; $20 reinspection if needed; $30 inspection fee outside normal business hours.
Outside water contracts must be approved through city planning department.
• Downloadable permit forms available at www.cityofmuskogee.com.
• Information: Muskogee Building Inspector’s office, 684-6251.
Source: City of Muskogee Web Site.
To learn more
Indian Capital Technology Center offers adult education classes in basic electricity and basic air conditioning. Costs are $250 for 12 weeks for air conditioning class and $200 for 12 weeks for the basic electricity class. Call the ICTC Adult Education Office: 687-6383.
Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email
