i searched, all the threads are old.

i want to replace 3 ceiling fans, replace a light with a ceiling fan, and replace another light fixture in my house. the parentals don't think i can do it myself and want me to find an electrician. they even offered to pay for him so that my stubborn self doesn't get killed (i'm not sure how they think i would do that but anyhoo...)

suggestions?

3/13/2012 7:54:50 PM

ESB Electric

3/13/2012 8:12:36 PM

None of that requires an electrician. It just involves a screwdriver, some wirenuts, and the knowledge of how to turn off breakers (or just the light switches if you can trust other people not to be dumbasses.

[Edited on March 13, 2012 at 8:25 PM. Reason : and a step ladder]

3/13/2012 8:25:30 PM

I'll drive to raleigh and do it for half of what ever an electrician quotes you.

I've only done about a dozen of them. Depending on the complexity, it takes between 15 minutes and an hour per fan to put up.

Most electrical companies in the Charlotte area charge between $30 and $100 per fan.

3/13/2012 9:16:16 PM

just turn off the breakers. don't go for the light switch method. too risky.

3/13/2012 9:17:45 PM

My dad leaves everything on when wiring. He just wears leather gloves.
He says it is too much work to find/get to the breaker.

3/13/2012 9:24:07 PM

Gary Crenshaw of Crenshaw Electric Co just ran ground wires to outlets in my house. Extremely professional and a good price too. His son is an NC State grad so it was nice to have a wolfpack fan do it vs a typical Tarheel. His number is 919-745-0094

3/13/2012 9:28:21 PM

If you're set on not doing it yourself let MaximaDrvr do it. None of that is that difficult and an electrician is going to charge a lot. The biggest problems you'd run into is if you were replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan. You'd want someone else to do that, or at least help you.

3/13/2012 9:34:18 PM

I'm in Raleigh and I've done a few of these myself in my current home. I've even installed outdoor electrical lights. I could use some extra bucks. I'm in Electrical Engineering, if that helps with any doubts

3/13/2012 10:06:33 PM

I've worked doing commercial electrical for 6.5 years... That isn't much of a task. I could use a few bucks too.

One thing: in the box where you are planning on going from a light to a fan, do you know if it is a ceiling fan box that is installed now?

[Edited on March 15, 2012 at 1:27 AM. Reason : .]

3/15/2012 1:20:27 AM

Quote :

"I'm in Electrical Engineering, if that helps with any doubts "

side story-

had an EE come in as an intern last summer (for general drafting/mechanical/electrical office assistance), we thought he would know about control panels, wiring, current loads, etc.


nawp.

3/15/2012 8:43:07 AM

ok guys...thanks for your advice. i havent decided on fans quite yet but i'll keep your suggestions in mind when that day comes.

now here's another issue. i decided to change the light fixture in my bathroom out. well....i took the old one out and this is what i found: (if picture doesn't work, look in my gallery). the new fixture will cover the round part but not the random square cut out. i know i'm going to need a small piece of drywall to fix that (or are there any other suggestions? it's about 4"x3"). my question is...there's a pipe running behind it and that seems random to me. my dad suggested its the vent pipe for something like my septic tank, but he said that it shouldn't be near anything electrical. so, those of you who may know something about raleigh codes/etc, ......is this something i should have a professional check out?

3/17/2012 6:34:35 PM

appears to be a vent line. i don't know about what the code has to say about its proximity to the electrical box, but there should never be water in a vent line. even if it did happen to get the wires in the box wet, it would just short out and trip the breaker. i'd patch the hole and roll on.

[Edited on March 17, 2012 at 9:36 PM. Reason : water will back out of the toilet/shower drain/sink before it gets that high]

3/17/2012 9:35:26 PM

Patch hole.
Move on.

You probably don't need a piece of sheetrock for the repair. Just get that mesh tape from Home Depot and slap it over the hole before putting some sheet rock repair mud on it. You'll find both in the same section within a few feet of each other.

3/17/2012 10:42:36 PM

There is a handyman service on one of the daily sites this weekend....

59 for 2 hours. Aren't really going to beat that.

3/18/2012 1:02:20 AM

Virgil Hawkins

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

3/18/2012 2:19:24 AM