Homeowners will take on all kinds of projects that should be left to trained professionals.
This is especially true in relation to electrical wiring. People love to finish off those attics and basement spaces without getting permits because it is so easy to do the work unnoticed by officials of the building department. 
They can work on the projects in their spare time and as they get the funds. And then, THEY CAN MAKE TONS MORE MONEY WHEN THEY SELL-----because they didn't have to hire some over priced professional to do the job.
From my point of view this is false economy---- even if we are only talking about the money. It is really false economy if "Mr. Home Remodeler" is called to task by the building department (and has to rip it all out), or has to provide documentation for the work later on, or worse yet-----somebody dies because the house burned down or because they got electrocuted.
Case in point, I inspected a home a while back that had a nicely finished off attic that was now the Master Suite. Everything looked great electrically. All the receptacles tested as grounded etc. My first clue that something might be amiss was that the 3 Master Bathroom receptacles were not GFCI protected (You know the receptacles with the little test buttons?). All new construction would require them, so my next thought is that I am looking at work that wasn't inspected and/or didn't have a permit issued.
Like many finished-off attic spaces there were knee walls with attics along the sides. From inside those attic spaces some of the receptacles and wiring were visible----sort of a glimpse inside the walls---a view we don't often see as inspectors. One of these attics even had a light with a switch (run from one of the room receptacles). Now this one switch location had so many issues that I just snapped a picture of it and moved on. It wasn't until I got home and saw the picture on my computer screen that the implications of the defect hit home.
It was obvious that this was not a professional installation. As an inspector I don't even get overly concerned about whether work had permits or not----I want to know how the work was done and that it was done professionally---safely. While permits will get you headed in the right direction, unfortunately, even that is no guarantee of good work.
This switch location had: wires not secured near the box, ground wires just twisted together without a proper connector, no ground wire to the switch itself, the switch not connected to the box, a box of a type without a place to connect the switch, and no cover plate. Sounds like enough issues for just one location doesn't it? But, that is not the end of the list. The biggest problem is that the neutral (white) wire is being switched.
The idea behind the requirement that the "hot" (black) wire be switched is that when the light switch is "off" there would then be no energy potential at the light fixture. By switching the neutral wire, the light wouldn't work but there would still be a shock hazard present between the ground wire and the hot wire in the fixture itself. A very serious shock hazard!
This brings me, finally, to the point of this blog. Does "Mr. Deal Killer Inspector" have to recommend that every junction box in all portions of this remodeled attic be taken apart and evaluated by a licensed electrical contractor?
Me thinks so.
Charles Buell
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With that many problems on one switch, the rest of the switches would likely be no better...
AS this housing turn deepens, the home inspection has become a focal point of the escrow time. Buyer on not willing to take on such problems and repairs anymore - and maybe they never should have.
Brian, while I didn't mention it in the blog----I could also tell from the way the back side of some of the receptacles looked, that they would also need some more "invasive" evaluation:)
Hope, it sure gets complicated-----sounds like more to add to the "false economy" of not doing it right to begin with
Better to know these things upfront regardless who you represent. If your client gets electrocuted, you're not likely to get repeat business. If he survives, he'll likely sue.
Ok I am guilty of minor work around my place. I need to be more careful! Thanks
Joe, I kind of agree---and there is "usually" someone on one side of the transaction that doesn't:)
Dick, the problem with electricity is that there is so much to know and what you don't know can still allow the thing to function----but perhaps not safely.
Charles, damned if you do, damned if you do'nt. We always tell clients it is like taking a used car to a auto mechanic. If he does'nt have a laundry list, he is'nt doing his job...
I have gotten bit a few times by bad wiring when switching out light fixtures. Now I make sure it is off either at the switch or breaker and then test it again when I go to play with it. That stings... And never assume the just because the breaker is off, that the circuit is actually dead. Don't know how things were wired up in one house I worked on, but we had almost every breaker in the house off and still had a trickle of power in the outlets....
Definitly ALWAYS get the pros to do the wiring, or at the very least get it inspected (though I must admit I have my doubts about inspectors skills when it comes to spotting mistakes.) Even as a remodeling contractor, at my own home I called in the electrician to run the lines for the hot tub and new outlets in the garage!
Get us a home, thanks for the comment----too true
Chris, there are other scenarios with the power off at the switch that their could still be power at the fixture----this is what I am talking about how there is a lot to know. "Assuming" and "electricity" are not compatible!
Aw, Charles, why can't you stick with simple things like hugging your realtor instead of putting up this hard-to-understand electrical stuff. : )
Barbara, you have to be a lot more careful hugging electricity than you do realtors:)
Charles, when it comes to electrical work it better be done right or you could have safety and fire hazards. A good point you made about professional installation. I personally DON'T want to be hugged by electricity. Clients and other Realtors are much better candidates.
Charles, having been a licensed electrician and an electrical engineer, I am really hard on electrical issues as this is one of the areas in a house that can kill you or burn your house down... I really do not know why people like to fool with such a dangerous product...
Charles,
I will tell clients if you want to play with the plumbing the worse you can get is wet, but never play with electricity. You can end up dead.
Gary, like the connection back to my hugging blog:)
Michael, I think they just get a "charge" out of it:)
James, how about when they get electricity and plumbing playing together?
Charlie,
Good post. However, I would like to clarify the title. Far as I can tell you like being a "bad guy" whether you are paid or not.
Steve----only to you