[StBernard] electrical permits

[Westley Annis]

Deborah,
 
no one is requesting this be done for free- however there are some
electricians who have said they will be doing just that on the days that are
being facilitated- they know that there will be some, many of the permits
that they may not get the work on but have expressed a real interest in
lending assistance in the rebuilding of the parish.  Some people are just
that way- willing to help in the face of real challenges, others do not see
the benefit and that is really up to them.  The process really involves the
electrician giving up his/her time for the day and possibly getting paid for
the work that may be generated from the filing.
 
Having discussed this with many of the electricians that said they were
planning to attend, they clearly understand that they can charge whatever
they wish from 0 - whatever and let the market indicate what they get.
Literally, what they are doing on these days is signing a piece of paper-
the work comes later.
 
Sometimes, the almighty dollar needs to be set aside for a higher virtue.
All the electricians I have talked to have more work than they can get to-
the disaster has been very good for some businesses which is great, but
community is something that we have always prided ourselves on so I applaud
those people who extend a helping hand, even if it doesn't put a bunch of
money in their pocket all the time.
 
God Bless,
Craig
 
 
-----Original Message-----
Having read the concept being discussed to have the electricians file for
permits for proof of starting repair work before the 3 foot rule is invoked
reminds me of when Jefferson Parish had several rain floods in the 80s. The
insurance companies were making their customers get three written proposals
to replace flooring before they would pay. In other words,they put the
burden on the flooring companies. A relative in the flooring business
learned as the others did that they were being used to give documentation
and clearly a third of their quotes would be wasted time resulting in no
sales for them, so the next time it flooded, they all started charging for
their estimates, with the fee being deducted if they got the job My point
is, is it fair to ask an electrician to do the paperwork and file a permit
to start electrical work or do a "will call permit" as they refer to it,
meaning they don't really have the contract locked in with the homeowner who
can switch electricians, without paying the first electrician for their
time and trouble?   If I was in that business, I'd have to only file for
those who have given me the substantial deposit to do the whole job or else
I'd been losing out on the real bread and butter work that keeps me in
business.  I say this so that homeowners don't expect electricians to work
for free to file permits to help them not raise their house by the deadline.
 
I can't imagine a CPA filing a form for me for free or for little money so
that I meet some IRS deadline, unless I have hired  and paid the CPA to
actually do my taxes or I am willing to pay for his time to file this form. 
 
ddk