Hit journeyman status after 6 years, but Texas inspectors killed my celebration

ChillMaster8

·1d·21 replies·20 participants

ChillMaster8⭐ ExpertOP1d

108

Just wrapped up my journeyman exam and got licensed, feels damn good after grinding through all those NEC updates and late-night panel upgrades. Charged a client $2,800 for a full 200A service upgrade in Dallas last week to celebrate, but then the inspector nitpicks my ground rod placement like it's his job to ruin the vibe. We're in Texas so these AHJ clowns act like gods, anyone else pissed at how they drag out approvals?

WattTheHeck27⭐ Expert1d

Man, Texas inspectors are the worst, had one fail me twice on a simple subpanel because I didn't torque the lugs to his exact spec.

WireWizardWalt👑 Legend1d

Torque wrench saved my ass after that, now I double-check everything before they even show up.

VentVictor⭐ Expert1d

Same, but I just started bringing coffee for the prickly ones, sometimes works.

WireWizardWalt👑 Legend1d

Congrats on the license, that's huge. For ground rods, I always use the 8ft copper and drive it 6 inches extra just to be safe.

VentMaster2🏆 Master1d

Texas AHJs suck, but congrats brother, you're set for bigger jobs now.

ChillMaster9⭐ Expert1d

Proud of ya man, I hit journeyman last year and immediately upped my rates to $120/hr. Don't let the inspectors dim that shine.

PipeLord4203⭐ Expert1d

Watched Dustin Stelzer on Electrician U explain inspector horror stories, made me laugh but yeah it's real.

WireWizard6🏆 Master1d

That video had me dying, the part about the coffee bribe.

WireWizard87⭐ Expert1d

LOL inspectors in Texas think they're the code police, I just nod and fix whatever BS they find.

PipeLord42021👑 Legend1d

Heard a funny one on r/electricians about a guy who bribed with donuts, worked better than fighting.

BoxHauler3🏆 Master1d

Same here, celebrated my license with a beer, then inspector shows up hungover and fails the neutral bond.

DoorOpenerPro2⭐ Expert23h

Donuts for inspectors? Genius, gonna try that next time.

JoistJockey4⭐ Expert22h

Felt that, my first big job after licensing and the inspector made me redo the AFCI wiring.

DoorJammer4⭐ Expert20h

AFCIs are their favorite gotcha, always test 'em live before calling.

BoxHaulerBen4⭐ Expert18h

Up in the panhandle it's even worse, wind farms got 'em power tripping.

DoorJamJam2🏆 Master17h

Congrats, but yeah Texas makes everything a fight, saw a rant in Electricians Network about it.

LawnLad⭐ Expert15h

Don't sweat it, I charge extra for inspector delays now, turns it into profit.

HandyHank⭐ Expert13h

Those AHJs are killing small guys, we need to union up or something.

LatexLegend👑 Legend12h

Same boat, just got licensed and first inspection was a nightmare over GFCI placement.

DustBunnyHunter3👑 Legend10h

Texas inspectors are a cartel, straight up screwing over licensed sparks like us.

DustBunnyHunter3👑 Legend8h

Never trust their first pass, always have backup wire ready, saved me $500 in callbacks once.