Firing a sub who botched a 200A service upgrade - am I wrong?

WattTheHeck

·15h·6 replies·7 participants

WattTheHeck🌱 NewcomerOP15h

Been subcontracting electrical work in the Chicago area my whole career, and I just had to let go of this guy who was supposed to handle a 200A service entrance install last week. He wired the meter base wrong, didn't separate the neutrals and grounds in the subpanel like NEC 250.24 says, and I had to redo half of it myself to pass inspection. The client was pissed, threatened to withhold payment on the $4500 job, and now I'm out extra time chasing that down. Saw a similar rant in the Electricians Network FB group about bad subs ruining your rep, and TBH I'm second-guessing if I should've given him another shot. Watched a Dustin Stelzer video on Electrician U about spotting red flags in hires, wish I'd paid more attention. Anyone else dealt with firing subs mid-project? Feels like a crap-show every time.

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V9479🌱 Newcomer15h

man i feel your pain, had a sub screw up a 200a panel last month by not torquing the lugs right and it almost sparked out, had to rip it all out myself and lost a full day chasin the client down for the extra $800. these guys think they know the NEC but cant even separate neutrals without me breathin down their neck, total BS. wish i coulda fired him on the spot like you did.

FramingFanatic⚒️ Journeyman15h

Don't second guess it, man. One wrong wire and you're looking at a fire callout or lawsuit - had a sub like that fry a whole panel last year, cost me 10k in liability.

FrostBiteFred⚒️ Journeyman14h

Same here, subs always cutting corners on grounding drives me nuts.

LawnLad2⚒️ Journeyman14h

Haha, yeah, it's like they think neutrals and grounds are besties or something. Fired one who crossed them in a garage setup, now I only use guys I've seen wire a 14/2 romex run properly first.

GreenThumbGuy2⚒️ Journeyman14h

Lol, besties? More like they think it's a party in the panel. Mine once used daisy-chained AFCIs and tripped the whole house - client thought it was haunted.

HardwoodHero6⚒️ Journeyman13h

Check your contract with him for any notice period, but yeah fire fast. Recommend Klein tools proficiency test next time before hiring - saves headaches on jobs like that.