I know that y’all think that Jamie and I are pretty handy around the house. And we ARE. But there are some things better left to the professionals. Our friends are equally as talented, like our dear friend Chuck. He is a true Renaissance man and has helped us with some problems that we just couldn’t solve ourselves…..like electrical stuff.

I can wire a lamp. I can replace a ceiling fan. I can install recessed can lights, and I can even replace a switch or an outlet….usually by myself.

Chuck has helped with all the odd-ball electrical problems this house had.

He moved the garage light switch out from behind the refrigerator and into the garage. ( Behind the refrigerator???? Seriously?? )
He installed a second safety light under the eaves in the backyard…..when I just couldn’t fit in the attic. (I’m a big guy, I admit it)
And he moved a double switch in the living room over 14 inches through solid load-bearing studs.

Before…..see it there?  Behind all the bottles?

During…Chuck positioning the new box just right….

And after…..where it should have been all along…..

We finally put Chuck to the test and asked him to replace the sad little electrical panel in our garage. Not everything about updating a home is glamorous and awe-inspiring, but necessary none the less. We are trying to document every major change that we make..and this was a big change for us.

We weren’t really sure just what was wrong with the 40 year old breaker box, just that the house inspector recommended that we replace it on his inspection.

This has got to be a scary sight for any homeowner. Each of those wires matches up with a new breaker.

The new panel housing fits right over that mess of wires, and directly in-between studs.

Chucks father is a retired master electrician, and helped out on this install. I just love an electrician in overalls. Don’t you?

After a couple of  internet-less hours  and buzz words flying around, like “New Dedicated Circuit”, “Demand Load Calculation”, and “Breaker Replacement”, we finally had our brand spankin’ new electrical panel. The old one was 125 amps…this baby is 200. AND, we now have a master shut off switch on the outside of the house……something to do with city ordinances….that we now comply with.

Thanks Chuck.

She’s a Beaut’!

Luckily for everyone, there is an anal retentive living here, and he used his label maker to label all the breakers.

I’m not naming any names. But I think y’all know who he is.