Starting a how-to site for the Electrical trade...?

I personally think that this is a good idea. I love how-to sites since as you mentioned, services of other people can be a bit too expensive. If I can do it myself, I'd do it.

I like the idea. Almost like Ask the Builder - The Home Improvement Resource

that sort of idea. Never know ask the sparky might be available. Think videos will work much better, or if you do write articles have pictures in them.

Good luck

Yeah, there is some VERY bad advice. It is reminiscent of the character Peggy Hill who once, writing an advice column, said that ammonia and bleach are a good combo for cleaning bathrooms. Hank Hill than had the hassle of trying to inform her that that mixture was DEADLY! It IS a cartoon, but does cover some real problems, etc..

HEY, there is a show on TV in the US now. As I recall, they are canadian. It is called Holmes on homes. A person calls them over to fix a supposedly moderately bad problem, and they find that it is VERY bad, and start almost laughing at the horrible job the last guys did. Anyway, the show is actually pretty educational.

Sometimes the studs are too far apart. Sometimes they are not supported well enough. Sometimes the vents aren't far enough away from windows, etc... They found heating systems not connected, and one time there were even pipes outside exposed, with an improperly supported overhang, bad insulation, and no support below the tub. In the winter, there were problems, and it was cold, and the tub wasn't stabil. A general contractor really has to know local codes, and a little about everything to try to coordinate everyone, and they should be able to reasonably determine stresspoints and what it takes to support them. All too often, all they do is hire the other guys. SOME now even suggest the customers do the general contracting job!

Heck, some people will even DIG to do whatever, without regard for ANYTHING. It is actually ILLEGAL to do so, at least over about 6", EVEN on your own property without having someone map out the utilities, etc...

If you fail to do that, you basically accept responsibility, may get a fine, may have to pay repair bills, and could become a pariah. You could easily hit power, TV cable, phones, gas, sewer, or water.

On MY property, there is a common easement, so almost all utilities are distributed from there, but STILL, they have to get there, and come from there. And that CAN'T happen on the easement.

Imagine a guy wanting to plant a tree, and hitting a water line, etc... That's ANOTHER thing. Some trees tend to grow DOWN, and some grow OUT! Better plan it right. If they grow down, and they are above a sewage line, they can grow through, and block it. If they grow out, and are near your foundation, they can hurt it.

OH, and if you merely REFER to the fact that they should check local codes, you have the proper safety tips, and are reasonably correct, you shouldn't have a problem, but disclaimers are a good idea.

In the US, it may be a good idea to have an electricians license, also.

Steve

Good idea. Could also be a good study site for electricians themselves if you do it right.

Posting this for the benefit of anyone else interested in the DIY niche. The link below is a discussion about what happened to one DIY site after the Panda update:

Hit by Google Panda, but why? All content unique - Webmaster Central Help