Board member doing electric work

Tonight we have our monthly Board meeting. I'm on the Board and chair the meetings. One of the Board members is a retired electrical engineer. He wants to install some new wiring and put lights on our entrance signs. He is not insured/nor bonded. He is not covered under our HOA insurance policy if he were to get injured (I checked with our insurance agent). He would be doing this project at cost of materials and not charge for labor.

I am opposed to ANY homeowner volunteer doing electrical work or getting on a ladder. The other Board members seem indifferent/leaning toward just having this Board member do the work to save the HOA money.

I did get two quotes from reputable electric companies which are insured/bonded to bring to tonight's meeting.

Question: This Board member who wants to do the work is a hot head. If I hint at motioning to the Board to move forward with one of the reputable businesses, he might blow a gasket. How would you approach this issue? Would you just let him do the work and keep your fingers crossed or raise a stink and make sure the other Board members know that he could put the entire Association at risk in the unlikely event he gets injured?

Bill H is exactly right. You may save a few bucks if all goes well. If things don't go well the entire board will face the rage of your entire community. Bill's other option is also very good as if he really wants to do it he needs to get licensed and bonded. The job you mentioned would by no means be worth it to him.

If I were the Hot Head as you mentioned I would want to be onsite when the work is performed since he has experience in the field and can make sure the job is done right.

If, Adam, you can get an email from your ins. agent saying what you've told us, get it for tonight's meeting. Also taking copies of the bids to share that you have is important.

With bill & Adam & your own instincts, do not let this peon get or a ladder or touch anything electrical without something that takes the liability off the board/HOA.

Howdy! I recall you had a post about this guy a few months ago and I would have hoped the man would have taken a few breaths and thought about potential liability and changed his mind. I also hoped he might be outvoted by you and the other board members (oh, well).

Like you, I'm very concerned about a guy doing work on association property who's not insured or bonded, so I hope you were able to convince everyone to go with one of the contractors you spoke to, or at least get a few more bids from people who really are more qualified to do the work. I also hope everyone understands you're taking the long view of things to protect the association, as you and any decent board member would. This guy can blow himself up on his own property, but for any board to agree to this stunt just to save a few dollars is foolhardy. Here's hoping you stank up the joint with your objections.

Adding to others' comments about liability, board members are supposed to avoid self-dealing or using their positions for personal benefit. I also think it's smart to avoid even an appearance of wrong-doing. Even if the board member isn't paid, why raise questions in minds of the homeowners?

What does that mean?

Mark that means I am an Electrician but not a practicing one. Not licensed or insured. Went to college and did it as a volunteer with Habitat. Choose not to pursue it for a living. It's just a hobby.

Dimes work too.

No, they do NOT.

Too thick for Pan Head #6-32 x 3/8 Slotted Drive Screws

Been there - Tried that

(in my own home when I dropped my screwdriver while on top of an 8' ladder)

When I had sent the Board member a private email indicating our insurance would not cover him if he were to get hurt performing the work (like he suggested our insurance would during the last Board meeting), he replied and added the other Board members saying....

"Adam,
Please be advised of the following statement from the Workmans compensation policy. It specifically states that individuals who volunteer their services for nonprofit organizations are not covered. Please do the proper research before you attempt to spend any of the HOA's finances. Having taken Business Law at the University of Chicago and having worked in industry and as a contractor for General Electric and Rockwell Automation, I was fully aware of the workmans compensation law and that volunteers are not covered. I have no idea how you may have gotten that impression. "

My reply:

"Impression was received at our last meeting when you said "I thought that we're covered under our insurance policy" in regards to you performing electrical work for our entrance signs. I then suggested you obtain a Liability Waiver form to submit to the Board.

Please do not take this personally [Board member name]. I have no issues with you, but as a representative of our community I believe anyone working on a ladder or with electric should be insured/bonded. I'm only trying to protect the Association/homeowners in the very unlikely event something goes wrong. Please see it as only that.

See you tomorrow at the Board meeting!"

Also, it should be researched if a permit is required from the local Building Dept.for the work being performed. Where I'm located our Building Dept. will not issue a permit for work done outside of the permit pullers own residence, a DIY job, unless they are licensed/insured. Especially when it comes to electrical work.

Thank you for your kind words. I intend to set up my successor for success!