Electrician cut right through wood to run wiring?

5 years ago

I hired a licensed electrician to install a microwave receptacle and run a wire. It seems the guy did a real hack job and he left me with some concerns. He cut three big holes in the dry wall and then cut right through three pieces of wood in the wall. I questioned him when he started cutting through the wood and he told me this wood is simply to hold the dry wall and not structural. This wall is on the exterior of the home and is load bearing. Can anyone confirm based on this image that this is okay? He also mentioned there are metal beams there but I certainly can't see any from the three large holes.

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worthy

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

The electricians I've used on old homes would have used a long flexible bit to drill through the wood--or fished the wire, then cut the wood--barely disturbing the drywall or plaster except at the corner. What you got is more typical.

Metal plates are used if the cable is in a location likely to be breached by subsequent users.

Not many pictures are hung between the top of the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling!

Unless you contracted for it, patching the holes is not the electrcian's job. And he did a neat job. I've seen others use a sledge hammer.

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Comments (16)

ci_lantro
5 years ago
This wall is on the exterior of the home and is load bearing.

Poor resolution on the photo. Need a picture taken closer up and with better lighting.

Is that a cinder block wall? Kinda' looks like it. If so, no worries. The wood is there to hold up the sheetrock just as the electrician said.
Jim Bo thanked ci_lantro
Jim Bo
Original Author
5 years ago
Sorry yes, I could take a better one if needed but he patched it up so I would have to cut a piece back out. That is a cinder block wall. Also the longest width of the wood is flush up against the cinder block
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mama goose_gw zn6OH
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Does the cabinet have a back, or is that the sheet rock we see? I ask because of the color of the back.
Jim Bo
Original Author
5 years ago
thats the back of the cabinet
ci_lantro
5 years ago
Since this cinder block, there aren't any structural concerns. You can quit worrying.

One point, though. Protecter metal plates need to be installed over the wiring to prevent a nail of screw from piercing the cable. The electrician should have done this but it's easy to DIY.
Jim Bo thanked ci_lantro
mtvhike
5 years ago
If the electrician cut the holes to run the wire (it looks as if he cut more than necessary), then he should have patched them.
Jim Bo thanked mtvhike
PRO
The Kitchen Place
5 years ago
Agree, it's all good. Cinder Block construction is always more challenging. My carpenters and other subs charge extra to install in homes like this.
Jim Bo thanked The Kitchen Place
Jim Bo
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks, @User for the thoughtful reply
ulisdone
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Just a word of correction, not to be b****y, but they are concrete blocks, not “cinder” blocks.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
I'll bet this electrician does 99% new work. Clearly he doesn't know how to fish wire.
Jim Bo thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
lucky998877
5 years ago
Our electricians just told us that they are allowed to drill a 1" hole in beams etc...but not in trusses.
chispa
5 years ago
Those are just furring strips on a concrete block wall. It took me 2 glances at the photo to figure out and I'm not even in the home building business, just someone who has done some remodeling projects and walked through homes being built.
millworkman
last year
" Hey, that sounds like quite the ordeal! It's understandable to have concerns, especially when it comes to structural integrity. "

Interesting post, curious what @Igor Cozman will come back with.
malba2366
last year
Electrician is right....you have concrete block walls and the 2x4 are just there to hang drywall and run wires.
millworkman
last year
malba2366 , 3 year old post.