Can this electrical riser be rerouted in a condo flip?

Question

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gFQnc2We8UwRdf_agSS8is3UCqD... (picture link)

We're working on a condo flip in a high-rise in Honolulu and love some input from electricians/contractors who have dealt with this before.

We removed a narrow wall between the kitchen the kitchen and living room to open up the space. After demo, we were left with an exposed "pole" coming from the ceiling down to the floor with an outlet at the bottom. The GC says it can't be rerouted because it's connected to the upper and lower units.

Our goal is to install a small 2-person island/counter in that area and hide all wiring so there's no visible pole in the middle of the room.

If this is a shared element that serving multiple units, is it possible to reroute it through or shift its location into the wall next to it?

Chris Seveney · Answer

You would need HOA approval as this is most likely considered a common element and if you were to damage it and impact other units the lawsuit and damages could be worth more than your unit, especially if done without HOA approval.

Isi Nau · Answer

Hi Kwok.  I've had some tough experiences flipping condos on Oahu, where we changed the layout/floor plan.  Yours is a very small change (removing the narrow wall).  In any other world, this is very minor, and completely safe, but in Hawaii (maybe only Honolulu) the associations are overly worried.  Requiring crazy things, like architectural drawings and permits for simple things like this.

Twice, people have reported us to an association for making "substantial" alterations that were actually minor, up to code, and safe.  This led to costly and time consuming processes.  Now, if we flip a condo we keep it simple and just update it.  No changes to the floor plan or layout.  If no other units in your building have the 2-person island, then it will be a great feature, but may draw too much attention, and questions.  The association could require you to put the wall back.

It looks like your unit is concrete flooring, and I assume concrete ceiling.  Not sure if you would need to cut some of the concrete to do what you're planning.  Some buildings on Oahu have tensioner cables in the concrete. Cutting or damaging one  is a costly mistake.

Hope this helps!

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

That's just a small box, of course you can move it and hide it. It might get expensive depending on where the wires originate and where they come from. But sure you can do it I've moved entire sub panels in condo units.

depending on what those circuits serve, you might even be able to pull them back into a box and get rid of that, maybe serve the purpose from another circuit you steal from.....

I call an electrician and not ask your contractor, he's clearly not knowledgeable enough.

Can this electrical riser be rerouted in a condo flip?

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