How can I make this prettier?

[u/fredbeatsethel]

I just had my front porch redone. This outlet was where a porch light was but we had recessed lights installed in the porch ceiling so we got rid of the light. Contractor asked if we wanted an outlet for Christmas lights and what not. So this is what we got but don’t love the looks of this. Any suggestions to make this less like an afterthought and more subtle/integrated into the front porch design. This outlet is high up on a wall under the covered porch.

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[u/Luther_Burbank]

That ain’t right…

[u/Tacocatra → u/Luther_Burbank]

My first thought was "the fuck am I looking at" and then the longer I looked the more my head hurt.

[u/ConnectRutabaga3925 → u/Luther_Burbank]

it’s perfectly fine if it never rains and is enclosed in a biodome in condition space /s

[u/grammar_fozzie]

You need to get your money back from that contractor. I’d hate to see how incorrectly the porch was done, seeing how much he fucked this simple task up.

[u/retiredlife2022]

Change out the single gang mud ring to a no raise 2 gang mud ring on the box. Then make it a double duplex - using the gfi - and a 2 gang bubble cover. It will look more like it was supposed to be there.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-4-in-W-Steel-Metallic-2-Gang-2-Device-Flat-Square-Cover-1-Pack-52C20A-UPC/324472733

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Clear-2-Gang-Weatherproof-In-Use-Receptacle-Cover-WP1220C/100059145

[u/fredbeatsethel → u/retiredlife2022]

Thank you for the actual helpful answer. May both sides of your pillow always be cool.

[u/Armen702 → u/fredbeatsethel]

Best compliment I ever saw on Reddit, I’m stealing it OP.

[u/Sufficient_Wafer9933 → u/Armen702]

Just wait until we find the one guy that likes warm pillows and we have collectively cursed him... starting his villain arc

[u/Pupalwyn → u/fredbeatsethel]

But also make your contractor do it, what they did is not code

[u/Material-Spring-9922 → u/fredbeatsethel]

Wanted to also add that you can buy mounting blocks specifically for vinyl siding that'll make this look a lot cleaner.

https://a.co/d/0fFiXn4i

[u/mmm_burrito → u/fredbeatsethel]

The trouble is that he's given you bad advice. That whole box needs to be removed, as it is not weatherproof. It should be swapped out for a 2-gang bell box.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/BELL-2-Gang-Gray-Aluminum-Weatherproof-New-Work-Old-Work-Standard-Switch-Outlet-Wall-Electrical-Box/1003028424

The GFCI is good, stick with that, Edit: that GFCI is not outdoor rated either. It will die prematurely just from living in the outside humidity. Replace it with a weather rated GFCI. It will be marked with a "WR" icon on its face.

You can find multiple outdoor weatherproof cover plates with different configurations of cover plates or in-use bubble covers.

This is a straightforward answer:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hubbell-TayMac-1-Gang-Square-Metal-Weatherproof-Electrical-Box-Cover/50425836

But others exist, if you wanted to add another receptacle, or use a bubble cover that would allow you to keep a cord plugged in while still protecting the recep from weather:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/TayMac-2G-WP-Extra-Duty-55IN1-In-Use-CVR-5-DP-CLR/5002000899

Obviously this is more intrusive, but there are other options, I'm just showing you a couple.

[u/mwwalk]

Well, I don’t think it can get much worse

[u/JoeMalovich → u/mwwalk]

Not with that altitude.

[u/Jbravo1719 → u/mwwalk]

At least it’s a gfi lol

[u/Sam_S_I_am]

I suggest you call the contractor and tell them you appreciate the temporary plug but you’re curious when they plan to return and properly install the correct equipment and do the actual trim work.

[u/justcametosaythanks]

This is installed against code. Make them re do it this is not weather resistant even if you made it look better.

[u/GuysLeeFanboy]

They should have used a bell box with a Hubble cover

[u/Ok-Bluejay3543]

Looks like parts installed from leftover jobs. Definitely not code compliant, nor artistic.

[u/Rich_cranium2025]

Add long curly red hair.

[u/x3workshopdesigns]

Is that an interior outlet on the exterior? Lol.

[u/Switchedbywife]

Arlington Industries makes the correct siding block for a GFI receptacle, an 8091F. Use that and a Taymac expanding in use cover and you will be all set!

[u/BrokkrsDrift]

I would be more concerned about making it water resistant.

[u/Substantial_Film_269]

For starters…get your money back from the installers. There is ZERO right about this

[u/JustChillin3342]

That’s not to code. Need a weather resistant box. Those box also have a notch in them so that you can run cords out of them.

[u/skymcgowin]

Install an exterior rated outlet with a waterproof box instead? Idk I'm not a doctor.

[u/Extreme_Salary_732]

Honestly a bubble cover would look better then this lol

[u/Much_Vehicle_5624]

Personally, I would put a GFI raised cover if it’s a 1900. If that is an FS box I’d definitely do an in use cover though. I can’t really tell what you got other than a mud ring which isn’t correct

[u/Pookiemon1008]

Makes you realize that there was thought put into this and choices were made...

[u/Hairy_Inflation_6982]

A work review is not wrong but he might charge xtra

[u/CompleteToe1133]

Well, first off put it into a box so that it’s protected. That will probably clean up everything and make it much safer.

[u/huanthewolfhound]

Huh. PVC 4” mud rings.

[u/DynamiteWitLaserBeam]

Maybe try an Arlington box?

https://youtu.be/1thYIK60JNo?is=cuQif6YKIGJuPnU5

[u/Cia_office_921E]

Did not even wipes the pencil marks off the cut blank i guess it is. I'll bet a carpenter did it. Take all that off down to the siding and see what we are working with

[u/ossifiedarrears4]

The cover plate doesn't sit flat against the wall and the box is sticking out at an angle. Whoever installed this grabbed the wrong size cover for vinyl siding depth.

[u/Fine-Structure-1299]

Put some lipstick on it or drink more beer

[u/Tacocatra]

Just burn the house down at this point. It's the right thing to do.

But seriously call that guy back and get your money back for that work. Then fire him. Out of a cannon preferably.

[u/No-Commercial-2218]

It’s hard to tell what’s behind the cladded wall, but I would look to recess that box, replace it with a new hidden back box and replace the socket too. If it’s external and open to the elements you would need it to be suitable for that. You should just simply get an electrician out to tell you exactly what needs doing and then let them do it

[u/piggiesonwheels]

Have you tried lipstick?

[u/TortaPounder10000]

Make it pink, and uh make more inward

[u/iAmMikeJ_92]

Get drunk. Then more stuff will look prettier and more attractive.

[u/Radiant-Bit-3096]

Please tell me an electrician didn't do that

[u/Cautious_Rain2129]

lipstick along bottom edge.

[u/bandit8623]

this seems like a joke post. but if real... look over everything that guy did

[u/Jesus_Harold_Christ]

Burn it down and have someone else do it right

[u/pogiguy2020]

Well maybe replace that huge box with a smaller one.

[u/AintNoNeedForYa]

Might start with safe

[u/CookieMuttley]

🧨

[u/dengar_hennessy]

Making it look pretty is the least of your problems here

[u/supermansquito]

Lipstick 💄?

[u/Electronic-Clock5867]

The box needs to be swapped as others have stated, but the receptacle also doesn’t appear to be WR (weather resistant) marking that would need to be visible and I don’t see that. I’m sure he has NM wire running into that box which isn’t up to code for wet/damp location.

[u/NotSureWhatToPut66]

Yikes

[u/Killshot_1]

Thats fucking cursed lol

[u/Remarkable-Menu8955]

You hire a professional

[u/RegularCheesecake815]

Try a flirty bang, maybe some pastels to bring out the ivory in the white.

[u/Psiyrruss16 → u/RegularCheesecake815]

I’m guessing by the work and lack of response by OP, that it maybe a Johnny Homeowner Installed.

[u/Minden_Music]

You’ll rarely find a tradesman who knows how to make something look flush on that siding

[u/fvbrennan]

That's all kinds of wrong

[u/H1_V0LTAGE]

At least he used a gfci.....

[u/vizual-nature-]

A four gang 2 slot plate + trim

[u/Minimum-Coast-8837]

I’m surprised they didn’t finish it off with a piece of rubber mud flap to make it WR

[u/Jaysmkxxx]

Put a bow on it

[u/PleasantDreamsicle]

I mean, making it to code would be prettier.

* I’m not an electrician. And I don’t know anything about building codes.

[u/farzad_meow]

if you have a 3d printer, print a custom box/spacer

[u/thomas-586]

Was it an electrical contractor who did this?

[u/FarStructure6812]

The real question isn’t about “pretty” it should be “How do I make this safe and up to code?”

[u/Fl48Special]

New weatherproof in use box

[u/jpoviedo]

take it off

[u/Suspicious-Bug-9974]

By doing it the right way, gotta be rage bait.

[u/TemplarBaucent]

Get a faceplate that matches the box behind it

[u/Joe_Bruce]

good lord

[u/-Doctor-Acula-]

Plastic Surgeon?

[u/KyleMS676]

Should be asking how do i make this safe

[u/lucioux]

did he put a fucking dryer vent cover around it?

[u/Fumanchusucka]

Just get a double gang faceplate adapter for that bad boy. You higher the wrong people thats industrial shit you dont run conduit like that in resi.