553.1.6

[SirKit Breaker]

Never assume anything with customers...heights, positions, designs. Even when they say "put it wherever you like", don't believe them.

And once its agreed put it in writing as well.

 

[happyhippy68]

As long as you learn from it though, As guitarist says never believe them. I always include a standard page in every quote with socket heights, switch heights, locations and finishes on it so when they sign and return my copy I have a detailed agreed specification to refer back to if needed with awkward customers. It may cost me an extra 20 pence in printing costs per quote, but it can save a massive argument or costly work later.

 

[Guitarist]

When discussing accessory placements and heights, always have a marker pen handy too for them to put an X exactly where they want it. I have lost track of the number customers who even tell me the height, then when I show them they say "Oh no, that's too high/low."
Sometimes you just can't win, but if I gave any electrician just one piece of advice, it would be to "Never assume anything".

 

[Andy78]

Always a good idea to leave some slack cable under sockets. Saved us on a job once when socket heights were agreed and first fixed, then customer wanted them moving up after he ordered all the skirting without measuring. Doh.

 

[ruston]

Always a good idea to leave some slack cable under sockets. Saved us on a job once when socket heights were agreed and first fixed, then customer wanted them moving up after he ordered all the skirting without measuring. Doh.

And TV sockets, well that is another matter. I like to see the TV before I even consider negotiating that one.

 

[Andy78]

The same job as above we got asked to install 6no. Aerial points. Which we did. Client said he couldnt wait to watch the sky multiroom he was getting. We told him it might have been an idea to tell us he needed sky shotgun cable before we ran in single coax.
He really regretted project managing his own refurb by the time it was done.