C/U Change then Problems .............

[kung]

Bet that pint tasted good after !
Regards
Kung.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Thnaks for the update, always good to hear the outcome................

 

[TPES]

I can't see many potential customers going for this "full test" before changing CU, then if faults are found and they don't want the remedial work doing, then charge them for a periodic. I think 9/10 times I would get "this is not what I asked for, I wanted a new consumer unit, not for you to spend the day fault finding"

I know it's wrong, but this is the reality and how neive customers are to what's involved in electrical work.

 

[dufjax]

I can't see many potential customers going for this "full test" before changing CU, then if faults are found and they don't want the remedial work doing, then charge them for a periodic. I think 9/10 times I would get "this is not what I asked for, I wanted a new consumer unit, not for you to spend the day fault finding"

I know it's wrong, but this is the reality and how neive customers are to what's involved in electrical work.

We don't give customer the option, they get a full test. We do however explain this to the customer before we start any work / testing. If we find a problem we stop and agree a way forward with the customer.

It gives up a good reputation, that's why I think our competition "the CU change for £120 all in" are now selling motorbike spares and not doing CU changes.


Jim

 

[shagg]

I can't see many potential customers going for this "full test" before changing CU, then if faults are found and they don't want the remedial work doing, then charge them for a periodic. I think 9/10 times I would get "this is not what I asked for, I wanted a new consumer unit, not for you to spend the day fault finding"

I know it's wrong, but this is the reality and how neive customers are to what's involved in electrical work.

Hi sid it's because of customers like you have stated that I DO test before I change the c/u, because it's that type of customer that will start playing up once a fault crops up and extra work is needed ( ie not paying for it )
If they don't like it I would rather walk away and let some other mug take it on

 

[trebor]

Scenario: I was asked to replace a consumer unit in a house, rewireable to dual rcd. No previous problems. I did a visual inspection of the installation, did Zs'z on the rings, all was satisfactory. Changed the board, all circuits stable, and began to test. I've come across a break in the ring - no continuity on the end-to-ends.

Problem: the whole house (small victorian terrace) has the dreaded laminate flooring and the owners are not at all happy not at all happy not at all happy that I might have to get under their floors to find the break.

If the break is due to a wiring mistake then I can make to two 16A radials out of the mistake. If it's a mechanical break through the cable I should sort it out in case of exposed/extraneous conductive parts issues, although the stable rcds and mcbs would suggest this isn't the case.

1. Would you chaps be happy to go for the two 16A radials option?
2. Should I have done full tests on each circuit before I agreed to change it? As far is I know this is not required and I've never done this before.

Perhaps I should not say this for fear of insulting you but, have you made certain that you are actually tesing two legs of a ring as it can be quite easy to mix up circuits when changing a ccu.

The fact that your Zs readings were ok prompted this thought as in theory if the ring was broken you would have had increasing values on the 2 `radials`

 

[TPES]

I totally agree, i've just had alot of hassle lately with customers not wanting to pay or offering a silly amount from the agreed price. It's doing my head in. I'm not just on about cu changes. People think "it's only 2 sockets" and don't understand at all what's involved. Even though I try to explain before I start. Does my head in! I've just had a bad month!

 

[shagg]

Some times a lot of the things us sparkys do will seem really unnecessary to the customer. But i'v seen it time and time again, where my past companys i'v worked for have shot themself's in the foot to please the customer who where pains to start with. And you could say i'v leant from their lessons. Cuz some customer will rip you off anyway they can if you let them. At the end of the day, it's all about covering your own a**s, It's just business

If you get a bad feeling about something it's normaly because theres a reason, No what I mean

 

[JJPS]

If you get a bad feeling about something it's normaly because theres a reason, No what I mean

Totally agree!! If it smell like ****, look's like **** then I would consider it ****!!!!

I now (after a few painful lessons) know to walk away from jobs whose client gives me a feeling of being difficult. Better that than do the work, supply the materials and not get paid.

On this point however I have in the past written to the client expressing concerns, not sure if this is a legal requirement or just for my own sense of inner well being. I would also hasten to mention that this was non electrical work before everyone jump's on my case about notices.

 

[dufjax]

If they don't like it I would rather walk away and let some other mug take it on

Then wait for the call when it all goes pete tong... Only down side is you then have to work with the utter cr** board they put in.


Jim

 

[shagg]

Then wait for the call when it all goes pete tong... Only down side is you then have to work with the utter cr** board they put in.


Jim

But then in there eyes your prices are justified and hopefuly they pay quicker

 

[flukey]

I tell the customer that the CU change is a job spread over 2 days. 1st to do a full PIR to check for faults and a second day to install the CU. I only start the 2nd day after discussing the results with the customer and make them aware that there may be other faults that become apparant when the CU is changed, like shared neutrals on landing lights that trip both RCD's when the light is switched on.
The quote then clearly shows the 2 items as separate and with a separate price for each so if after the PIR they decide not to carry on you get paid for the PIR only and all go home happy.

i bet you dont get many cu changes then

 

[TPES]

I would be interested to know andekoch your average price for a cu change