How would you have dealt with this scenerio....

sythai · May 26, 2011

Recent kitchen refit....

Looked at job all good, nice new CU twin RCDs, bonding all in place. And a circuit there marked up kitchen ring, happy days.

Carry out job all could, come to do final tests and RCD (crabtree) is knackered, tripping at >400ms with and without any load, swapped it over with the other one to prove and definitely a faulty unit.

Tried explaining this to the customer and they're weren't happy to pay the extra £40 for a new RCD, said it should have been stated in the estimate ! Great...

In the end just used one from my own van stock for the sake of being able to sign it off, but now I'm out of pocket.

In an ideal world it would be nice to carry out a full PIR first on all the potential circuits, but not always possible.

Different on a CU upgrade as I clearly state in my estimate any any underlying faults will be charged at £xx/hr + mats. Think it's time to update my T&C's again.

Any thoughts,

Thanks Sy

robsparky1975 · May 26, 2011

I wonder wether the lovely people at crabtree might help,tell them the scenario,it must be an embarressment for them that their equiptment has failed,its a long shot but an email costs nothing,out of interest where/how is it best to get my t&c sorted,im a bit new to the business side of things.

Wiredspark · May 26, 2011

I think the wording of your "quote/estimate" is the essential part here. If your paperwork to the client says "quote" and doesn't have a clause for "if however in the event of..." then your snookered mate, your it for the new equipment. Check your paperwork, see where you sit and evaluate where they sit.
If you've notified them (in writing) of additional works being required before doing it, then you can persue them through small claims but, if you've carried out the work before speaking to them about the additional cost regarless of the wording then again you it's your cost mate. You'll just have to smile and say "thanks mate, thats your job done" and then under your breath curse and swear and kick yourself repeatedly, then smile again and think "everyday is a school day"