Over sized switches

[Colour Republic]

Hello EF,

Got lost from some of Dan's other forums but thought I’d post a question anyway.

So I took on a little redec job, a quick in and out one but one of the other things we had to do is change a few random brass face plates for white to match the existing. All fairly straight forward and doesn't require much thinking about... you'd think

So all offending brass face plates are changed until it comes to a double light switch in the hall, this particular light switch is butted up to some architrave and is an oversized Victorian scroll one. DOH!

Of course when a standard white face plate is installed you can see all the imperfections around the light switch. To make matters worse it's a shallow back box, not only that but the neutrals are connected in the back box so you can imagine the space left. Now the oversized Victorian faceplates also have a bit of depth to them so all the cables can just about fit without being squashed.

So by fitting a standard white face plate it shows the imperfections and crushes the wires due to it being just a few mm shallower.

Sooooooo... my question is, can you get oversized white face plates? I've asked my normal trade suppliers, TLC, QVS, BDC... and all look at me a bit funny.

Come on EF save me the heart ache of replacing the back box and making good on a finished job (almost) and what was supposed to be a quick in and out

 

[Johno]

Yep, the good old 5 minute job!

 

[Spudnik]

I This would never be a problem in most cases it's just sods law you're walking away from a small job and you realise you're gonna have to make two more trips on what is essentially an added freebie for the customer. Foot in mouth comes to mind

Now you know how we feel

 

[Des 56]

At least the decorator can be comforted by the knowledge that, they are much better paid than us ( and for fixing sockets and switches out of level as well)

 

[Colour Republic]

At least the decorator can be comforted by the knowledge that, they are much better paid than us ( and for fixing sockets and switches out of level as well)

Don't forget lining up the face plates screws too, you sloppy gits.

I've just been reading that thread on prices in this climate, suprised that some would post their day rates but there you go.

I wasn't aware some of you boys were finding it tough at the moment. With the sort of interior refurbishment work we take on it's easier to sell your services over your rivals as most of it is a finishing trade and your quality of work is on display, so price is not the overiding factor with the majority of our clients. Where as I suppose with you boys cost is a major factor, well at least with domestic clients that don't care if it looks pretty they just want it to work. Out of sight, out of mind.

 

[Johno]

Exactly, the customer don't want to pay for work they can't see (safety don't come in to it)!

 

[Colour Republic]

Exactly, the customer don't want to pay for work they can't see (safety don't come in to it)!

I blame DIY sheds selling consumer units and 'How to re-wire your house in 4 easy steps" leaflets

 

[cbw]

I have no problem posting my rates, why should it be an issue?, every quote gets a copy, it was on my old web site and will be on the new one.

I am unfortunately turning work away/down as I am stuffed with repeat business/refferals and direct marketing.

I feel that complete (almost) transparancy and honesty is one of the keys to my current success.

Seems to work for me anyway???

James

 

[Johno]

I agree cbw, I think my honesty is the reason I am so busy!

I am not saying the rest of you aren't honest! lol

 

[Colour Republic]

I have no problem posting my rates, why should it be an issue?, every quote gets a copy, it was on my old web site and will be on the new one.

I am unfortunately turning work away/down as I am stuffed with repeat business/refferals and direct marketing.

I feel that complete (almost) transparancy and honesty is one of the keys to my current success.

Seems to work for me anyway???

James

Believe me I agree completely with transparency and honesty but not all work can be priced on day rate, in most cases that's a steady wage but not a business with room to grow. But that wasn't my really my point, I’m surprised because this is an open forum and as such customers can see your pricing, you can't expect customers to understand the complexities of your job, so say a customer saw your day rate, you priced it up as 7 days but it only took 5, a customer may put 2 and 2 together and equal 9. They may well feel ripped off but you can be assured they won't feel grateful if you come across problems and it takes 9 days.

I know you put your prices on your website and it works for you but I certainly couldn't operate like that. If I’m designing a kitchen lets say, it could take days for me to get the design right and source the products for that design, How would I incorporate that work into a day rate? I'm sure there is work you undertake that is out of the customers view, do you not get rewarded for that time spent?
In any case i’m not here to start a big debate on the subject as i’m sure it must have been done on here a hundred times. I was just surprised that’s all, don’t mean to cause offence

 

[cbw]

And no offence taken.

Once said to a freind the only things that would offend me would be sleeping with my wife and vomiting on my carpet......Blow me down, he was sick on my carpets later that night after hitting the grouse.

Still wasnt offended!

 

[Johno]

Price work and day rate are completely different things and if the customer has agreed to the price then if you do it quicker = bonus and slower = stand it!

I would never work for a private customer on a day rate, day rates are for regulars only.