What are you supposed to do?

[spraymate1]

Hi all, I've just started working for myself, and as am sure is the same for some of you guys, work is hard to come by.
My problem is, according to whats right, before you you start any work, your supposed to do a pre-work survey, paying particular attension to main bonding. Now the number of times i have gone to quote on a job, then brought up the subject that the main bonding should be upgraded, or even installing it, I just get the feeling that the customer is thinking, "oh here we go, lets see how much he can fleece us for". Now what do you guys do, If there not interested in getting that done, do you just walk away and loose the job, or do you do the original work and hope knowone pulls you on it in the future.
Hope this makes sense, thanks.

 

[nikmet]

Walk away mate, thier the sort of customer who will 100% blame you if they or family get hurt afterwards, no such thing as a cheap job...............a safe job yes...........cheap unsafe job NO

 

[white armour]

Always take my "Electricians Guide to the Building Regs" with me, that way you can show the customer a diagram and a reg number from an official document. If that does not persuade them get them to sign a disclaimer at the very least or walk away as said above any blame will come back to you.

Regards wa

 

[Mr Mike]

You can't do a job and leave, knowing the main bonding needs installing, for example. You need to be able to sleep at night. Plus the next person will highlight the main bonding needs installing: no more reccommendations plus your professionalism will be questioned.

 

[saveloy]

A disclaimer is worthless should anything go wrong. As the competent person/ expert you are deemed responsible for the work being safe. If its not to regs and something happens, then a disclaimer will not negate your responsibility as you shouldn't be carrying out the work at all.

 

[telectrix]

agree with all above posts. however , if you come across a job, say, 20 years old install, with 6mm bonding, as long as the bonding conductors are sound and correctly connected, use the adiabatic to size the min. csa of the main earth, and if the bonding complies with 1/2 if that csa, you can leave as is. obviously, if no main bonding is in place, you've got to fit it.

 

[spraymate1]

Thanks guys for your prompt replies, I know your all right in what you say, just finding it really difficult at the moment to turn work down.

 

[alli]

Depending on how big a job they are looking for, could you turn it to your advantage with a bit of a sales pitch like - you need the bonding upgrading, if you pay for the cable I'll install it for free while I do the other work! and build the cost into the overall price.
Lets face it if glazers can double glaze the front of your house and do the back for free, is it free or already built into the price.

 

[ezzzekiel]

telectrix once again hits the nail on the head, you will often find people insisting bonding/earthing MUST be upgraded when in most cases it does not and may be noted, bonding missing altogether is a different matter and must be instaklled.

I use printed leaflets explaining in layman terms the need for main bonding and giving a copy to customer to read through.

 

[IQ Electrical]

telectrix once again hits the nail on the head, you will often find people insisting bonding/earthing MUST be upgraded when in most cases it does not and may be noted, bonding missing altogether is a different matter and must be instaklled.

I use printed leaflets explaining in layman terms the need for main bonding and giving a copy to customer to read through.

This is exactly what the scheme providers should be producing, a 'mini business pack' for members with say a hundred each of bonding, RCD and PIR information leaflets, explaining in simple terms why their registered contractor has flagged up a problem and what should be done to rectify the situation.

 

[DurhamSparky]

i take a copy of Earthing and Bonding from ESC with me!!

only on ONE instance have i not ran Water Bond to the Water pipe and that was because it was not feesable and i put it down a s a deviation on the paperwork...!

 

[1shortcircuit]

do you do the original work and hope knowone pulls you on it in the future.

544.1.2 The main equipotential bonding connection to any gas, water or other service shall be made as near as practicable to the point of entry of that service into the premises. Where there is an insulating section or insert at that point, or there is a meter, the connection shall be made to the consumer's hard metal pipework and before any branch pipework. Where practicable the connection shall be made within 600mm of the meter outlet union or at the point of entry to the building if the meter is external.

:30:

 

[Octopus]

This is exactly what the scheme providers should be producing, a 'mini business pack' for members with say a hundred each of bonding, RCD and PIR information leaflets, explaining in simple terms why their registered contractor has flagged up a problem and what should be done to rectify the situation.

Plus placing advertisements in newspapers and on TV to educate the millions too.

What's really tough is combating the number of builders, bathroom fitters, kitchen fitters etc who do electrical work with the skills etc and they don't give a dam for the regulations.

As long as we all club together and sing off a consistent hymm book the message will slowly get out there!

 

[PC Electrics]

This is exactly what the scheme providers should be producing, a 'mini business pack' for members with say a hundred each of bonding, RCD and PIR information leaflets, explaining in simple terms why their registered contractor has flagged up a problem and what should be done to rectify the situation.

Like here?
Leaflets : Electrical Safety Council
not exhaustive, but growing it would seem.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Like here?
Leaflets : Electrical Safety Council
not exhaustive, but growing it would seem.

Yes, i often post links to these but schemes could have them badged up and included in a members pack with ID badge etc. All items that set us apart from the 'fly by nights' in the local rag.