Why do commercial sparks bash house bashers?

[Electrics]

I've just started an apprenticeship with a decent sized firm (I got taken on full time - hooray!) and was thinking this week about how a lot of people, mostly online, turn their nose up at people who do domestic work.

I was wondering why, since at my work everybody seems to do the bare minimum but with most decent domestic sparks i know, they tend to go the extra mile.

Is there a difference in quality of workmanship simply because people want to do a better job for their own customers as opposed to commercial sparks who are simply getting the job done and aren't personally responsible for the final job?

Just seems to be a lot more 'just get it done' mentality on the commercial side.

Another thing i noticed is hardly anyone has the correct tools for the job and the tools they do have are mashed up.

So people will be using blunt cutters where the tip of one side has shattered off, or drivers with half the shaft insulation hanging off. Then there are other things which not bad but just 'doing it the hard way' like cutting PVC conduit with a hack saw having 3m of it flapping about instead of just buying a £10 pipe cutter, or using hammer and chisel/pad saw to cut out for back boxes where the wall is double skinned chipboard/plasterboard because nobody has a multi tool. Putting up conduit? Simply measure out from some maybe straight maybe wonky reference point and use your 6 inch torpedo level to get it right, instead of simply using a proper spirit level, making the job ten times easier.

When in the domestic setting it seems most people have the basic tools that make life easier.

Is it simply a case of 'not my job, don't care that much' on site compared with running private jobs directly in people's homes?

 

[Grant1987]

More so these days, yes. It all depends on the work and conditions, though. Industrial can be tough and much 'dirtier' than domestic.
As a contractor, I used to do work at a silver recovery plant, installation of new machines and services, as well as maintenance. Methods of recovery involved chemicals and the burning of x-ray plates. Never worked in worse condition, working on the burners...black as the ace of spades and absolutely shattered every night. Fault finding on breakdowns was a nightmare, everything covered in black dust and mostly in awkward spots behind the units......plus the almost unbearable heat, whilst masked up.

I’ve just read through all of these posts and I’m currently a domestic spark (house basher) insult that is. I went from commercial/industrial about 10 years ago and I was clueless at domestic and was taught how to install in the domestic environment I’ve never looked back since with work and £££ to be earned I’ve just done a 2 bed upstairs flat Rewire with my work colleague/friend and earned nice amount for 8 hours work. I then received a phone call from customer saying 2 of his neighbours want a Rewire from myself end of day money talks and this has been the case for past 10 years earnt significant amount more being domestic spark I’m comparison to commercial/industrial also I’ve had to sort out many faults of the com/ind spark could not find ?

 

[Grant1987]

I’ve just read through all of these posts and I’m currently a domestic spark (house basher) insult that is. I went from commercial/industrial about 10 years ago and I was clueless at domestic and was taught how to install in the domestic environment I’ve never looked back since with work and £££ to be earned I’ve just done a 2 bed upstairs flat Rewire with my work colleague/friend and earned nice amount for 8 hours work. I then received a phone call from customer saying 2 of his neighbours want a Rewire from myself end of day money talks and this has been the case for past 10 years earnt significant amount more being domestic spark I’m comparison to commercial/industrial also I’ve had to sort out many faults of the com/ind spark could not find ?

I’ve also contacted tomorrow’s job earlier on to tell them I’m not in work tomorrow only simple jobs of replacing couple lights and pre surveying couple of rewires due to my good days work today I’m relaxing with Jack Daniels and cola. Unlike the com/industrial sparks who are setting their alarm for 6am to ensure they are on time to get dirty and install 21mtrs of tray and walk about 2k during the day

 

[LukeD]

Domestic all the way.Just work for rich people .

 

[littlespark]

I would love to see some more industrial work, but there just isn’t the opportunity around here. Jobs would instantly go to the bigger companies.

Domestic or industrial. One is not better than the other, and as they say- variety is the spice of life.

Now agricultural. You can shove that.

Knee deep in the stinky brown stuff.. chickens pecking at your tools and the customers thoughts of health and safety is putting on a pair of socks with no holes.

 

[SparkySy]

What nooo! You can't bash the agricultural sparks! That is my main business, and I love it more than most seem to! I like the cows scratching on my MEWP making it bounce around! And being knee deep in ----! Or itchy barley in your boots/overalls. I would rather be outside than stuck in a building. And the kit I get to play on is much more fun than lifting floorboards and trying not to wreck Mrs Miggins new rug/carpet/wallpaper. Most weeks I get to play on at least a digger, telehandler or MEWP and sometimes a tractor! Yeah ok I do some domestic but only the jobs that I want to do or as part of my agricultural business.
As I have said before this is such a wide and varied industry, it's good to see as much of it as you can until you find the bit you like best!
Sy

 

[Grant1987]

What nooo! You can't bash the agricultural sparks! That is my main business, and I love it more than most seem to! I like the cows scratching on my MEWP making it bounce around! And being knee deep in ----! Or itchy barley in your boots/overalls. I would rather be outside than stuck in a building. And the kit I get to play on is much more fun than lifting floorboards and trying not to wreck Mrs Miggins new rug/carpet/wallpaper. Most weeks I get to play on at least a digger, telehandler or MEWP and sometimes a tractor! Yeah ok I do some domestic but only the jobs that I want to do or as part of my agricultural business.
As I have said before this is such a wide and varied industry, it's good to see as much of it as you can until you find the bit you like best!
Sy

I totally respect your post I was just aiming my post at the derogatory posts of sparks saying that domestic sparks are of little value we all carry out the same job and same goal. I also (used) to enjoy getting dirty and playing with the big boy toys cherry picker, boom, scissor lift but I also enjoy the domestic aspect so to all the newcomers of the industry try it all gain the experience and do what you enjoy. ?

 

[littlespark]

My anti- agriculture was of course tongue in cheek. Just a little Monday comedy.

I did everything as an apprentice. Just because of my rural location…. It was Mrs miggins on a Monday, Ten thousand chickens on a Tuesday… Windy hillside… well, you get my drift.


I think the “housebashing” isn’t exclusive to sparks. Every trade is pressured to be in and out as quick as you can…. Mistakes get picked up later.
It doesn’t make you a housebasher, it’s just the work is described as bashing.

 

[SparkySy]

Totally, mine was meant in jest somewhat! I do cover a broad range within the industry, including house bashing! Each to their own, I know a lot of sparks that hate ag work but equally I know many that hate domestic, everyone is different and will find their place in the industry, which is lucky really otherwise we would be in a right pickle!!
Much respect to everyone in our industry whichever sector they are in!

 

[Petej999]

My anti- agriculture was of course tongue in cheek. Just a little Monday comedy.

I did everything as an apprentice. Just because of my rural location…. It was Mrs miggins on a Monday, Ten thousand chickens on a Tuesday… Windy hillside… well, you get my drift.


I think the “housebashing” isn’t exclusive to sparks. Every trade is pressured to be in and out as quick as you can…. Mistakes get picked up later.
It doesn’t make you a housebasher, it’s just the work is described as bashing.

There are many people who call themselves Sparks, when all they have done is house bashing after doing a short course.

 

[Intoelectrics]

Cause house bashers aren't normally sparks. They are pretend sparks. No Qualifications except they can get it passed off by a spark. Checked and tested. Bring a house basher to an industrial job. Like tray and basket and see how they fair. What about doing a three phase board.
I bet if a piece of unistrut hit they wouldn't know what it was.

This is not true! not all "house bashers" are the short course bodge it and scarper type!

I know good electricians who can only do commercial/industrial and are clueless when it comes to domestic and vice versa. A good all round domestic sparky has to do a fair bit of problem solving, fault finding and it can be hard graft if the house is occupied or an old building.

Yeah you may get the sparky who does nothing but new builds for housing companies, much like you get some sparkies that only do maintenance on commercial/industrial properties.

There are just levels of skill and capability, where as Tel mentioned, some folk have a better aptitude for certain aspects than others.

Either way, a good tradesperson takes pride in their work, is conscientious and leaves a job tidy, safe and (hopefully) with a satisfied customer.

 

[Grant1987]

There are many people who call themselves Sparks, when all they have done is house bashing after doing a short course.

There are many people who call themselves sparks. When all they have done is cut a few bits of metal and threaded a few nuts after being thrown on site by doing naff all.

 

[7029 dave]

I took a job on in a hospital just qualified back in the early 80's, the boss said to me you are taking this job on (yep no problem), all metal conduit work.
Found out the job was given to me because a much older experienced spark (on more money than me) could not do conduit work.
Dont tell me its only labourers work like someone once told me on here.

 

[ipf]

There are many people who call themselves Sparks, when all they have done is house bashing after doing a short course.

There are many people who call themselves sparks. When all they have done is cut a few bits of metal and threaded a few nuts after being thrown on site by doing naff all.

We know, in both cases....but it's a percentage not ALL of them.
Don't tar all with the same brush just because you come across crap work.

Standards have dropped in general, we should all know that, but fully qualified electricians, no matter what their field, usually know their onions......and should be respected for doing so.

 

[ipf]

I took a job on in a hospital just qualified back in the early 80's, the boss said to me you are taking this job on (yep no problem), all metal conduit work.
Found out the job was given to me because a much older experienced spark (on more money than me) could not do conduit work.
Dont tell me its only labourers work like someone once told me on here.

Complicated conduit can be an art work, with a hell of a lot of skill involved.

Some dunces still think 'sets' are for badgers and 'dog legs' for ...er.?...dogs? Elbows' at every 90, what a mess!

They have their occasional uses but in most cases the best use for an 'elbow' is a heavy nudge in the ribs.

 

[7029 dave]

Complicated conduit can be an art work, with a hell of a lot of skill involved.

Some dunces still think 'sets' are for badgers and 'dog legs' for ...er.?...dogs? Elbows' at every 90, what a mess!

They have their occasional uses but in most cases the best use for an 'elbow' is a heavy nudge in the ribs.

Very true lol the last bit was funny