How do you plan and execute your work?

[peter d]

I'm not looking for serviceability, because I think we generally consider that in most installations.

[jaylectricity]

One of the things my old boss taught me was that someday, someone (maybe not you) will need to sort through your work. If it was you, wouldn't you appreciate it if the previous guy gave you consideration and tried to make things easier for you?

I'm a Golden Rule type. Actually I have only two rules.

#1 Treat people the way you want to be treated
#2 Take responsibility for your actions

Those two rules cover a lot of ground.

[mdshunk]

Depends on the type of work. Plans/specs, design/build, service call, T&M small job? More effort can be put into making things nice for the next guy on certain type of work than on others, mainly due to economic influences.

[tallguy]

"I always consider the "next guy" and ease of troubleshooting."

I do old-work exclusively... the "next guy" is usually me.

[480sparky]

I always think of the next guy. 98% of the time, that will be me.

[electricguy61]

I agree. 95% of the time I'm the next guy.

For example: Running a spare 12/3 or 14/3 home run into an isolated area of a commercial or residential job.

On one 9 story building I work on regularly that has paid utilities, running 12/3 mc instead of 12/2. or an extra 12/3 while I'm pulling the first one makes it much easier to run that second circuit (or 3rd & 4th) 3 months later. I know going the extra mile will pay off in the future.

Same thing with residential. On large custom homes you know they're going to call you back for a circuit here or there, and having it already in the attic or under the floor saves a ton of time. I also install conduit or pull wires from all new services into the attic and crawl space at the time of the initial installation.

Bottom line: Unless you really mess up, you're the one that will be called back to do the next job. Might as well make it easier on yourself.

[iaov]

I often am "The next guy"

[e57]

Over the last 12 years I have remodeled portions of the same home 4 times, 4 different clients, for 3 different companies. The second time I did not even realize it - I opened the panel - had a bit of dejavu, and said to myself, "Hey, nice work... Wait, thats my hand writing?!?" The 3rd time I really thought of the next guy, and it was me again.