Service Change Feedback

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renosteinke

renosteinke

Senior Member
Location
NE Arkansas
A while back, I left my business in 'the city' to work for a mill in 'smalltown.' So, I've been fully employed. I bought a 'fix-er-upper- house, and just completed my service change. Last night the PoCo came to switch the wires over.

I did the service change pretty much in the manner I've always done them, with just a few 'nice touches.' For example, I used pipe-wrap and IMC for the GEC sleeve, rather than the usual EMT.

Mind you, "Smalltown" is dead center in the poorest county of the poorest state in the Union. There's not a lot of money floating around. Here, a 'service' is most often a simple meter base slapped to the wall,and a length of SER. I don't think they've ever seen an All-in-one, a rigid mast, or strut. I KNOW they've never seen an engraved, riveted address tag - though the PoCo specs call for one.

Well, both the inspector and the lineman were impressed. Two comments stood out:
"This wasn't done by anybody around here," and,
"If you ever need work, I can send you some customers."

Well, those comments made me feel all warm and fuzzy. :)

More relevant to this forum, though: the comments suggest that there IS a demand for excellence, that 'bare minimum, cheap as possible' isn't always what the folks want. Even her, in this rural economic wasteland.

Along those lines, it means that you have to get the message out that you deliver exceptional value - and that your rates aren't that much more. Sort of like the way a Cadillac isn't that much more than an Oldsmobile. Or, if you prefer, the way Nike has been able to market their pricey stuff to poor city kids - in direct competition with $10 Wal-Mart sneakers.

There's the challenge.
 
Years ago my Dad and I changed out my MIL's service and added several new circuits as well.
Since she pulled her own permit (you can do that here if you are the homeowner) the inspector asked her. Who did this work for you? She told him our names and he replied those two do great work!
Made my day!
 
You dont sell your price you sell your value for that price. I was a "going rate " company and we were having a very hard time it wasn't until I broke free of that thinking was I able to start getting into the higher profits. Value comes in a lot of ways not just in the installation but value begins the moment you answer your phone,often the value is you answered the phone.Things like how does your truck look are you in a clean uniform shirt do you have all your sales tools with you are you listening and answering questions these are value builders and this is what allows you to get into a profit sale.
 
I always tell guys when they do a good job, but then I also try to set them straight when they don't.

Had one just this morning, wasn't really a code issue, but I probably could have made it one, just poor workmanship and I let them know that they were better than that and I expected more out of them.

Remember any hack can do a lousy job, so if you want to bad mouth the hacks you have to be better than them.
 
cowboyjwc said:
I always tell guys when they do a good job, but then I also try to set them straight when they don't.

Had one just this morning, wasn't really a code issue, but I probably could have made it one, just poor workmanship and I let them know that they were better than that and I expected more out of them.

Remember any hack can do a lousy job, so if you want to bad mouth the hacks you have to be better than them.
Click to expand...

Agreed, The last thing I need is a peeing contest with the inspector.

With him thinking if he can't make it look good what else did he screw up.....
 
renosteinke said:
I did the service change pretty much in the manner I've always done them, with just a few 'nice touches.' For example, I used pipe-wrap and IMC for the GEC sleeve, rather than the usual EMT.

.
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm confused but, I thought metallic conduit for the GEC was illegal unless bonded at both ends?

Not that it makes any sense or matters. When lightning strikes it's gonna make a mess :)
 
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Rewire said:
You dont sell your price you sell your value for that price. I was a "going rate " company and we were having a very hard time it wasn't until I broke free of that thinking was I able to start getting into the higher profits. Value comes in a lot of ways not just in the installation but value begins the moment you answer your phone,often the value is you answered the phone.Things like how does your truck look are you in a clean uniform shirt do you have all your sales tools with you are you listening and answering questions these are value builders and this is what allows you to get into a profit sale.
Click to expand...


Great reply Rewire.
 
Rewire said:
You dont sell your price you sell your value for that price. I was a "going rate " company and we were having a very hard time it wasn't until I broke free of that thinking was I able to start getting into the higher profits. Value comes in a lot of ways not just in the installation but value begins the moment you answer your phone,often the value is you answered the phone.Things like how does your truck look are you in a clean uniform shirt do you have all your sales tools with you are you listening and answering questions these are value builders and this is what allows you to get into a profit sale.
Click to expand...

That is so true,(bold above), POCO has my number for meter replacements, as well as others. He'll give them the cheaper number first, sometimes they answer sometimes they don't, when they don't, they give them my number and tell the HO " this guy isn't cheap, but will answer his phone"
Most of the time its an emergency so they need someone to answer!
 
renosteinke said:
I did the service change pretty much in the manner I've always done them, with just a few 'nice touches.' For example, I used pipe-wrap and IMC for the GEC sleeve, rather than the usual EMT.

Mind you, "Smalltown" is dead center in the poorest county of the poorest state in the Union. There's not a lot of money floating around. Here, a 'service' is most often a simple meter base slapped to the wall,and a length of SER. I don't think they've ever seen an All-in-one, a rigid mast, or strut. I KNOW they've never seen an engraved, riveted address tag - though the PoCo specs call for one.
Click to expand...

I have to ask.... what is "pipe-wrap and IMC" as well as a "length of SER"?
 
220/221 ... You're right, you do need to bond the pipe at both ends. There's even a ground clamp made for this purpose.

"Pipe wrap" is a heavy vinyl tape, required in the mechanical code to be used whenever gas lines are in earth contact. It's an alternative to Ocal, RobRoy, and other coated pipe.

IMC is an alternative to rigid. "Intermediate metal conduit." I cannot think of any circumstance where you cannot use IMC in place of RMC.

SER is the glorified 'Romex' type cable used in many residential services, by electricians other than I.
 
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