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McLintock

McLintock

Senior Member
Location
USA
Occupation
Electrician
I put a bid on my old employers(when I did garage doors) new house about 8 month’s ago. He texted me the other day and ask about the size of wire he needs from the pedestal to the panel in the house, I told him you need to ask the electrician you hired for the project, because it’s not my project to worry about or work on. This is what he sent me “Got it. Sorry to bother you on your high horse ….FYI haven’t hired anyone yet. “

Something sounds funny if you are at that stage where your needing wire in the ground and have not hired a electrician. My mind says he’s going to do it all himself. Also found out he was bugging the guys at the SH the other day, they told him to get a electrician.

How would y’all respond? I have not yet was trying to think of a good response and not sound unhelpful or pigheaded.


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IMO your response was fine. If he wants to hire you to do the project then you'll know what size conductors are required. You owe him nothing so that's what I would give him.
 
I also feel that you don't owe him anything. If it needs explaining, just clarify that what he's asking for is exactly what you get paid to figure out. Additionally if he took your advice and created a problematic/unsafe installation, you could be on the hook if something were to go wrong.

Rob G
 
I am a DIYer.

I've learned that doing a proper job requires proper knowledge. You either hire a professional who has the knowledge or you spend the effort to learn the knowledge.

Here you had someone asking for the knowledge for free, and then getting offended when you said no freebies. IMHO you gave a perfectly fair answer.

Jon
 
LarryFine said:
"Understood. Please let me know if you would like me to submit a proposal."
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Is it advisable to engage in partial-scope contracts with unqualified persons doing most of the work?

Since DIY don't use inspectors, how would contracts CYA without building permits? My state suspends contractor licenses for avoiding permits.
 
ramsy said:
Is it advisable to engage in partial-scope contracts with unqualified persons doing most of the work?
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I'm okay with customers providing unskilled labor, but I must be involved with anything in my contract.

Since DIY don't use inspectors, how would contracts CYA without building permits? My state suspends contractor licenses for avoiding permits.
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If it's that kind of job, there will be a permit and inspection(s), which is why I must be involved.
 
marmathsen said:
Same here in WA. Homeowners can do electrical work on their primary residence, but they're still required to pull a permit and get it inspected.

Where is the project located @McLintock ?

Rob G
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In NW Wisconsin, I believe Wisconsin is the same way


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hbiss said:
Tell him to ask the guy in the electrical isle at Home Depot...

-Hal
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Now THAT....was funny.

I'm a 'pay it forward' type of guy. I probably would have just asked him if he was planning on doing it himself, which is his choice, and maybe told him what you suggested with a caveat that you'd need some compensation to come do a calculation and make sure that's what he needed to assume any type of liability for the advice. Folks ask me for advice all the time and I ask others for advice all the time. The way I see it, we all have some sort of expertise and if we all help each other out, we will be in a much better place. In today's age of price gouging and material costs, I don't fault anyone for wanting/needing to save a buck. If answering a message or text from someone you know really puts you out, then five minutes of your time must be worth a whole lot more than mine. $.02
 
4x4dually said:
Now THAT....was funny.

I'm a 'pay it forward' type of guy. I probably would have just asked him if he was planning on doing it himself, which is his choice, and maybe told him what you suggested with a caveat that you'd need some compensation to come do a calculation and make sure that's what he needed to assume any type of liability for the advice. Folks ask me for advice all the time and I ask others for advice all the time. The way I see it, we all have some sort of expertise and if we all help each other out, we will be in a much better place. In today's age of price gouging and material costs, I don't fault anyone for wanting/needing to save a buck. If answering a message or text from someone you know really puts you out, then five minutes of your time must be worth a whole lot more than mine. $.02
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I thought it was an ex-boss. Doubt if I would help my ex bosses…

Five minutes of my time comes in about $9-$10
 
Hv&Lv said:
Five minutes of my time comes in about $9-$10
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When you figure out how to invoice folks and actually get paid $9-10 for five minutes of advice, you be sure to let me know. All my friends are in for a treat. LOL

Ex-boss or not, he didn't mention that he had anything against his ex-boss.....at least until his ex-boss replied with a snotty attitude for the record. I guess I'm just too nice most of the time and should charge everyone for talking to me. ;)
 
Back when, I was given a floor plan for an area restaurant. I filled in all the details and gave it back with my proposal I did not get the project but everything was laid out just as I drew it. That was the last time. I returned a print.

You might have suggested everyone does things a bit different so it will depend on who you choose, but otherwise you owed him nothing more.
 
4x4dually said:
When you figure out how to invoice folks and actually get paid $9-10 for five minutes of advice, you be sure to let me know. All my friends are in for a treat. LOL

Ex-boss or not, he didn't mention that he had anything against his ex-boss.....at least until his ex-boss replied with a snotty attitude for the record. I guess I'm just too nice most of the time and should charge everyone for talking to me. ;)
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Could be it’s just because it’s my old boss I’m thinking about..😂
I’m like most others here, give a quick piece of advice for nothing..
Just seems like every call or text I’m getting here lately is asking for something and it’s making me cynical…
 
McLintock said:
I put a bid on my old employers(when I did garage doors) new house about 8 month’s ago. He texted me the other day and ask about the size of wire he needs from the pedestal to the panel in the house, I told him you need to ask the electrician you hired for the project, because it’s not my project to worry about or work on. This is what he sent me “Got it. Sorry to bother you on your high horse ….FYI haven’t hired anyone yet. “

Something sounds funny if you are at that stage where your needing wire in the ground and have not hired a electrician. My mind says he’s going to do it all himself. Also found out he was bugging the guys at the SH the other day, they told him to get a electrician.

How would y’all respond? I have not yet was trying to think of a good response and not sound unhelpful or pigheaded.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Has he ever contacted you to say "Hi" or ask how you're doing, prior to the request for free advice? I called a GC out on that a few years back, he kept calling my personal phone looking for advice or favors. After a few times I pointed out that he is expecting favors but never contacts me other than that. Some people are clueless.
 
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