Bathroom Exhaust Fans

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A/A Fuel GTX

A/A Fuel GTX

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WI & AZ
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Electrician
I've got a situation where I'm wiring a 3 plex Condo and the HVAC guy is telling me that I'm responsible for the ducting and I'm saying it is his baby, hence Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning= HVAC. What do you guys see in the field?
 
m73214 said:
What do you guys see in the field?
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I see in my contract I am NOT responsible for anything to do with the fan with the exception of actually wiring it.
I will select one and mount it (for an additional fee) but I will NOT be responsible for ducting it outside, repairing/sealing that penetration or running that duct work.
If my terms are not acceptable, you can opt to omit the fan entirely ~ providing you have a window in the bathroom...which I am also NOT responsible for.

What do you see in your contract?
 
All I see is a total of 8 exhaust fans which I supplied and wired in. This HVAC contractor said he has NEVER ducted in exhaust fans. I am working with another HVAC contractor on some single family homes and he does all the ducting. I'm really confused here and think this guy is trying to pull one over on me. Using his logic.....he should wire the condensing units for the air conditioners since he supplied them.
 
It's kind of like finding out who replaces the element in a WH...plunmber or electrician. IMO, it should be the HVAC guy that vents the fan, but around here the EC does it as much as the HVAC, if not more. It is usually a toss up as to whether it is me, HVAC, or job foreman. We do not have "contracts" here that specify those terms, at least not on resi.
 
Bathroom Exhaust Fans

m73214 said:
I've got a situation where I'm wiring a 3 plex Condo and the HVAC guy is telling me that I'm responsible for the ducting and I'm saying it is his baby, hence Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning= HVAC. What do you guys see in the field?
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Why are people in the trades trying so hard to give work away that they should be paid for?

Duct work is done by HVAC people.

I may get shut off for this,and if I do it is ok. I am a retired from over30yrs in the union,IBEW I would have a hard time from a tin knocker if I install duct work on a job.

As an inspector I stopped well people from installing wiring for well pumps in trenches,only to get complaints by electricians who did not want to be there to do the work.I wonder why they are so willing to give there work away to well persons who are not qualified.

I say let all trades do the work that they are qualified to do.
 
Live and learn I guess....The general is siding with the HVAC guy so now I have to duct out 8 exhaust fans and I don't have a clue on what the "ducting" codes are. Maybe I'll just go buy some 3" plastic accordion lines and let them hang into the perforated soffit. In reality, I'll probably hire an HVAC guy that HAS run duct work for exhaust fans and eat the cost. IMO, the HVAC guy should not only run the ducting but also supply the fans. What's next, we supply the water heater and dishwasher too? After all, they are electric in most cases around here.........
 
romeo said:
Why are people in the trades trying so hard to give work away that they should be paid for?
.
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Because they are lazy and in this situation, it is not an easy task especially with the middle unit and firewall penetrations. They don't want any roof penetrations so it is all gable vents.
 
Better check with the building inspector before running anything. We have to use 4" flexible aluminum duct...not plastic.

I'd hate to see you have to run it twice......
 
Oh yeah.....FWIW, he ducted the dryer vents so why would he not do the exhaust fans....Sorry, just "venting" here........
 
i only do the ductwork for one contractor, and because he specifically asked me to do so before i ever started working for him, and i charge extra for it. it is for one of those whole-house inline ventilator systems. on every other job, the HVAC guy is responsible. If the HVAC guy is finished before me, i will gladly attach his ductwork to the fan if he leaves it right next to where i install the fan. that takes about 30 seconds. tell your GC that you do not have a license for HVAC, but you'll gladly install the ducts for $$$$.
 
m73214 said:
Because they are lazy...
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Or, they figure they can somehow manage to get you to do it for nothing.

It seems like the GC figures it was included in someones price and you and the HVAC guy should have to fight it out to see who included it. IMO, you're getting hosed. This is not an electricians job.
 
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Unless it stated in a spec that the fan work is by others, we do it all. Supply the fan, install it, wire and duct it. If there's a new roof going on well leave the roof cap for the roofer to install and connect the duct later.

We're not going to give away work. We put the fan/duct installation in our contract. Everything that we install translates into more money in the pocket.

Maybe the carpenter should drill all of the holes for our cables since he's installing the wood studs. Unless someone is saying that you cannot do something why would you give away work?
 
I have never ducted any fan, not my job.

Maybe the carpenter should drill all of the holes for our cables since he's installing the wood studs.
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Running duct work is not comparable to drilling holes for cables.

On many jobs the carpenters do make holes for our boxes in finished surfaces.
 
iwire said:
On many jobs the carpenters do make holes for our boxes in finished surfaces.
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Yes. Depending on the job, the GC has the carpenters cut for boxes in baseboards, or other wood surfaces. We will do it, but for some reason they prefer the experts to do it.
 
JohnJ0906 said:
Yes. We will do it, but for some reason they prefer the experts to do it.
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I find it helps to carry a sawzall with a 12" demo blade when asking the GC who he wants making the holes. ;)
 
tricks of the trade

tricks of the trade

iwire said:
I find it helps to carry a sawzall with a 12" demo blade when asking the GC who he wants making the holes. ;)
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works every time :grin: :grin:
 
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