Working Conditions

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jeff43222

Senior Member
Location
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I'm wondering how other ECs deal with remodel jobs where there is all kinds of stuff in the way slowing down the work. Lately I've been running into situations where the HOs or carpenter decided to do a full-gut model of a space and thought it would be a good idea to use the space for storage while work is being done.

For example, I just did a rough-in for a newly finished basement where the HOs left a fair amount of their stuff in the way, and the carpenter thought it would be convenient to bring in his 8' and 12' sheets of drywall before I started. Having to deal with this made the job go considerably more slowly than it would have if the basement had been cleared out. Meanwhile, the HOs have indicated that the project needs to be done soon because of the inconvenience of having the rest of their basement junk clogging up the living room.

Should I insist that they clear the place out if they want the work done, or should I inform them that my price will be adjusted upward to take into account the extra hassle of having to move and climb on the obstacles? I suspect the former option will be met with excuses ("There's no place to put the stuff" or "We can't afford a storage container"), while the latter will result in the job going to someone more desperate for work.

Any suggestions?
 
My contracts stipulate that the "work area be clear of debris, not be used as storage area", etc.
While it would seem I want the area broom swept, that's kind of unreasonable...but the HO/GC doesn't need to know that ;)
My remedy/relief for failure to maintain the area is to not work while there is debris/material in the work area that poses a liability issue...again, another vauge term.
Usually, a "gentle reminder" that we can't/won't work under these conditions is met with little resistance.
 
Our contracts, also stipulate the "work area be clear of debris, not be used as storage area, and there are additional charges for delays, we usualy never have a problem enforcing it, the fly by night contractors, without contracts usually have, more of a problem resolving these issues, as long as you have a signed contract enforce it.
 
Hey your just frustrated & venting. It happens & I don't like it either.
But I'm not walking away from the job. If there are any extras I will not be very generous in the pricing.

I dont have the basement problem but lets talk about attics!
Why do parents save the baby chairs & jumpers in the attic for 25 years thinking that they will give it to their grandchildren? Facrisake! Thow the stuff away!
 
i know a mechanical contractor who went into business the same time i did. years later, i was talking to him as we were working on the same job. he explained that the first year he was in business he ran into all types of problems that effected his profit margin but were out of his control. he came up with an idea and began listing these things on the back of his proposals. every year he would add to the list. i asked for a copy --- guess what there were 32 items and as i read them i realized how many of them effected me in m y business. he uses it mainly to control the subcontractor's actions or non-actions that hold up his progress. the owner/contractors correct as soon as he brings it to their attention. how about "safe and secure parking" --- "proper temporary services" --- "water" --- "safety" --- "lighting" --- " site access" --- "crane time" --- etc...... hay, it worked for him!!! start your list!
 
77401 said:
Hey your just frustrated & venting. It happens & I don't like it either.
But I'm not walking away from the job. If there are any extras I will not be very generous in the pricing.

I dont have the basement problem but lets talk about attics!
Why do parents save the baby chairs & jumpers in the attic for 25 years thinking that they will give it to their grandchildren? Facrisake! Thow the stuff away!
Click to expand...

Ironically, the couple of attics I've looked at recently were pretty cleared out. Although one was interesting. The guy framed it in himself, but there was already conduit and j-boxes all over the floor, obviously installed with the idea that the space would not be finished in the future. So the guy put down new flooring under the conduit and cut nice holes around the j-boxes. And I'm supposed to do what with it now?
 
Last edited:
The most common situation I run in to in residential is soffit, siding and trim stacked in the garage from wall to wall. The first call I get from the GC at finish time is to get the lights up in the garage so the trim guys can see to work. Never mind that there is no place to stand a ladder and interior doors line the walls covering every receptacle box. I usually get out of my truck and start yelling CHING! CHING! CHING! Then they start scrambling to clear me a path before I get back in my truck and leave.
 
The majority of my business is rewires. I usually let the homeowner know what room I will be working in and point out that if they don't want anything broken that is of value to them to have it cleared out. As far as attics go, that is another story. I usually send one of my greenlings up and move the stuff from one side to the other depending on which room I am working on. My absolute worst is plywood on the attic floor. The homeowner really thinks this help but all it does is make my life more miserable.
The moral...get a good look at where you are working and what you have to work around...and let the customer know when you give the bid, why it is higher then they expected...usually they will pay the extra just to keep themselves from having to move their OWN junk.:mad:
 
I don't move furniture, attics must be clear and work areas have got to be safe and clean. We all deal with the debris of construction, I know electricians make a mess too. We also have to be awarded the opportunity to do the job for which we were hired and if there is a working condition that is unsafe or hampers your ability to do your job in a timely manner, then I believe that you have voice your concerns to the GC or the HO and explain to them that the job could proceed much faster if there was not some much material hindering your progress. We all know that no matter what job you go on, you as the electrician are all ready behind and the first words out of a GC's mouth is "We are running behind...when can we cover the walls?"
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top