Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
1. When it's 105 out and I've just come out of your attic please do not offer me anything to drink. Us heating and air techs have a special gene that lets us recycle our sweat when licked of off our bodies in a timely manner. Heat stroke is a Zen experience! 2. By all means tell me that you want to pay my after hours fee and then wait till I'm five minutes from your house and call and cancel. We have a special deal with the gas companies where we only pay half price. 3. When I tell you that a part costs x dollars, please exclaim as loud as you can "For that!" There are no overhead costs associated with running our business, that's why it's called HVAC. You know, heating, ventilating and charity. 4. When I tell you the price for a new system, please tell me how Joe down the street just got one for half that price. I'm just curious, did Joe get the Ford model or the Mercedes model or did BillyBobs heating, ventilating and charity install said system? 5. When I tell you the price of a new system, please tell me how you can get one off of that internet thingy for half price. Those internet models install and warranty themselves I heard. 6. When I tell you the price of a new system, please tell me that you want to get a quote from 10 other companies and make a decision five years from now. Our business is inflation proof. 7. When I show you the problem with your system and you're standing right there, please tell me you want to call 5 more companies for a second opinion. All these certifications we have mean absolutely bubkis. 8. When I ask you who put your system in and you tell me a friend of a friend so your cheap ass could save money, please get mad as hell when I tell you that that's what happens when you hire hacks. Oh wait, that's right, you hired BillyBobs heating, ventilating and charity. So sorry I insulted you, my bad. 9. When I disable your system because your heat exchanger is cracked, please go completely off and tell me what a crook I am. If I don't hear what a crook I am at least once a day I start getting a complex. Besides, I heard that a little carbon monoxide, in moderation of course, is a Zen experience. 10. When I have you scheduled for 10:00 and you are not there, please expect me to wait an hour while you do whatever it is you have to do. You are the only customer I have that day and I have nothing better to do anyway. 11. When you see my van driving down the road, please do everything you can to impede my progress. We all attended the Skip Barber racing school and you are helping us keep our driving skills up to par without having to go back and pay that damn racing school for a refresher course each year. 12. Please answer your door in the most revealing clothing you have and then offer to pay for the service call by "unconventional" means. Hey, all of us have screwed up marriages anyway, we only married our wives out of charity. 13. Please argue with me about how much the office said the service charge would be. I've only worked for said company four years anyway, what the hell do I know. 14. When I am looking at your system, please have your engineer neighbor there so he can make suggestions every 2.5 seconds. After all, all of these certifications we have, well, we had to eat a lot of cracker jacks to get them. 15. After I have just fixed your system, please fiddle with the thermostat and turn it off. It's ok because we all have ESP and will know that you just turned the thermostat off. Besides, I really didn't want to give you the "complete system evaluation" that you're paying for anyway. 16. When I tell you that your system is low on refrigerant and will need 5 lbs, please ask me to add only two pounds so you can save some money. You have a special system that will cool without the required amount of refrigerant, all I have to do is throw the kaniflin valve counter clockwise and this will allow the system to run correctly and as an added bonus will seal the leak wherever it is. 16a. If the system isn't cooling. Be sure to tell me that you know it's low on freon, and just to add a couple pounds. Don't let me sell you a fan, or scam you by cleaning the condensor. 17. When I tell you that your duct work is improperly sized, please ask me why someone would do that. I can surely answer that question because as I said earlier, we all have ESP. 18. When I ask you to explain what your system is doing or not doing, please start out with "it was working yesterday" with the tone in your voice like you expected it to ring you up and let you know that at exactly 5:04 tomorrow it's going to croak. 19. Please do everything you can to get me to warranty something that is not covered under your warranty. Remember, I am running a charity, not a business. 20. When I am diagnosing why your new system does not heat or cool properly, please start out with "well the salesman said." That's why they are called salesmen! 21. Please ask me to estimate the repair over the phone. With only a sketchy description of the problem, and no clue what the equipment is. Ask for a firm, cast in concrete quote. Don't take no for an answer. And then when I get there, tell me the rest of the problem. 22. After the phone quote, don't accept any hint of possibly saying something else was wrong. HVAC guys are psychic. We can diagnose over the phone. But we do, so, love scewing with you. We get there, and find five other things wrong cause we love to make you squirm. 23. Be sure to call on a weekday about 10 AM, and ask for the quote on fixing the system. Then call back, Sunday night about 9 PM and say that you can't stand it, and want someone out right away. And that you want the quoted price. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. |
#2
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
On Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:02:54 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: Snip Pretty good! |
#3
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Copied it off alternating havoc. I added the bit
about adding freon, point 16a. That's from my own experience with a customer from Hell. The guy had a couple systems which were obvious to me loaded with air. He wanted "five pounds freon in this one, and eight in the other one". I showed him that the receiver would only hold 1.7 pounds, so eight pounds is way out of line. He didn't believe me. Told him that the system needed to be evacuated, and get the air out. He also didn't believe me. I hope he's found another technician who will do exactly what he says. I sure won't. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Gordon Shumway" wrote in message ... On Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:02:54 -0500, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: Snip Pretty good! |
#4
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Stormin Mormon wrote:
Copied it off alternating havoc. Glad to someone in the trade making that comment. Pretty obnoxious bunch over there. |
#5
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
I do read alternating havoc, now and again. Can't
say as I am fond of most of the posters there. Ah, well. They need the voice of sanity now and again. Keeps them off balance. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Bob F" wrote in message ... Stormin Mormon wrote: Copied it off alternating havoc. Glad to someone in the trade making that comment. Pretty obnoxious bunch over there. |
#6
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Stormin Mormon wrote:
Copied it off alternating havoc. I added the bit about adding freon, point 16a. That's from my own experience with a customer from Hell. The guy had a couple systems which were obvious to me loaded with air. He wanted "five pounds freon in this one, and eight in the other one". I showed him that the receiver would only hold 1.7 pounds, so eight pounds is way out of line. He didn't believe me. Told him that the system needed to be evacuated, and get the air out. He also didn't believe me. I hope he's found another technician who will do exactly what he says. I sure won't. Don't you just love coming out to work on anything after some Neanderthal has gotten hold of it? TDD |
#7
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
I'm not sure what's worse. The other tech with the
load of air in the system, I can deal with that. The customer who totally insists all it needs is 8 pounds of freon. I can't do much with that. I think it's sad, though. The restaurant has several of the world's nicest people. But the owner was pretty set in his ways, and not listening to reason. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "The Daring Dufas" wrote in message ... Don't you just love coming out to work on anything after some Neanderthal has gotten hold of it? TDD |
#8
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
"The Daring Dufas" wrote in message ... Stormin Mormon wrote: Copied it off alternating havoc. I added the bit about adding freon, point 16a. That's from my own experience with a customer from Hell. The guy had a couple systems which were obvious to me loaded with air. He wanted "five pounds freon in this one, and eight in the other one". I showed him that the receiver would only hold 1.7 pounds, so eight pounds is way out of line. He didn't believe me. Told him that the system needed to be evacuated, and get the air out. He also didn't believe me. I hope he's found another technician who will do exactly what he says. I sure won't. Don't you just love coming out to work on anything after some Neanderthal has gotten hold of it? TDD In the welding trade, I made a boatload of money from it. However, there were jobs where the client did not want to pay my hourly rate, or the thing was so screwed up it had to be redone. And on those jobs where I bid it, and they took low bid or had their brother-in-law do it, and now had to get a pro to fix it, I charged them full rates. A lot of it had to do with the attitude of the client. I'd help some people out, and then I'd give some people better pricing, but for some, I enjoyed either walking away, or telling them to get the original worker over there to fix their own mess. Steve |
#9
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
I've got a couple customers, it will be nice when
they retire to Florida, and sell the place to someone else. Will be nice when I can go back, and prove to myself that I really did know how to fix that cooler that "needed 8 pounds of freon". -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Steve B" wrote in message ... In the welding trade, I made a boatload of money from it. However, there were jobs where the client did not want to pay my hourly rate, or the thing was so screwed up it had to be redone. And on those jobs where I bid it, and they took low bid or had their brother-in-law do it, and now had to get a pro to fix it, I charged them full rates. A lot of it had to do with the attitude of the client. I'd help some people out, and then I'd give some people better pricing, but for some, I enjoyed either walking away, or telling them to get the original worker over there to fix their own mess. Steve |
#10
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Steve B wrote:
"The Daring Dufas" wrote in message ... Stormin Mormon wrote: Copied it off alternating havoc. I added the bit about adding freon, point 16a. That's from my own experience with a customer from Hell. The guy had a couple systems which were obvious to me loaded with air. He wanted "five pounds freon in this one, and eight in the other one". I showed him that the receiver would only hold 1.7 pounds, so eight pounds is way out of line. He didn't believe me. Told him that the system needed to be evacuated, and get the air out. He also didn't believe me. I hope he's found another technician who will do exactly what he says. I sure won't. Don't you just love coming out to work on anything after some Neanderthal has gotten hold of it? TDD In the welding trade, I made a boatload of money from it. However, there were jobs where the client did not want to pay my hourly rate, or the thing was so screwed up it had to be redone. And on those jobs where I bid it, and they took low bid or had their brother-in-law do it, and now had to get a pro to fix it, I charged them full rates. A lot of it had to do with the attitude of the client. I'd help some people out, and then I'd give some people better pricing, but for some, I enjoyed either walking away, or telling them to get the original worker over there to fix their own mess. Steve I often worked on equipment after the owner, or his friend the electrical engineer tried to fix it. When it came time for the bill I would go over how many things and how long it took to fix the damage they did, lets say $300 worth, and then the original problem cost about $75 to fix, the minimum charge. |
#11
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Steve B wrote:
"The Daring Dufas" wrote in message ... Stormin Mormon wrote: Copied it off alternating havoc. I added the bit about adding freon, point 16a. That's from my own experience with a customer from Hell. The guy had a couple systems which were obvious to me loaded with air. He wanted "five pounds freon in this one, and eight in the other one". I showed him that the receiver would only hold 1.7 pounds, so eight pounds is way out of line. He didn't believe me. Told him that the system needed to be evacuated, and get the air out. He also didn't believe me. I hope he's found another technician who will do exactly what he says. I sure won't. Don't you just love coming out to work on anything after some Neanderthal has gotten hold of it? TDD In the welding trade, I made a boatload of money from it. However, there were jobs where the client did not want to pay my hourly rate, or the thing was so screwed up it had to be redone. And on those jobs where I bid it, and they took low bid or had their brother-in-law do it, and now had to get a pro to fix it, I charged them full rates. A lot of it had to do with the attitude of the client. I'd help some people out, and then I'd give some people better pricing, but for some, I enjoyed either walking away, or telling them to get the original worker over there to fix their own mess. Steve That's something a lot of folks don't understand. The reason I work for myself is because I don'[t have to put up with assholes. I fire at least 2 customers a year. The amount of the bill or the size of the discount is directly proportional to the attitude of the customer! Nasty people can't understand why I'm suddenly not available anymore. Want to see my vanishing act, say the magic words "I ain't gonna pay" in any context. TDD |
#12
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
On Mar 1, 6:06*am, The Daring Dufas
wrote: Stormin Mormon wrote: Copied it off alternating *havoc. I added the bit about adding freon, point 16a. That's from my own experience with a customer from Hell. The guy had a couple systems which were obvious to me loaded with air. He wanted "five pounds freon in this one, and eight in the other one". I showed him that the receiver would only hold 1.7 pounds, so eight pounds is way out of line. He didn't believe me. Told him that the system needed to be evacuated, and get the air out. He also didn't believe me. I hope he's found another technician who will do exactly what he says. I sure won't. Don't you just love coming out to work on anything after some Neanderthal has gotten hold of it? TDD In another life I was installing/ repairing TVRO systems. I could have almost made a pretty decent living just because some of my competitors didnt know how to put an N connector on a piece of coax. Jimmie |
#13
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
On Feb 28, 10:02*pm, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: I give mine a cold beer and some hot sex. Needless to say, I'm married to him. Cindy Hamilton |
#14
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Cindy Hamilton wrote:
On Feb 28, 10:02 pm, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: I give mine a cold beer and some hot sex. Needless to say, I'm married to him. Cindy Hamilton Ah Dang! YOu had me putting on my tool belt! |
#15
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
|
#16
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Red Green wrote:
Cindy Hamilton wrote in news:ba428aa7-ac11- : On Feb 28, 10:02*pm, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: I give mine a cold beer and some hot sex. Needless to say, I'm married to him. Cindy Hamilton Does he need a helper by any chance? You could hold his beer and watch. |
#18
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Better off with a good Mormon. We neither drink,
nor fornicate. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Red Green" wrote in message ... "HeyBub" wrote in news:- : Red Green wrote: Cindy Hamilton wrote in news:ba428aa7-ac11- : On Feb 28, 10:02 pm, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: I give mine a cold beer and some hot sex. Needless to say, I'm married to him. Cindy Hamilton Does he need a helper by any chance? You could hold his beer and watch. He could actually trust me with it since I don't drink. Now as far as Cindy... |
#19
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
On Mar 2, 11:41*am, Red Green wrote:
Cindy Hamilton wrote in news:ba428aa7-ac11- : On Feb 28, 10:02*pm, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: I give mine a cold beer and some hot sex. *Needless to say, I'm married to him. Cindy Hamilton Does he need a helper by any chance? I usually fulfill that function. I'm expert in handing him things, and holding the flashlight. For carpentry projects, I can also cut lumber to a specified length. Cindy |
#20
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Lets be careful, with the quoted text!
-- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Cindy Hamilton" wrote in message ... On Feb 28, 10:02 pm, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: I give mine a cold beer and some hot sex. Needless to say, I'm married to him. Cindy Hamilton |
#21
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Whew. That's better quoted text job.
-- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Cindy Hamilton" wrote in message ... I give mine a cold beer and some hot sex. Needless to say, I'm married to him. Cindy Hamilton |
#22
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
On Feb 28, 10:02*pm, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: snip Now how do I get a guy to come out and quote me a price? seriously, I have been putting off getting a heat pump for my garage not because of money but because the contractor that put the A/C in my house has shown a decided disinterest in quoting any more work for me. Not sure what I did to **** him off, I did get three quotes for my A/C but he was NOT low, I picked him because I got the best impression of his professionalism and thoroughness of the three. If he gave me a good price for the garage I wouldn't even bother getting another quote BUT now I have to start all over again... grr. nate (no, I did not offer to pay by unconventional means. That would be kinda creepy.) |
#23
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
I can't comment on what another tech is thinking.
But, that sounds strange. Turning down repeat business? Really strange. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "N8N" wrote in message ... Now how do I get a guy to come out and quote me a price? seriously, I have been putting off getting a heat pump for my garage not because of money but because the contractor that put the A/C in my house has shown a decided disinterest in quoting any more work for me. Not sure what I did to **** him off, I did get three quotes for my A/C but he was NOT low, I picked him because I got the best impression of his professionalism and thoroughness of the three. If he gave me a good price for the garage I wouldn't even bother getting another quote BUT now I have to start all over again... grr. nate (no, I did not offer to pay by unconventional means. That would be kinda creepy.) |
#24
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
"N8N" wrote
seriously, I have been putting off getting a heat pump for my garage not because of money but because the contractor that put the A/C in my house has shown a decided disinterest in quoting any more work for me. Not sure what I did to **** him off, I did get three quotes for Smile, Nate, I can't tell either but there are several possibles. One, the job is now too small and you live far eough away that it isnt cost effective foir him. Lets spec that out. If driving time to your location is 1 hour, he has to pay the worker 1 hour wages each way.. It's not applicable in my situation as they are 5-10 mins away, but may be in yours. 'Labor' costs go way up if the person pretty much has to spend all day to get to and from your location. Second, he may be so good that he's flooded with work. 1 hour at your place for 100$ profit means he can't fit in that 7,000$ profit job he has in the wings. My fencing guy from before now works with clients who go 'oh it's that cheap?' at 10,000 for the same job I am having done and he spec'ed for 3,500$ in 2007. He's good dont get me wrong and I'm happy for him but he's booked solid. He's now got the upperscale folks and I am happy for him. Third, you *might* have hung over his head a bit too much. I've seen folks advise 'watch them all the time' but in reality, it's pretty irritating to have someone peering over your shoulder. Think about when you are at work and if you want that? If the first impression you give the worker is that you trust them to do well by you, and they will. They also take reall well to comments like: 'I know some things but little of this so do you mind if I learn a little about your trade?'. Hehe I might actually *know* their trade but it makes people feel good in a great way if you approach it from the right angle. My own tactic is to play 'dumb blonde' who knows just enough if they havent been here before (sadly they catch on pretty quick now) and make them happy to show off the fine details of their work while I smile and go 'wow'. It works at the start and is harmless until they figure out the 'petite lady they were talking to flipped houses from age 5 with her Mom for a living'. After they figure it out, they just laugh and ask me if I have any tips which depending on the item, I may have. PS: Just so it makes sense, I have medical issues so have to contract out things I know how to do, but sadly no longer can. |
#25
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
"cshenk" wrote in message
... "N8N" wrote seriously, I have been putting off getting a heat pump for my garage not because of money but because the contractor that put the A/C in my house has shown a decided disinterest in quoting any more work for me. Not sure what I did to **** him off, I did get three quotes for Smile, Nate, I can't tell either but there are several possibles. One, the job is now too small and you live far eough away that it isnt cost effective foir him. Lets spec that out. If driving time to your location is 1 hour, he has to pay the worker 1 hour wages each way.. It's not applicable in my situation as they are 5-10 mins away, but may be in yours. 'Labor' costs go way up if the person pretty much has to spend all day to get to and from your location. Second, he may be so good that he's flooded with work. 1 hour at your place for 100$ profit means he can't fit in that 7,000$ profit job he has in the wings. My fencing guy from before now works with clients who go 'oh it's that cheap?' at 10,000 for the same job I am having done and he spec'ed for 3,500$ in 2007. He's good dont get me wrong and I'm happy for him but he's booked solid. He's now got the upperscale folks and I am happy for him. Third, you *might* have hung over his head a bit too much. I've seen folks advise 'watch them all the time' but in reality, it's pretty irritating to have someone peering over your shoulder. Think about when you are at work and if you want that? If the first impression you give the worker is that you trust them to do well by you, and they will. They also take reall well to comments like: 'I know some things but little of this so do you mind if I learn a little about your trade?'. Hehe I might actually *know* their trade but it makes people feel good in a great way if you approach it from the right angle. My own tactic is to play 'dumb blonde' who knows just enough if they havent been here before (sadly they catch on pretty quick now) and make them happy to show off the fine details of their work while I smile and go 'wow'. It works at the start and is harmless until they figure out the 'petite lady they were talking to flipped houses from age 5 with her Mom for a living'. After they figure it out, they just laugh and ask me if I have any tips which depending on the item, I may have. PS: Just so it makes sense, I have medical issues so have to contract out things I know how to do, but sadly no longer can. Homeowners that have to stand over me like I can't be trusted is my biggest turn off...Even more so if they try to tell me how to do it or question every move I make...I have been doing drywall for nearly 30 years and never stolen anything or ripped anyone off and don't need somebody babysitting me and offering how to tips from some stupid DYI show...I just won't do any more work for them...I say I'm "busy"...Same for showing up with a crew and delivery truck with materials and told they aren't ready for me after calling and telling me it's ready to go and get ****ed when I charge extra for it...Never again...I'm "busy"... |
#26
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
"benick" wrote in
: "cshenk" wrote in message ... "N8N" wrote seriously, I have been putting off getting a heat pump for my garage not because of money but because the contractor that put the A/C in my house has shown a decided disinterest in quoting any more work for me. Not sure what I did to **** him off, I did get three quotes for Smile, Nate, I can't tell either but there are several possibles. One, the job is now too small and you live far eough away that it isnt cost effective foir him. Lets spec that out. If driving time to your location is 1 hour, he has to pay the worker 1 hour wages each way.. It's not applicable in my situation as they are 5-10 mins away, but may be in yours. 'Labor' costs go way up if the person pretty much has to spend all day to get to and from your location. Second, he may be so good that he's flooded with work. 1 hour at your place for 100$ profit means he can't fit in that 7,000$ profit job he has in the wings. My fencing guy from before now works with clients who go 'oh it's that cheap?' at 10,000 for the same job I am having done and he spec'ed for 3,500$ in 2007. He's good dont get me wrong and I'm happy for him but he's booked solid. He's now got the upperscale folks and I am happy for him. Third, you *might* have hung over his head a bit too much. I've seen folks advise 'watch them all the time' but in reality, it's pretty irritating to have someone peering over your shoulder. Think about when you are at work and if you want that? If the first impression you give the worker is that you trust them to do well by you, and they will. They also take reall well to comments like: 'I know some things but little of this so do you mind if I learn a little about your trade?'. Hehe I might actually *know* their trade but it makes people feel good in a great way if you approach it from the right angle. My own tactic is to play 'dumb blonde' who knows just enough if they havent been here before (sadly they catch on pretty quick now) and make them happy to show off the fine details of their work while I smile and go 'wow'. It works at the start and is harmless until they figure out the 'petite lady they were talking to flipped houses from age 5 with her Mom for a living'. After they figure it out, they just laugh and ask me if I have any tips which depending on the item, I may have. PS: Just so it makes sense, I have medical issues so have to contract out things I know how to do, but sadly no longer can. Homeowners that have to stand over me like I can't be trusted is my biggest turn off...Even more so if they try to tell me how to do it or question every move I make...I have been doing drywall for nearly 30 years and never stolen anything or ripped anyone off and don't need somebody babysitting me and offering how to tips from some stupid DYI show...I just won't do any more work for them...I say I'm "busy"...Same for showing up with a crew and delivery truck with materials and told they aren't ready for me after calling and telling me it's ready to go and get ****ed when I charge extra for it...Never again...I'm "busy"... Well sometimes they just want to learn what they can. Sometimes the Q's are a result of an opportunity to learn something from someone who knows what they are doing. Yea, one considers it being watched and in reality they are being complimented as a souce of reliable information. Yea, I know the PITA's too. The DIY show parrots, the "Well we used to do it yadda yadda", the "I think you should yak yak". the "My uncle would do it blah blah. I rebuild severely trashed foreclosed homes but I don't do HVAC. I have a guy I really trust and visa-versa. When he works on a system I stick with him like glue and I ask questions. I have a reasonable knowledge of physics, math, chemistry, electronics and electrical. He knows that by the things I ask (not question) and is glad to offer up words. In one house where the air handler was in the attic and it was July on the North/South Carolina border and 98 at noon, I stuck with him up there in the attic. When he fired up the mapp gas on top of that he looked at me and snickered. |
#27
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
"Red Green" wrote in message
... "benick" wrote in : "cshenk" wrote in message ... "N8N" wrote seriously, I have been putting off getting a heat pump for my garage not because of money but because the contractor that put the A/C in my house has shown a decided disinterest in quoting any more work for me. Not sure what I did to **** him off, I did get three quotes for Smile, Nate, I can't tell either but there are several possibles. One, the job is now too small and you live far eough away that it isnt cost effective foir him. Lets spec that out. If driving time to your location is 1 hour, he has to pay the worker 1 hour wages each way.. It's not applicable in my situation as they are 5-10 mins away, but may be in yours. 'Labor' costs go way up if the person pretty much has to spend all day to get to and from your location. Second, he may be so good that he's flooded with work. 1 hour at your place for 100$ profit means he can't fit in that 7,000$ profit job he has in the wings. My fencing guy from before now works with clients who go 'oh it's that cheap?' at 10,000 for the same job I am having done and he spec'ed for 3,500$ in 2007. He's good dont get me wrong and I'm happy for him but he's booked solid. He's now got the upperscale folks and I am happy for him. Third, you *might* have hung over his head a bit too much. I've seen folks advise 'watch them all the time' but in reality, it's pretty irritating to have someone peering over your shoulder. Think about when you are at work and if you want that? If the first impression you give the worker is that you trust them to do well by you, and they will. They also take reall well to comments like: 'I know some things but little of this so do you mind if I learn a little about your trade?'. Hehe I might actually *know* their trade but it makes people feel good in a great way if you approach it from the right angle. My own tactic is to play 'dumb blonde' who knows just enough if they havent been here before (sadly they catch on pretty quick now) and make them happy to show off the fine details of their work while I smile and go 'wow'. It works at the start and is harmless until they figure out the 'petite lady they were talking to flipped houses from age 5 with her Mom for a living'. After they figure it out, they just laugh and ask me if I have any tips which depending on the item, I may have. PS: Just so it makes sense, I have medical issues so have to contract out things I know how to do, but sadly no longer can. Homeowners that have to stand over me like I can't be trusted is my biggest turn off...Even more so if they try to tell me how to do it or question every move I make...I have been doing drywall for nearly 30 years and never stolen anything or ripped anyone off and don't need somebody babysitting me and offering how to tips from some stupid DYI show...I just won't do any more work for them...I say I'm "busy"...Same for showing up with a crew and delivery truck with materials and told they aren't ready for me after calling and telling me it's ready to go and get ****ed when I charge extra for it...Never again...I'm "busy"... Well sometimes they just want to learn what they can. Sometimes the Q's are a result of an opportunity to learn something from someone who knows what they are doing. Yea, one considers it being watched and in reality they are being complimented as a souce of reliable information. Yea, I know the PITA's too. The DIY show parrots, the "Well we used to do it yadda yadda", the "I think you should yak yak". the "My uncle would do it blah blah. I rebuild severely trashed foreclosed homes but I don't do HVAC. I have a guy I really trust and visa-versa. When he works on a system I stick with him like glue and I ask questions. I have a reasonable knowledge of physics, math, chemistry, electronics and electrical. He knows that by the things I ask (not question) and is glad to offer up words. In one house where the air handler was in the attic and it was July on the North/South Carolina border and 98 at noon, I stuck with him up there in the attic. When he fired up the mapp gas on top of that he looked at me and snickered. Maybe they are trying to learn a few tricks but when you're working on stilts or staging it can become a real distraction and dangerous especially if it's a one or 2 room job and you're using setting type compound...I have no time to chat if you know what I mean...Hanging around for a bit is one thing but all day is quite different....When they bring in a chair and flop down I know it's gonna be a LONG day and more than likely the LAST time I do work for them...LOL... |
#28
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Red Green wrote:
"benick" wrote in : "cshenk" wrote in message ... "N8N" wrote seriously, I have been putting off getting a heat pump for my garage not because of money but because the contractor that put the A/C in my house has shown a decided disinterest in quoting any more work for me. Not sure what I did to **** him off, I did get three quotes for Smile, Nate, I can't tell either but there are several possibles. One, the job is now too small and you live far eough away that it isnt cost effective foir him. Lets spec that out. If driving time to your location is 1 hour, he has to pay the worker 1 hour wages each way.. It's not applicable in my situation as they are 5-10 mins away, but may be in yours. 'Labor' costs go way up if the person pretty much has to spend all day to get to and from your location. Second, he may be so good that he's flooded with work. 1 hour at your place for 100$ profit means he can't fit in that 7,000$ profit job he has in the wings. My fencing guy from before now works with clients who go 'oh it's that cheap?' at 10,000 for the same job I am having done and he spec'ed for 3,500$ in 2007. He's good dont get me wrong and I'm happy for him but he's booked solid. He's now got the upperscale folks and I am happy for him. Third, you *might* have hung over his head a bit too much. I've seen folks advise 'watch them all the time' but in reality, it's pretty irritating to have someone peering over your shoulder. Think about when you are at work and if you want that? If the first impression you give the worker is that you trust them to do well by you, and they will. They also take reall well to comments like: 'I know some things but little of this so do you mind if I learn a little about your trade?'. Hehe I might actually *know* their trade but it makes people feel good in a great way if you approach it from the right angle. My own tactic is to play 'dumb blonde' who knows just enough if they havent been here before (sadly they catch on pretty quick now) and make them happy to show off the fine details of their work while I smile and go 'wow'. It works at the start and is harmless until they figure out the 'petite lady they were talking to flipped houses from age 5 with her Mom for a living'. After they figure it out, they just laugh and ask me if I have any tips which depending on the item, I may have. PS: Just so it makes sense, I have medical issues so have to contract out things I know how to do, but sadly no longer can. Homeowners that have to stand over me like I can't be trusted is my biggest turn off...Even more so if they try to tell me how to do it or question every move I make...I have been doing drywall for nearly 30 years and never stolen anything or ripped anyone off and don't need somebody babysitting me and offering how to tips from some stupid DYI show...I just won't do any more work for them...I say I'm "busy"...Same for showing up with a crew and delivery truck with materials and told they aren't ready for me after calling and telling me it's ready to go and get ****ed when I charge extra for it...Never again...I'm "busy"... Well sometimes they just want to learn what they can. Sometimes the Q's are a result of an opportunity to learn something from someone who knows what they are doing. Yea, one considers it being watched and in reality they are being complimented as a souce of reliable information. Yea, I know the PITA's too. The DIY show parrots, the "Well we used to do it yadda yadda", the "I think you should yak yak". the "My uncle would do it blah blah. I rebuild severely trashed foreclosed homes but I don't do HVAC. I have a guy I really trust and visa-versa. When he works on a system I stick with him like glue and I ask questions. I have a reasonable knowledge of physics, math, chemistry, electronics and electrical. He knows that by the things I ask (not question) and is glad to offer up words. In one house where the air handler was in the attic and it was July on the North/South Carolina border and 98 at noon, I stuck with him up there in the attic. When he fired up the mapp gas on top of that he looked at me and snickered. I'm glad to show someone who is interested what's going on and explain how their equipment works and what can go wrong. It helps them better maintain it and to know when to call in a service tech. I had one little old gal crawl under her house with me because she wanted to know how her furnace worked. TDD |
#29
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
"Red Green" wrote
"benick" wrote "cshenk" wrote Third, you *might* have hung over his head a bit too much. I've seen folks advise 'watch them all the time' but in reality, it's pretty irritating to have someone peering over your shoulder. Think about Homeowners that have to stand over me like I can't be trusted is my biggest turn off...Even more so if they try to tell me how to do it or Yeah, Thats what I was warning the other person about. Showing interest and wandering by every now and again to offer a cup of coffee or whatever seems sensible (Ice water if summer and a hot job etc) is ok. It's also ok to ask nicely if some special part that you'd like to learn about, if you can watch it. Like, had an electrician here when we first got back from Japan and that horrendous renter damage was still being worked on. I'd always wondered how they got the wires down a wall but never had a chance to see it so I asked him if when he got to one of those spots, if I could watch as i was curious. He was happy to let me watch and I didnt delay him with alot of questions. It was kinda funny actually as he was quietly watching us from the sunroom where he was working, as we rescreened the wooden portion of the porch with wood shims. He came over to watch one panel as he was fascinated that we do one in about 6 mins once the pieces are all cut. Keeping in mind he's an electrician so not that well versed in screen repair, he was needing to replace his own. We showed him how we'd precut the top to bottom sections (all the same) then each side to side piece had to be measured because ours arent standard (1 inch or so variations, doesnt show to the eye but it's there). It's a simple nail in top with screen then one side, then stretch and nail bottom then final stretch and nail on remaining side. He said he was about to spend alot of money to have a contractor buddy do his but now that he knew how fast it could be done, he had time to do it himself (he thought it took about an hour per screen, not about 10 mins including cutting time). Showed him the tips to make it easier (like it can be fancy trim wood but make it about 1 inch across and not much less nor much more or it's harder to work with the tightening phase). Well sometimes they just want to learn what they can. Sometimes the Q's are a result of an opportunity to learn something from someone who knows what they are doing. Yea, one considers it being watched and in reality they are being complimented as a souce of reliable information. It's all in how it's approached I think. I've never hovered over a worker yet. I have always offered that if they hit a spot where they'd like me to help hand tools over, I'd be happy to help and sometimes they hit a spot where that is useful. Like I've been up in the attic holding a flashlight a few times for a worker. Yea, I know the PITA's too. The DIY show parrots, the "Well we used to do it yadda yadda", the "I think you should yak yak". the "My uncle would do it blah blah. LOL, thats why I generally don't tell them my background. Tends to make them think that. Besides, I don't know everything by a long shot. I had my specialty areas of work (mostly wood working, wall papering and detail painting though I've done bits of everything else except electrical and my plummer skills pretty much devolve to replacing a toilet or sink). I rebuild severely trashed foreclosed homes but I don't do HVAC. I have a guy I really trust and visa-versa. When he works on a system I stick with him like glue and I ask questions. I have a reasonable knowledge of physics, math, chemistry, electronics and electrical. He knows that by the things I ask (not question) and is glad to offer up words. In one house where the air handler was in the attic and it was July on the North/South Carolina border and 98 at noon, I stuck with him up there in the attic. When he fired up the mapp gas on top of that he looked at me and snickered. LOL! Yeah, it can get hot up there! I remember whern we had our roof redone in summer. It was 103F in the shade. I filled a plastic empty cat litter bucket with ice and bottled water with a rope on it. They'd lift it when they wanted one then drop it back in the shade of the house. I told'em to just toss the empties in the yard which we'd remove and replace in the bucket as needed. We were replacing the wallpaper in the kitchen to get the place ready for renting so when they'd come down for a cool off break (required in that heat) they'd watch and ask a few questions. One of the guys started getting wobbly from the heat and the foreman sent him down for a whole hour and then a recheck before allowed back up. Perfect timing as I'm 5ft1inch TALL and had just hit the ceiling part of the measurements for the longer wall and having to climb up and down a step ladder was irritating. He was able to reach (grin). So, he held my little flourescent green yarn bit with the bolt tied to the bottom as I measured those 6 panels off (ceiling not totally square nor are walls dead on plumb, little 1/8th to 1/4 inch adustments here and there). It's like the livingroom where one wall kinda wanders being 5/8 inch lower at one far end from the other but dips a bit in the center. Totally has to be adjusted for with the repeat pattern when wall papering. The kitchen wallpaper has to be replaced again (renter damage) but we are waiting as we are replacing the cabinets so there's no point yet. |
#30
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Sounds like you place value on your time, and
skills. I can understand that. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "benick" wrote in message . .. Homeowners that have to stand over me like I can't be trusted is my biggest turn off...Even more so if they try to tell me how to do it or question every move I make...I have been doing drywall for nearly 30 years and never stolen anything or ripped anyone off and don't need somebody babysitting me and offering how to tips from some stupid DYI show...I just won't do any more work for them...I say I'm "busy"...Same for showing up with a crew and delivery truck with materials and told they aren't ready for me after calling and telling me it's ready to go and get ****ed when I charge extra for it...Never again...I'm "busy"... |
#31
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
On Mar 2, 7:25*pm, "cshenk" wrote:
"N8N" wrote seriously, I have been putting off getting a heat pump for my garage not because of money but because the contractor that put the A/C in my house has shown a decided disinterest in quoting any more work for me. *Not sure what I did to **** him off, I did get three quotes for Smile, Nate, I can't tell either but there are several possibles. *One, the job is now too small and you live far eough away that it isnt cost effective foir him. Lets spec that out. If driving time to your location is 1 hour, he has to pay the worker 1 hour wages each way.. It's not applicable in my situation as they are 5-10 mins away, but may be in yours. *'Labor' costs go way up if the person pretty much has to spend all day to get to and from your location. Second, he may be so good that he's flooded with work. *1 hour at your place for 100$ profit means he can't fit in that 7,000$ profit job he has in the wings. *My fencing guy from before now works with clients who go 'oh it's that cheap?' at 10,000 for the same job I am having done and he spec'ed for 3,500$ in 2007. *He's good dont get me wrong and I'm happy for him but he's booked solid. *He's now got the upperscale folks and I am happy for him.. Third, you *might* have hung over his head a bit too much. *I've seen folks advise 'watch them all the time' but in reality, it's pretty irritating to have someone peering over your shoulder. *Think about when you are at work and if you want that? *If the first impression you *give the worker is that you trust them to do well by you, and they will. *They also take reall well to comments like: 'I know some things but little of this so do you mind if I learn a little about your trade?'. *Hehe I might actually *know* their trade but it makes people feel good in a great way if you approach it from the right angle. My own tactic is to play 'dumb blonde' who knows just enough if they havent been here before (sadly they catch on pretty quick now) and make them happy to show off the fine details of their work while I smile and go 'wow'. It works at the start and is harmless until they figure out the 'petite lady they were talking to flipped houses from age 5 with her Mom for a living'.. After they figure it out, they just laugh and ask me if I have any tips which depending on the item, I may have. PS: *Just so it makes sense, I have medical issues so have to contract out things I know how to do, but sadly no longer can. I'm gonna go with too much work, can't imagine any other explanation. I wasn't even there for the A/C install, SWMBO had more time off work than I did so she took the day off and I got home just as he was finishing taping up the ductwork. Now maybe *she* was hovering... I dunno. She gets ****ed off at me when she's "helping" me do stuff because I give short answers because I'd rather get the job done, then explain anything she doesn't understand later over a beer instead of while I'm balancing on joists in the attic or similar... nate |
#32
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
Stormin Mormon wrote:
1. When it's 105 out and I've just come out of your attic please do not offer me anything to drink. Us heating and air techs have a special gene that lets us recycle our sweat when licked of off our bodies in a timely manner. Heat stroke is a Zen experience! [...] Don't forget to ask: "Would you come back after regular working hours and do the job for half the quoted price?" |
#33
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
HeyBub wrote:
Stormin Mormon wrote: 1. When it's 105 out and I've just come out of your attic please do not offer me anything to drink. Us heating and air techs have a special gene that lets us recycle our sweat when licked of off our bodies in a timely manner. Heat stroke is a Zen experience! [...] Don't forget to ask: "Would you come back after regular working hours and do the job for half the quoted price?" I remember, as a small (physically and age-wise) kid being drafted to help add insulation to the short-headroom parts of the attic, that I thought it was strange that my father and older brother waited until well after dark to start the project. I didn't figure out why until years later. I wonder if, in the parts of the country that follow the HVAC in attic custom, any of them ask to do the work after dark? -- aem sends... |
#34
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
How to treat your HVAC tech
I do remember the one time I was working for
another company. We had an attic fan installed at the one house, where we were installing air handler in the attic. The fan wasn't wired in, so I'd brought a lamp cord and a couple wire nuts with me. I wired the fan to the side socket of a trouble lamp cord we had up there. Turned the heat setting knobs till the fan started. Within a minute or two, the temperature up there must have dropped ten degrees. Really great. Of course, we should have been working after sunset. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "aemeijers" wrote in message ... I remember, as a small (physically and age-wise) kid being drafted to help add insulation to the short-headroom parts of the attic, that I thought it was strange that my father and older brother waited until well after dark to start the project. I didn't figure out why until years later. I wonder if, in the parts of the country that follow the HVAC in attic custom, any of them ask to do the work after dark? -- aem sends... |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
How to treat your HVAC tech | Metalworking | |||
Hvac Tech.2 | Home Repair | |||
Hvac tech. | Home Repair | |||
HVAC questions welcomed at alt.hvac | Home Repair | |||
HVAC questions welcomed at alt.hvac | Home Repair |