In residences I only do service upgrades except when the customer wants 1 or 2 new rec. etc. in the kitchen, outdoors etc.
Yesterday I was called for a service upgrade and found out the customer also wants the whole house rewired - the existing wiring is knob & tube the insurance demands it rewired.
This house is very well kept, emaculate all over, even has some burgundy boards wood paneling in one living room wall, a design in the ceiling, beautifull carpets all over, ceramic tiles on the kitchen counter (2 rec there), the existing 4 receptacles per bedroom 2 are on the floor close to the outside wall, all baseboards are the old style, the attic is full of blown insulation and no room to reach down to the outside walls areas, the basement has beautifull solid wood paneling all over including the outside walls and also 2' x2' solid wood in the ceiling. (except one small utility area). One could drill from the basement at 45 degrees and come out at the outside wall then in towards a receptacle- but the stucco is colored - very difficult to repair to match.
This is one of the biggest challenges I ever had in 25 years. The customer ( a retired couple) said ` we will fix the damage you need to rewire`
My approach is: (I want him to do some DAMADGE HIMSELF - it helps when in court later.) I will tell him to take a hammer and do a few hard strikes close to all receptales, lights, switches and at the corners where the ceiling meets the walls, remove or also do strikes in all paneling, remove half of the antique furniture (all over), move out for 12 days and then I will charge them $200 per opening. 65 items x 200 = $13,000.00 + $1,500.00 for a new service. With a lot of damage made by him I think he will not take me to court otherwise I would have to charge another - say $8,000.00 for when he sues me later for overwhelming obstruction (in his view) , dust, damage to walls etc. (This house can not be rewired without damadge to walls and ceilings) Perhaps a few outlets can be but it will take probably 5 hrs or so each.
The way he was talking to me I sensed that other contractors had an approach of criticism because this is a truly job which will likely turn into a nightmare. I put in a good act to remain quite calm but after a while I could sense his frustation re -emerging from his last estimate encounters.
I have to give him an answer soon. I don`t want ever to do this job. (Someone like us has to do it. This house has to be rewired.
) The reason I would like YOUR INPUT on how you would deal with such a situation is that if this call came from a general contractor who gives me work often, then I can not really refuse it. I am sure that many of you had similiar encounters. As I said this is the worst in 25 years.
I would really appreciate some honest comments.
Respectfully, Best Regards to all of you.
Manuel
Yesterday I was called for a service upgrade and found out the customer also wants the whole house rewired - the existing wiring is knob & tube the insurance demands it rewired.
This house is very well kept, emaculate all over, even has some burgundy boards wood paneling in one living room wall, a design in the ceiling, beautifull carpets all over, ceramic tiles on the kitchen counter (2 rec there), the existing 4 receptacles per bedroom 2 are on the floor close to the outside wall, all baseboards are the old style, the attic is full of blown insulation and no room to reach down to the outside walls areas, the basement has beautifull solid wood paneling all over including the outside walls and also 2' x2' solid wood in the ceiling. (except one small utility area). One could drill from the basement at 45 degrees and come out at the outside wall then in towards a receptacle- but the stucco is colored - very difficult to repair to match.
This is one of the biggest challenges I ever had in 25 years. The customer ( a retired couple) said ` we will fix the damage you need to rewire`
My approach is: (I want him to do some DAMADGE HIMSELF - it helps when in court later.) I will tell him to take a hammer and do a few hard strikes close to all receptales, lights, switches and at the corners where the ceiling meets the walls, remove or also do strikes in all paneling, remove half of the antique furniture (all over), move out for 12 days and then I will charge them $200 per opening. 65 items x 200 = $13,000.00 + $1,500.00 for a new service. With a lot of damage made by him I think he will not take me to court otherwise I would have to charge another - say $8,000.00 for when he sues me later for overwhelming obstruction (in his view) , dust, damage to walls etc. (This house can not be rewired without damadge to walls and ceilings) Perhaps a few outlets can be but it will take probably 5 hrs or so each.
The way he was talking to me I sensed that other contractors had an approach of criticism because this is a truly job which will likely turn into a nightmare. I put in a good act to remain quite calm but after a while I could sense his frustation re -emerging from his last estimate encounters.
I have to give him an answer soon. I don`t want ever to do this job. (Someone like us has to do it. This house has to be rewired.
) The reason I would like YOUR INPUT on how you would deal with such a situation is that if this call came from a general contractor who gives me work often, then I can not really refuse it. I am sure that many of you had similiar encounters. As I said this is the worst in 25 years.
I would really appreciate some honest comments.
Respectfully, Best Regards to all of you.
Manuel
