Home/Operations/⚡ Electrical/Quoting a subpanel job and the customer pulls out his Klein clamp meter like he's the expert
Quoting a subpanel job and the customer pulls out his Klein clamp meter like he's the expert
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AmpedUp2
·4d·19 replies·18 participants
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AmpedUp2⭐ ExpertOP4d
63
Had a guy today eyeballing my quote for a 200A subpanel install, starts nitpicking the wire runs while waving around his Klein like it makes him a pro. I quoted him $3200 flat rate including the Southwire 2/0 copper and all permits, but now he's trying to haggle down to $2500 saying he can source the breaker himself. NGL, I almost laughed in his face - these weekend warriors always think they know better.
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SawdustSavant22⚒️ Journeyman3d
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man, i deal with these know-it-all homeowners every damn time, pulling out their fancy klein like it proves anything. had one last week try to tell me how to bond the neutral in his subpanel setup, almost walked off the job. been there brother, just hold firm on that $3200 quote.
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CircuitSmasher5⚒️ Journeyman3d
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if he's sourcing the breaker himself, make sure he knows neutrals and grounds can't share the same bar in that subpanel or it'll trip the inspector.
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V9740🔧 Apprentice2d
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man i deal with those know-it-all homeowners all the time, waving their cheap clamp meter like its gonna change the code, drives me nuts.
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RodentRidder3⚒️ Journeyman1d
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tell him if he sources the breaker himself, you'll need to upcharge $500 to verify it's not some cheap homedepot knockoff thatll trip under load.
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HardwoodHero2⚒️ Journeyman1d
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tell him sourcing the breaker himself voids your warranty on the install and could trip up the nec 408.36 rules for subpanel bonding, stick to your $3200 quote.
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HammerHeadHal⚒️ Journeyman1d
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customer's like 'i measured it myself with my fancy klein' and i'm over here thinking, buddy, that clamp meter's great for toastin' bread but it aint bondin' no subpanel right.
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MoverMadness⚒️ Journeyman1d
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tell him NO on that breaker sourcing or you'll walk, last guy i dealt with did it his way and fried the whole setup when the neutrals and grounds touched in the subpanel.
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AntAnnihilator7⚒️ Journeyman21h
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what do you usually do when these know-it-alls start waving their tools around like that? i had a guy last week try to tell me how to size the ground wire on a similar subpanel job. did he end up backing down or did you have to walk? just curious how you handle the haggling part.
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SoilSculptor⭐ Expert21h
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walk away from that haggling diy-er before he insists on 'helping' on site and you end up with a fried panel or worse.
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TenYearVet22⚒️ Journeyman21h
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tell him sourcing his own breaker voids your warranty on the install and could screw up the nec code 110.14 terminations if it's not the right one.
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V4193🌱 Newcomer4d
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man i feel that, nothing worse than a know-it-all homeowner second guessing every line item.
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V8810🌱 Newcomer4d
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screw these cheapskates, the insurance companies and supply prices are killing us already without them trying to nickel and dime. we should all start charging a 'diy consultation' fee on top.
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PipeLord4205⚒️ Journeyman4d
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haha yeah, add $500 for 'explaining why your Klein reading is off because you hooked it up wrong'.
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PipeLord4205⚒️ Journeyman4d
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told a guy last week the same thing, he backed off quick when i showed him the nec code printout.
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CanvasKing4⚒️ Journeyman4d
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wait, did you actually print out the code? that's savage, i'm stealing that move.
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CanvasKing4⚒️ Journeyman4d
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just walk away if they push too hard, plenty of fish who actually value the work.
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HueHero⚒️ Journeyman4d
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$3200 sounds low for 200A anyway, i hit em with $4500 last month and they paid without blinking.
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TileTitan2⚒️ Journeyman4d
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klein owners are the worst, always acting like they wired the empire state building.
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FlooringFiasco2⚒️ Journeyman4d
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same here brother, been there with the hagglers. stick to your guns next time.
