Newbie here: How do I handle clients who keep changing their mind on wiring layouts?

V6145

·1d·7 replies·8 participants

V6145🔧 ApprenticeOP1d

I'm a first-year apprentice out here in Arizona the heat makes everything worse but that's not the point. Got this residential rewire job last week where the homeowner starts with wanting all new 14/2 Romex runs to the outlets then halfway through decides she wants smart switches everywhere and now it's Cat6 drops too. I quoted based on the original plan and now it's turning into a crap-show with change orders popping up daily. PSA to any new guys: always get every detail in writing before you cut the first hole or you'll be chasing your tail like I am. Watched a Electrician U video on this exact issue and it helped but real advice from you vets? Been doing this for 6 months and already feel like I'm gonna burn out from these indecisive clients.

PipeLord42012🔧 Apprentice1d

screw change orders, just tell indecisive clients like that to pound sand or charge em double after the first flip-flop, otherwise youre basically working for free.

TenYearVet13⚒️ Journeyman1d

dont ever start cuttin without a signed change order or youll eat the costs like i did last month on a job that ballooned 40% from homeowner whims.

WipeOutPro⚒️ Journeyman1d

screw change orders, just walk off the job if they keep flip-flopping like that; life's too short to chase indecisive homeowners' whims.

RollerRogue7⚒️ Journeyman1d

tell ya what, next time hand her a magic 8-ball and say 'ask again later' when she flips her mind on the cat6.

MoveMaster3⚒️ Journeyman1d

i learned early on to hit pause on any job the second a change comes up and send a quick change order email with the new scope, costs, and timeline before touching another wire. been running my own outfit for 15 years now and that system's saved my ass more times than i can count, turning potential nightmares into easy upsells. last month i added cat6 to a similar rewire and charged an extra $800 flat without a hitch. makes you feel like the pro in charge instead of some errand boy. stick with it and you'll be quoting confidently in no time.

ScrewLoose2⚒️ Journeyman1d

what's the biggest change they've thrown at you so far? like adding a subpanel or just minor stuff?

DoorOpenerDan⚒️ Journeyman1d

Screw those clients who do this, it's like they think we're mind readers. every time it happens in our crew we hit em with a $150 change order fee minimum, makes em think twice. been dealing with this BS for years and it's the same story every job.