Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Customer Doing His Own Work. How would you attack this just curiosity?

Comments

  • Slimpickins
    Slimpickins Member Posts: 348
    edited September 23

    I've seen worse. There isn't anything wrong with the piping, I would have done some things differently. The wiring is pretty sloppy. It looks like it may be difficult to purge thru the boiler. I would trap the condensate drain if there isn't one internally and dump it in the condensate pump. The vent is crooked and I'd make sure it's not leaking flue gases and terminates correctly. If the red pex is part of the heating side, I'd ensure its barrier tubing. What brand is the boiler?

    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,312
    edited September 23

    I would get a signature on the tablet or paper that explains that there is a fee for your service that includes driving to the customer's home, diagnosing the problem (if any), and list all the repairs I recommended, with a flat rate price for each item.

    Once that document is signed then you have about 20 minutes to write everything down, and another 10 minutes to price up each item.

    Then I would offer the customer the list of all the things that I would fix or replace with a price next to each item.

    Now that you have spent 30 minutes there, I would tell the customer that you need them to authorize more $$$ so you can start the repairs. If the customer resists the additional charges, then collect your minimum fee for the service call, and leave the customer with the list. Don't waste time there if there is no money. The minimum fee is for the paper with the price to fix it. Once you have provided that list with prices, your original "service visit" contract is completed and the service call fee is due and payable.

    PS: add a line at the bottom of your list that reads "other charges may apply if our service reveals additional parts or services are required or recommended".

    The price for that last line item is $0.00

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Mad Dog_2Jalen_Jalen2006
  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 2,091

    Looks like it's already done and has been for over a decade. What exactly are you "attacking"?

    mattmia2
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,312
    edited September 23

    One thing that stands out to me is the location of the LWCO. or should I say the LOLWCO. If that burner is still operating by the time the water gets low enough to trip that control…. LOL… you already lost the boiler… LOL!!!

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,270

    You want it to look better, or perform better?

    A lot could be done to make it pretty, if it is worth spending $$ on that

    What type of conttol, is outdoor reset bring used!

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream