The worst day I ever had on a job was last summer in Phoenix

I was doing a panel swap in a 1980s house and the homeowner kept hovering over my shoulder asking if I knew what I was doing. It was 115 degrees that day and the AC was broken in the house. I found a hidden junction box behind some drywall that was stuffed with old aluminum wiring and no wire nuts, just electrical tape. That alone added 2 hours to the job. Then the main breaker wouldn't seat right on the new panel because the bus bar was slightly off. I had to file down the tab and it still felt sketchy. The homeowner finally said 'can you just hurry up' and I almost walked off the job. Has anyone else dealt with homeowners who make a hot day worse by micromanaging?

2 comments

2 Comments

jennifer_west528d ago

The 115 degree detail alone made me wince. I did a similar swap in Mesa last August and the homeowner kept asking if I was licensed while standing right over my shoulder eating a popsicle. The aluminum wire and hidden box thing is a nightmare, I've found those before and they always take way longer than you think. Micromanaging in that kind of heat is a special kind of hell, I would have been tempted to just leave the panel half done and let them figure it out. Your patience is stronger than mine.

holly_foster8d ago

Micromanaging in that kind of heat is a special kind of hell" - you nailed it. I can't believe anyone would eat a popsicle in front of someone sweating through a panel swap, that's just disrespectful. The aluminum wire and hidden box combo is like the universe's way of testing if you're really committed to the job.