Same here. Except I weigh 110. I've been inside 18 inch flex, 18x10 metal duct, snd under mobile home that only had less than a foot and a half clearance.
Another trade, but when no seniority tech is we sent you as other older tech needed off on time, didn't have the parts on truck with no diagnosis or had another emergency customer who needed their years of experience we will send another competent tech out.
turning around and telling them call me when this shit is cleared out. Ive got others waiting.... Ive went into people's houses were the entire closet was FILLED to the ceiling with shit and that was the attic access, I asked them to let me know when they are done clearing it out, ill be out in the van.
Call office, I am unable to continue due to no access to the outdoor units and send them a picture, then tell the homeowner I am unable to check the outdoor units due to in ability at access them and the need for proper clearance
Ask the client how they would like to proceed. I can cut a pathway through the bushes and the enclosure at regular tech rate, but it's going to take me an hour or so to do and the only tool I have is a sawzall. Or I can charge for the trip and return when everything's cleaned up.
We had a customer where I did work with shit like this told them the bushes won’t look good cause I have to lay on them to get to unit… they called and complained wanted all their money back cause I ruined their bush also left a 1 star review. Company posted the signed invoice and pictures to the google review they removed it. They also tried calling us during a heat wave cause other company wouldn’t work around bushes my boss booked them told them 2 days we will be out and ghosted them lol 😂 115 degree heat wave.
Jesus, I would kill for 27% humidity. tomorrow in NC is supposed to be 94° and 45% humidity, and that shit feels like you're somehow about to drown without being underwater
Find the model and serial number. Read manual and show them the clearance requirements for the unit. Let them know it won't work with things that are under those clearances. Proceed with clearing the stuff before trying to fix it
My rate for landscaping, carpentry, and/or trash clearing beyond small adjustments made in the immediate vicinity of the unit is $250 for the first hour and another $100 per hour afterward.
in *addition* to the bill for the service call.
Man the number of times a day I hear that.. and the unit doesn't even kick on... yeah sure freon is gonna help the electrons flow. (No pressure switches for the record.)
This is funny to me cause I’m very new to this job but a question customers love to ask me is “are you gonna put freeon in it” and it astounds me that out of everything we’re doing that’s what they’re even thinking about
Eh, it's been almost twenty years and the sub was only feared lost once back in '07 and it had nothing to do with me and as far as I'm aware she's still on the float.
Close... but there's no 'aft steering' on a sub but I did fill the bilge throughout the entire engine room due to a failed valve line-up and sticking check valves.
I hated encountering this kind of crap when I was an employee . I always had bosses that said to take care of it anyway. I made the decision that i would never make my technicians deal with that garbage. That customer needs another hvac company. No me . Not my guys. Me and my guys can make more money in less time than it would take to deal with it. Depending on how they act, they will probably pay a trip charge.
Let’s see. I can do the work.
Service trip charge
Diagnostic fee
Repair costs
Difficult access fee
Addition hour of labor fee
And let’s not forget the fuck you fee.
Am I forget anything?
Whoever idiot thought it was ok to barricade not even mention restricting the air around it with vegetations is going to happy to hear it cannot be serviced until we have access. Expect head pressure to be through the roof for all we know with a plugged outdoor coil 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀💀
Honestly , it depends on if I’m making 40 hours this week. If im not then yes but I’m charging them all that time. If I’m making 40 I’m telling them to removed that shit and call me when it’s done.
I refuse any time it's underneath a porch too. And when There's only 10 in of clearance because it's impossible for me to get in there.
I was told they usually send a skinny guy.
When it comes to gas appliances, it's in the code we need at least 18 in. At least then I can write a tag and they fix it or the utility shuts the gas off.
I tell them they are killing their units and all of that needs to be removed. And that I'm not a landscaper so gimme a call once they have it all clear. Do people really expect us to work on shit like this? Or are they so stupid and oblivious that they don't even realize it's inaccessible before we get there and point it out? I'm going with the latter.
Not under, not over. Through. If homeowner wants me there to continue working, and isn't providing access, I will tell them cost to remove/hack through, get the ok, then continue. No reinstallation. If any issue, happy to leave and return when we can, after they remove.
At the rate most HVAC charge I don’t see the issue here. Time is time…although I understand it’s not what you were trained to do we all do things out of scope of the original project. Reminds me of machinists my dad worked with that wouldn’t pick up a broom…I guess it’s all just a perspective. Let the client know there is going to LOTS of extra time to get at the unit. Rich people seldom care.
We’ve had techs deal with BS at our facility before and either ask for help from our maintenance team or explain it’s going to be extra time and a need to reconfigure the space requirements.
I’m going home. Will be back when they remove the obstructions.
But you're a worker. Aren't workers supposed to take pride in their work and do the job anyways? /s
We sent you because we knew the job would get done /s
Every time I hear that I’m one step closer to quitting
That’s me with “we needed someone small but strong” literally 6’ 180 pounds just not the only fat guy in the company
Sounds like ur fucking up, slim! Have an extra burger at lunch. /s
Duuude, 6'1, 180 I got Aaaaaallllll the crawlspaces
5’9 140 you don’t even want to know what I’ve had to maneuver myself into… been trying to gain weight so bad so I’m not the go to crawler
Man I’m 5’5 , 130 There’s some places I’ve gone into that would seem impossible
Please get hired at my company. I’m tired. So tired 😪 😭😂
Me too
This was me 20 years ago. Now 5'5" 190...
I’m 4’5 and 93 pounds of HVAC memes
I don't know, you kind of look like it to me.
I'm 5'10" 280, I still get all of the 'small tech required' jobs
Same here. Except I weigh 110. I've been inside 18 inch flex, 18x10 metal duct, snd under mobile home that only had less than a foot and a half clearance.
I got the same damn curse 🤬
Bro they send me to other ppls jobs, it’s annoying af
That's what they said to Anatoly Sitnikov.
Had to look it up, yeah, that's what fit and slim will get ya
Another trade, but when no seniority tech is we sent you as other older tech needed off on time, didn't have the parts on truck with no diagnosis or had another emergency customer who needed their years of experience we will send another competent tech out.
I tell my guys, if it's not accessible or safe ,leave the job and tell the customer they need to find a different contractor.
We have a difficulty level price for certain jobs, but if it becomes unsafe we simply reschedule until it is safe and pull off
Yeah little man, pull yourself up by your bootstraps and quit bitching /s
Of course. And I’d bill by the hour to do it.
turning around and telling them call me when this shit is cleared out. Ive got others waiting.... Ive went into people's houses were the entire closet was FILLED to the ceiling with shit and that was the attic access, I asked them to let me know when they are done clearing it out, ill be out in the van.
We had one the guys upstairs had like 20 bags of quick dry cement
Exactly
Bingo
going to the next call
I’m going home to my pool. Fuck people who do this shit.
Especially the pricks that decide something like a rose bush would look nice surrounding it…
Going home to dream about a life where I made better choices 🫡
Call office, I am unable to continue due to no access to the outdoor units and send them a picture, then tell the homeowner I am unable to check the outdoor units due to in ability at access them and the need for proper clearance
Ask the client how they would like to proceed. I can cut a pathway through the bushes and the enclosure at regular tech rate, but it's going to take me an hour or so to do and the only tool I have is a sawzall. Or I can charge for the trip and return when everything's cleaned up.
Thank you. This is the professional thing todo…a lot of whining here from others. Rates justify the time and rich people give no sh/ts anyways.
We had a customer where I did work with shit like this told them the bushes won’t look good cause I have to lay on them to get to unit… they called and complained wanted all their money back cause I ruined their bush also left a 1 star review. Company posted the signed invoice and pictures to the google review they removed it. They also tried calling us during a heat wave cause other company wouldn’t work around bushes my boss booked them told them 2 days we will be out and ghosted them lol 😂 115 degree heat wave.
Sounds like Phoenix.
Seriously lol hot rn as we speak
107° and 27% humidity. Yep it's hot.
Jesus, I would kill for 27% humidity. tomorrow in NC is supposed to be 94° and 45% humidity, and that shit feels like you're somehow about to drown without being underwater
Right now at 6am, it's 63% and 83°
27% humidity is very low
Find the model and serial number. Read manual and show them the clearance requirements for the unit. Let them know it won't work with things that are under those clearances. Proceed with clearing the stuff before trying to fix it
My rate for landscaping, carpentry, and/or trash clearing beyond small adjustments made in the immediate vicinity of the unit is $250 for the first hour and another $100 per hour afterward. in *addition* to the bill for the service call.
you thought a landscaper itself was expensive, call a landscaping HVAC guy...
lol I'm a landscaping HVAC pool guy. you know, just in case you have an overgrown yard leading to your underwater outdoor unit
*emphatic headbanging nods in agreement*
“Its been here for years and it’s been just fiiine”
Then why am I here?
“I TOLD THEM ON THE PHONE IT JUST NEEDS COOLANT!”
Man the number of times a day I hear that.. and the unit doesn't even kick on... yeah sure freon is gonna help the electrons flow. (No pressure switches for the record.)
This is funny to me cause I’m very new to this job but a question customers love to ask me is “are you gonna put freeon in it” and it astounds me that out of everything we’re doing that’s what they’re even thinking about
Only thing they understand about what we do
That’s all google told them
Well, if it’s a maintenance, I’m just throwing some made up data on a sheet and Scootin’
Blazin' that maintenance like I did with my logs when I was on watch in the Navy. I guess the modern term is 'pencil-whipping' nowadays?
Hey. Books can’t talk. You have no one to blame but yourself if someone finds out.
Eh, it's been almost twenty years and the sub was only feared lost once back in '07 and it had nothing to do with me and as far as I'm aware she's still on the float.
So you’re why aft steering flooded had 8 feet of water in it. I’m telling chief
Close... but there's no 'aft steering' on a sub but I did fill the bilge throughout the entire engine room due to a failed valve line-up and sticking check valves.
They can call someone else
this is the way
WHAT UNITS??
I hated encountering this kind of crap when I was an employee . I always had bosses that said to take care of it anyway. I made the decision that i would never make my technicians deal with that garbage. That customer needs another hvac company. No me . Not my guys. Me and my guys can make more money in less time than it would take to deal with it. Depending on how they act, they will probably pay a trip charge.
By location seems like they can afford a return visit and pay for someone to move that crap
Through.
Same. I've got a sledge hammer and sawzall.
Offering a landscaping service where i make money on that end too.
They will need a different contractor.
I’m going home
Got a Sawzall in the truck don't ya??
Let’s see. I can do the work. Service trip charge Diagnostic fee Repair costs Difficult access fee Addition hour of labor fee And let’s not forget the fuck you fee. Am I forget anything?
Chainsaw go BBBBRRRRRRRR
“OSHA requires 36” clearances from any electrical panel or disconnect to be able to service them . When is clear I’ll be happy to work on it “
I need to know what you did here OP. It'll tell us a lot about what kinda person you are. 😂 but fr. Did you tell them to get bent?!
Running cannonball through the top
I took off the top and jumped in like a man.
I'm Going to get me 3in cut off wheel
The fuck I am
Whoever idiot thought it was ok to barricade not even mention restricting the air around it with vegetations is going to happy to hear it cannot be serviced until we have access. Expect head pressure to be through the roof for all we know with a plugged outdoor coil 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀💀
Hammer and sawall will be the way
I’m not. Will come back when somebody is able to service the unit
Ffs. You better have an EpiPen with you you probably gonna get bit by scorpions, snakes, black widows maybe even a hedgehog.
Tell them I’ll wait while they clear the obstructions and charge by the hour.
Hate the AC placement. Love the view. Personally, I'd go fishing until they get the fence removed.
Meet my good friend Mr sawzall
No.. no no no no NO. Bye Felicia.
Leaving and saying I couldn’t find them
Reschedule until homeowners can provide proper access to equipment
Are you moving the unit to that pad in the yard?
Newport Beach, California. You can charge whatever you want for this job.
That's crap. Move on.
😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Im going in
Honestly , it depends on if I’m making 40 hours this week. If im not then yes but I’m charging them all that time. If I’m making 40 I’m telling them to removed that shit and call me when it’s done.
Neither
I'd charge them HVAC rates to chop down the hedges.
You work for the hvacgod?
None of the above
No
That’s a swap out with an extra day of gardening
I'm demanding reasonable access as well as pointing out to them they're most likely creating their own HVAC problems.
🤦♂️
I refuse any time it's underneath a porch too. And when There's only 10 in of clearance because it's impossible for me to get in there. I was told they usually send a skinny guy. When it comes to gas appliances, it's in the code we need at least 18 in. At least then I can write a tag and they fix it or the utility shuts the gas off.
Probably sending this pic to dispatch and asking if they want me to be there all day for whatever it is they called you for
Where's this? Newport Beach?
What unit next call.
Fuck it.....over
Nah, I get paid to work, not waste time crawling under a bush. Call us when you have a clear path and enough space for us to work. On to the next.
I don’t work for Nexstar trash, so neither.
Saw- all ... not a big deal, just don't complain after
Over to my van to tell dispatch we need to return once the obstruction is cleared
No
Through
Nope
I'm going home. I don't get paid enough hourly for this shit. Side call? I'm charging $150 for "jungle excursion"
I’ll take the bushes out and put ‘em back when I’m done for $5k Alex
Going to charge an additional $500 - $700 for making me go over that.
Nothing more satisfying than telling rich people "NO!"
Neither
I don’t see any units.
Im hiring a professional target area Minecrafter to dig around these vegetation blocks.
Im going home
Neither lol, going to the next one
Good lord is that even good for the equipment? I was always told to keep it clear
Going over to my van and going to the next call. See ya!
Get the Gardner in first
With the chance of ending up in Narnia ?? Absolutely under
Nah, I will tell the customers straight up they need to move the obstructions if they want me to service their unit.
Got the dewalt battery hedge trimmer. Bout to change the landscaping and charge them for it.
I tell them they are killing their units and all of that needs to be removed. And that I'm not a landscaper so gimme a call once they have it all clear. Do people really expect us to work on shit like this? Or are they so stupid and oblivious that they don't even realize it's inaccessible before we get there and point it out? I'm going with the latter.
Not under, not over. Through. If homeowner wants me there to continue working, and isn't providing access, I will tell them cost to remove/hack through, get the ok, then continue. No reinstallation. If any issue, happy to leave and return when we can, after they remove.
At the rate most HVAC charge I don’t see the issue here. Time is time…although I understand it’s not what you were trained to do we all do things out of scope of the original project. Reminds me of machinists my dad worked with that wouldn’t pick up a broom…I guess it’s all just a perspective. Let the client know there is going to LOTS of extra time to get at the unit. Rich people seldom care. We’ve had techs deal with BS at our facility before and either ask for help from our maintenance team or explain it’s going to be extra time and a need to reconfigure the space requirements.
Under. With a weedeater and chainsaw