The Official "What were they thinking?" Game!

[greenworldh20]

and here's your host, greenworldh20!!!

well, i am kicking it off...the new game on lawnsite...

here is the first submission. now, honestly, 'what were they thinking?' (or maybe they weren't).:nono:

[greenworldh20]

they were trying to save a fitting...the install tech forgot an elbow...the boss always did it this way...the 'plumber' thought that if there WAS a backflow on the system, it would work...the plumber got sick and his side kick got forced into this project...

brian:nono:

[DanaMac]

I've seen one like that!! Told them it didn't meet code and needed fixing. They said no, it works just fine. I doubt they know how it actually works?

[koster_irrigation]

yeh its sideways, but im looking at the hose bib.... why put one on the pipe riser, when theres one on the side of the house 1ft away??

[greenworldh20]

koster,

it is there for winterization...easier than pulling out the pvc plug every season...so much quicker.

brian:D

[Nw. Shadesofgreen]

Boy that is sure a fine masterpiece. This just goes to show why our indusrty needs some standards.
Thanks for sharing the photo.

Mike
NW Shades Of Green

[Rustic Goat]

Originally posted by Nw. Shadesofgreen This just goes to show why our indusrty needs some standards.
Don't know about your area, but down here we have a plumbing code to cover that.

That's a picture of genuine quality sprinkler system scrub (hope no one's looking) work.

[turfman59]

Originally posted by greenworldh20
they were trying to save a fitting...the install tech forgot an elbow...the boss always did it this way...the 'plumber' thought that if there WAS a backflow on the system, it would work...the plumber got sick and his side kick got forced into this project...

brian:nono: Man now I know why your help refuses to speak English, Not because they cant, but because they just dont want to talk to You....After reading this I know you must have all the answers.

[greenworldh20]

?

[MikeK]

I see the controller wires are being run into the house, rather than the garage. A classic example of a homeowner who thought he could install his own system.
My quess is that the homeowner did not know any better, I would be suprised to hear that this was installed by a professional contractor.
Wonder what the rest of the system looks like?

[greenworldh20]

mike,

most contractors in our area run the irrigation wire through the same hole as the plumbing. i do this sometimes if the client does not want many holes in their home...i know 2 holes is not a lot, but you know how tough pita clients are.

the rest of the system operates fairly well...the design and coverage are iffy, but overall the client is happy with the system.

brian

[MOlawnman]

We put our control wires in conduit for a cleaner install. And we try to put our controllers in the garage where they are more accessible, not in the basement as this photo suggests.

[Rotor-Man]

Ditto on that, all wires for controller go into a separate conduit into the garage for easy access for the customer and myself at winterizing time of the year. In my opinion looks more professional, is more logical in the garage over the basement, and because it's the little extra touches that will lead to more business thru referrals from happy customers. In the scope of things a few extra minutes here and there to do things right, pay off in the end.

[greenworldh20]

these control wires do not run to basement...but that does not mean that they cannot run to garage...we have ran the wires through the basement to garage before.

to put wire in conduit is a good idea...but time consuming and costs $. if customer takes our deluxe package, then we will put in conduit.

brian

[MOlawnman]

Not really that time consuming. Only about an extra 10 minutes. Cost more??? Only about $5 per install. Also if the wires are in conduit it keeps animals or the string trimmer from cutting through them. We even use conduit from the spot where the wires enter the garage up to the controller.

I agree with Rotor-Man. Little touches go a long way to securing more business.

Steve

[turfman59]

Mo lawn y0ur right, its all about workmanship and details.

the last thing I want is a customer going over to another customers house and saying " wow who did your system, all those extra things really look nice, Wow a rain sensor, conduit on all controller wire," ect, ect,

Oh buy the way it was the same guy that did yours. and then have them wonder why,

I would never sell a good , Better, Best Format....I am not Sears or Jc Penney.

You should be selling the best system you can fabricate all the time. If you do this, competition will never be a concern, and neither will going to sleep at night.

When you actually hear potential clients tell you why they called you, " because you did great work for so and so, and they put a lot of stock in what he says", you actually show up to do a great job and try to exceed in quality and workmanship.

I only sell one kind of system, The Best........

[greenworldh20]

i have been down that road...very little work there. you have to understand my market. there are many companies installing systems for alot less than i do.

i have tried many methods to win clients over, but the overiding factor is price.

i wanted a big company, so i decided to install many different types of systems. i also offered 3 different types of systems to show potential clients the differences between me and the competition.

also, to show the difference, i do everything the green industry mags tell me a professional company should do:

- i mail clients a letter of intro stating licensces held, certificates of education, projects i have completed, my bio...

- i give a detailed proposal for system/show client design of system

- i give at least 20 customer surveys from neighborhood saying how great i am

- i show up on time in a lettered greenworld vehicle

- i mail thank you estimate letter

- i follow up in 2 days with phone call

- i have office personnel to answer phone

this is the reciepe that has gotten me the the 700 install clients and thousands of accounts that i serviced since i began journey this 4-1/2 years ago.

brian

[MOlawnman]

I agree woth turf-man we install only the best..no alternatives allowed.

[turfman59]

[i]

- i show up on time in a lettered greenworld vehicle

-

brian [/B] Did you know the largest air courier in the world does not letter their fleet of Jets. and it aint Fed EX.

[H2O guy]

I will only perform work that at the end of the job I can say, "That looks d@#n good." My quality of work is high for myself. The customer smiling when I finish is a requirement for me and my crew. If it is not high quality. It is junk.

[DieselDeere]

Originally posted by MOlawnman
Not really that time consuming. Only about an extra 10 minutes. Cost more??? Only about $5 per install. Also if the wires are in conduit it keeps animals or the string trimmer from cutting through them. We even use conduit from the spot where the wires enter the garage up to the controller.

I agree with Rotor-Man. Little touches go a long way to securing more business.

Steve

I think it depends on the person.

Originally posted by DanaMac
I've seen one like that!! Told them it didn't meet code and needed fixing. They said no, it works just fine.