[RE-wrenches] Liability

[Jason Szumlanski]

I take that to the next level and insist that we bring the system up to current code and our current workmanship standards, which often exceed minimum code substantially. In some cases this is impossible, at least within practical cost limits. It's common to find non-listed or substandard components that customers just don't understand why they need replacing. Most will decline my proposal to service he system if the cost is substantial.

Most of the "other guys systems" that we work on are permitted and inspected from contractors that have gone under or no longer do PV work. These are usually genuine cases where the customer simply needs warranty replacements or damage repairs. The jobs I'm not very interested in servicing are the DIY systems or customers who had a falling out with our competitors. While it is appealing to "steal" a customer, it's pretty likely that the customer is overly demanding or problematic and that our competitor generally did what they were contracted to do. At least that's my experience in this area, at least with solar electric. Solar thermal is another case... 

We get lots of customers walking in looking for DIY advice. There is probably a lot of liability in that, but I do steer people in the right direction. Often they get too frustrated and it results in a job for us. We're not doing rocket science, but it is not erector sets either...

Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar

              

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of penobscotsolar at midmaine.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 12:05 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Liability

We don't work on systems that do not conform to code unless the client
agrees that our work will include bringing the installation up to said
code. It becomes our responsibility once we work on it, and even with our
$1,000,000 liability coverage (and my gf is a lawyer), this is still our
policy.




> Since the invention of the lawyer and insurance agent, there has alway
> been liability. Your hourly. Barge includes money that goes to both of
> them. You should carry $1M policy and have working relationship with an
> attorney (that is. It a family member).
>
> As a practical matter, we complete a Service Report in writing to give to
> the customer and we take digital photos before, during and after each
> visit. Those photos are stored in a customer folder forever (and sync'd
> off-site via DropBox).
>
> Thank you,
>
> Maverick
>
>
> Maverick Brown
> BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ®
> President & CEO
> Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc.
> Office:     512-919-4493
> Cell:        512-460-9825
>
> Sent from an iPhone.
>
> On Nov 23, 2011, at 10:43 AM, mac Lewis <maclewis1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hey wrenches,
>>
>> Wanted to see what everyone does in a case like I just encountered.  I
>> got a call from a tenant for an off-grid system installed by the
>> landlord (supposedly an electrician).  I went up there to look at the
>> site and it was a mess.  System lacked OCPDs, there were gouges in the
>> insulation of the wires, loose terminals, nothing ran in conduit, etc...
>>  I was called up there to see why the generator was not auto starting.
>> I got the auto start working, expressed my concern to the tenant about
>> the workmanship and left.  Now I'm wondering whether I should have
>> touched the system at all.  What would you do?  Is there liability here?
>>
>> Thanks
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>> Mac Lewis
>>
>> "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
>>
>>
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