Been on call the last week, most of the jobs are through a building maintenance company, who, have as one of their clients a large company who provide accomodation (normally converted houses) for adults with learning disabilities, its an odd set up, this company are effectivly just the landlords, the care staff are provided by other firms, anyway I digress, the building maint company have gained some extra areas at contract renewal.
Late friday afternoon, sent to a place about an hours drive away, kitchen light not working, called in advance "Is it a long strip light", Yes"...... "can you judge the length eg. 6 foot or 5 foot" "I think its about 6 foot, but could be 5". Ok then, I really didn't want to be up the creak, went to wholesaler, took 6', 5' and 4' T8 tubes and even some 5' T5s even though T5 are rare in domestic. Plus selection of starters. After farting around trying to find the place (there is a bunch of properties on this rooad tucked a long way down a long snicket / shared drive). Walk in at half 5, shown in, to see..... an 8foot T12 fitting (in a domestic kitchen!). Where the hell do you get an 8foot tube at half past 5 on the last friday before christmas?! Where do you get one at the best of times?! So best put a new fitting up I guess....drive half an hour to the nearest toolstation, manage to get a 6' LED fitting, back to site, fit it, fill in cert and job card, then drive an hour back home.
Then on saturday, I get one in about the furthest property they cover, its just over 2 hour drive from me, in Deke's stomping ground (If only I'd had his number!!), bathroom light not working, call out, manage to get them to confirm its a round fitting, flat out refuse to email me a picture (I'm guessing not good with tech - as this career later complained about having to sign the job card on the tablet we use), I'll have to go for it, its probably going to be a 28W 4pin 2D which I carry, and if not I have a replacement fitting that will get fitted. So drive 2 hours 15, wait while they find the signing in sheet, change lamp and starter, fill out maintenance log (most of the sites don't bother), get my paperwork signed, find out light been out since thursday, back in van, drive back, re-fuel. So thats a touch over 5 hours on double time to change a lamp and starter.
I'm covering callout Christmas eve as well, joy of joys
). New site to me, never been there before.
