I don't really pay attention to much to what kind of verbal bravado they may have during an interview, well outside of common sense.

I will however have a mocked up system for that person to hook up and get working, that's the best way to see what they know!

Sorry, I don't install other people's stuff......lol



I really don't know the answer to this "who is the real pro" issue.

1. Ask for proof of Worker's comp and liability? Okay, can do.
2. No actual licensing in my area, even if you wanted one. Doesn't exist.
3. Bonded? Don't see that need, but I guess someone around here may offer that service.

Questions I think any client should ask?

How many years has YOUR company been in this SPECIFIC business (Alarms for 30 years, but CI for less than 6 months)?

Do your installers work for your company, or do you use sub-contract labor?



Of course, the local hacks just lie.....

What about something concerning the testing/certification of all final terminations?

Give me a computer and a decent printer and I can print up just about anything. Not to be a smartass, but for me to believe it I would have to witness the tests.

Everyone has a point, but I have never had a client ask for my certifications. I usually throw it at them during the first meeting, but most of our projects come from Designers and GC'S or just word of mouth and that is enough to gain the clients trust.
Now having insurance is a given and being state licensed is another ,but longitivity is the key in my opinion. and also providing references is another way to put the client in the comfort zone.

I will agree that even the worst hacks can get licensing, certifications, etc. To that point, even if a company has an ace crew that wins awards, industry acclaim, and gets magazine exposure, there is no guarantee that this will be who they sent to your house this afternoon...

I will stand firm on insurance. I wouldn't let anyone on site without proving that they had proper insurance coverage as a contractor.

In regard to certifying runs, I don't see the kinds of companies clamoring for tightly bid MDU or development jobs investing in $1000+ tools to give a house a pass/fail grade on their network cabling. In the commercial cabling world, it is a given that this will be a part of the job, but not in residential.

I know of higher end resi guys who certify data runs, but they are absolutely in the minority for residential work. My old company used to test continuity and verify proper pairings with a Microtest (now Fluke) MicroScanner, but we never pulled the trigger on a certification rig.

With the rigs changing each and every year and the fairly steep initial investment, I can't see a lot of companies running out to buy them without a strong demand for certification in the market.

It's tough to judge someone's work without seeing it firsthand...
If I could see one of their current projects, I would look at the terminations.
With RF, I would like to see clean clean cut dialectric stopping at the proper spot in the base opf the connector, and with a center just beyond the outer ring.

Run away if you see strands inside the connector...
a dialectric that is recessed or shoved too far into the connector...
or a chewed up dialectric, nicked up center, or any other marks that indicate being stripped with a pocket knife.

With telecom and data, I would look to see that the wires are laid out neatly with a mind to maintaining proper bend radius for the cables and not yanked bow-string tight with sharp angles. I would check to see that the punchdowns are clean and that the wires are all seated consistently ( a sign that they take care while punching)

Also, when a contractor looks for a sub, they tend to pay attention to what they do know, the quality of a contractor's tools and how he (or she) uses them.

If a guy (or gal) is drilling through a bottom plate and subfloor to prepare for a wall run and reaches for a Craftsman paddle bit, I know where he's at in his contracting career. If the guy at the next site reaches for a Lenox or Milwaukee Selfeed bit for the same application, then I know that he's been around for more than a few days and I can trust that maybe he knows a little more about what he's doing than the other person.

Ask to look in the trunk of his car, watch to see if he slams it when closing.

I think a meeting with the installer can give you a pretty good idea of where he's coming from. How he answers questions or doesn't answer questions. Of course there are some fast talkers and BSers out there and I don't think there is any sure-fire, 100% way to avoid being ripped off.

Photos of the jobs that you did for your references helps.

As far as labeling I use the number books for prewire and Rhino labels at termination with a wire code sheet taped in the can. I take photos of everything with my digital camera and give the customer a copy of all photos and documentation on a CD.

I use masking tape, dammit!

Well, then maybe you will know where I am. I have puzzled over the correct choice between a paddle bit that runs too slowly through the wood and a selfeed bit that stops self feeding when it hits a knot or a hard spot, and needs to be used with a drill motor that can cause bodily injury when the bit stops -- as it occasionally will do. I prepared to ask one client, who owns a tool shop, just how to be able to mow through beams like butter, when it occurred to me -- use a SHARP paddle bit running at high speed, and push it slowly through the wood so as not to overheat it.

I think that a person is an amateur when he pushes hard while drilling. It's like my brother-in-law when he was 20 -- I saw him use a furniture dolly, which allows you to balance a load over some wheels, and he had the refrigerator tilted so far back that he could hardly move. Correct tool, wrong approach.

Thank you, Ernie - I was looking for a polite way to disagree with Rick, and you found it. I'm no amateur, but I like paddle bits too. It's not that I don't like self-feeding augers, but I've had them run through the other side once they popped through, and they're pretty hard to stop once they get going. Kind of scary to be working a heavy drill, and then have it pop through the other side only to catch an edge and suck through at high speed.

Different strokes, etc...

Norm

What if the installer tells you he'she is BICSI certified. Cedia is not the only organization the certifies technicians for structured cabling. In fact I'd be willing to bet that BICSI was certifying structured wiring installers long before CEDIA. I've seen a lot of very good installations by BICSI trained/certified techs.

The point being that there may be more than one organization that can teach technicans how to install structured wiring.

The best criteria would be one made up of many of the suggestions posted above. It's like selecting any contractor of any trade. You have to ask a lot of questions. Certainly licensing and other criteria are important, but many states/provinces do not place these requirements on certain industries and in other states/provinces licensing is just a money grab/joke.

We have forgotten the original question.
Julie is not looking for our (dealer/installer) criteria.
How does a builder or consumer know if the CI is qualified?
I would assume that this is for "EH" use.

Do you follow proper procedures for running CAT5e?
Do you certify your network wiring?
How do you test your wiring?
Do you guarantee network performance / speed?
Do you remember where you lost your two front teeth?

Testing and certification of systems, performance guarantees, general appearance of the guy, his shop (does he have or come from one)? Is it neat, organised with intelligent appearing staff? Are the work vehicles clean, organised well stocked?
Years in the business, references, published installations?
Does it appear that the company is financially solvent? Is anything a little rough around the corners or funky about the business, it's trucks or employees?

Was the initial phone contact with the person answering the phone for the company a pleasant & professional exchange, or did it seem like you were talking to a high school dropout who couldn't wait to get you off the phone?

Did they call you back when they said they would.
Was it hard to get a call through to them, did you have to retry numerous times?

Did they, in the initial interview start bad mouthing competition, or highlight what they do well?

< cynical mode on>
How much will you kick me back?
What can you do at my house for free?
< cynical mode off>

sorry, but that's what I hear from every tract builder I've ever met.