I try not to be too negative, but...

Part of the purpose of this blog is provide a warning to people (like myself) who might be considering building, about some of the things that can go wrong. I've talked about the underfloor heating I am putting in. One of the requirements for this was to have off-peak power. We had allowed for 3-phase power, but off-peak wasn't something we originally planned for so it needed to be a variation. In addition, because the local electricity board don't provide a meter that can simultaneously provide 3-phase and off-peak, we would need to have three separate meters installed. This means we needed a larger meter box, which means a variation to be done before the brickwork was completed.

That's okay, I got in early. I let the selection consultant know what we would need and asked her to get back to me with a quote. I have had some trouble with email not getting through to her so a week later I phoned and sent it again. This time I faxed it as well. Then I phoned to make sure she got my email: yes, she got it, it shouldn't be a big problem, wouldn't even need to be a variation. Sounds too good to be true doesn't it... and it was. It turns out the email she had received was another of mine in which I said that Eden's electrician would have to do some pre-wiring. So a month later I look at the meter box and think, "That looks a big small..."

Oh dear, I discover the problem -- she never got my email. Okay, I try to remain calm and try to find out how we can fix this problem. Obviously the meter box will have to be replaced with a larger one, but it's not too big a deal since the gyprock isn't up yet. I once again send a detailed email and fax it to her, then phone to make sure she has got it. Two weeks later, after reminding her a few times, she finally gets back to me this afternoon. Yes, she says, they can fix it. It will cost about $450. Okay, that's not too bad, I think.

"So that's to put in the new meter box?"

"That's to put in an extra circuit and run the wires from the heating coils back to the meterbox."

"No, that's what Eden's electrician is doing, I need you to fix the meter box."

"Oh, that's not what Mr Sandwich got a quote for..."

Of all the useless balljuggling... Why? Why did I send an email? Did anybody read it? Why get Mr Sandwich to get a quote when he has no idea what is required? I can't believe they spent two weeks getting a quote for completely the wrong thing.

After a few minutes she gets back to me. "They say it will be cheaper to get your other electrician to do it, he can just put in another board."

I'm pretty sure no other board is going to fix anything. They need a bigger meter box and they need the electricity authority to install three meters. I have serious doubts even now that they know what is required. Must phone them again tomorrow ... and try to stay calm...