It's funny that this topic came up because I was just thinking about this.

I LOVE wiring buildings. - NO not existing buildings where you have to work around the rats nests left behind by electricians and around all the trash and crap that litters the customers desks and stuff but new build outs. I think it's a breeze to go in, crank up the radio and do drops. I like it MUCH better than say programing Avaya VM [Linked Image from sundance-communications.com]
I also think it's MUCH more of a pain in the ass to go in and install or move a phone system on someone elses wiring.

I've had this happen to me a few times: When something goes wrong it's your fualt since you are the last guy standing. Even if it's a wiring issue, the electrician says "no there is nothing wrong with the wiring" and you end up eating it. Since the electrican is already gone and cashed his check you're left holding the bag.
If you want to get paid for the phone system move you better just fix the problem "on the house" because the customer is sitting there saying "get my phone system up and running or I'll get someone else". They neither want to understand that it's a wiring issue or care. They just think "this is telephone, you're the telephone guy FIX IT"

What I see is that in new construction the electrician is "assumed" to know how to do low voltage/telephony. I was wondering if anyone had any experience in finding an in to these commercial contractors - the GC - to explain to them about the value of having voice and data done by a specialist?

What are some of the most common errors you see made by electricians when it comes to voice and data? For example I constantly see 90+ degree bends in cat5. Crushed cables is another common theme.

Corwyn

Phones & Stuff, Inc.