Just finished a job where the access was so tight I had to practically disassemble myself to get to the unit. My back is going to be screaming at me tomorrow. Some days are just pure physical effort.

Field Service Insights & Best Practices
1

Today was a workout in itself. Spent way too long contorting through a cramped space just to reach the equipment.

It’s funny how these jobs can test your limits, and you start questioning if the pay is worth the strain.

2

Those jobs are the worst. I just pop some ibuprofen and call it a day.

3

Sometimes I just eat the extra time and move on.

4

Those tight access jobs can be rough. I check the space before giving a quote and add extra for difficult spots. If I can’t see the unit well or have to crawl to reach it, I raise the price. It’s smart to be choosy about jobs.

5

Tight spots always make for a rough day.

6

Yeah, tight spaces are tough. I usually add a little more to the bill for those jobs.

7

I feel this so much. Had a job two weeks ago where I spent half the day crawling through what felt like a cave on my stomach. My chiropractor joked about seeing me again so soon.

What really gets me is when clients act like it should take the same time as a normal job. No Karen, it takes three times longer when I have to become a human pretzel.

These days I:

  • Take photos during quotes so I remember how awful the access was
  • Price it like the pain job it is
  • Bring a small flashlight even with overhead lighting
  • Plan extra recovery time after

Sometimes I wonder if we should just say no to these jobs. But the money’s usually decent when you price it right.

8

Been there. Had one last month where I was basically doing yoga to get behind this unit tucked under a staircase. Ended up using a heating pad for three days straight.

I started bringing knee pads and a small creeper board for the really bad ones. Makes a huge difference. Also learned to stretch before jobs like that. Sounds silly but it helps.

The money better be good for those torture sessions.

9

I walk away from jobs like that now. Learned the hard way after throwing out my back on a crawl space unit that was barely accessible. Spent more on medical bills than I made on the job. These days I tell clients upfront - if access is terrible, they need to clear a path or find someone else. Your body is your business. Protect it.