Turn the light on
Friday, April 18, 2008 @ 2:42 PM
Why is it that people have an aversion to changing bulbs? Joy and I recently went to view a property which had been rented out on a long term basis, in every single room there was one or more light bulbs out and we when counted up there were actually 15 bulbs to replace! All different sizes and wattage. They must have lived with limited lighting for months. But what did they have to do to change them, not all owners leave safety ladders in the properties so by the absence of such an item or you saying that it is ok to stand on the furniture to change a bulb?
So many of my owners say “I just stood on the chair” well that is fine when it is their chair, if an owner breaks it then they will only blame themselves, if I stand on a chair and break it what will happen then? I actually refuse to stand on any furniture to change bulbs, safety step ladders with a handle to hold on to are not that expensive to buy, 3 or 4 steps is sufficient. It also makes life so much easier if the light fitting is accessible and remember there is nothing worse than doing a meet and greet or viewing and showing people around a property with light bulbs out. It just gives the wrong impression.
Some light fittings are a nightmare to get into, in one apartment we had to get a screwdriver to get into it. When you are standing on ladders, screwdriver in hand, arms aching like mad and worried sick that you will drop the shade I think, why did they not buy a light fitting which was easily accessible!!! If you are renting out your apartment then this needs to be a consideration. We had one apartment which had light fittings which took the long thin bulbs which were 150 watts, they got so hot that the ceiling plaster started to crack and when the bulb went it actually melted onto the shade. We advised the owner to change the light fittings in all the rooms as they were dangerous.
Please consider light fittings if you are thinking of renting your apartment, look at them not only from an ornamental point of view but from a practical point of view. Consider who is going to change them and are they easy to change, have you got a supply of spare bulbs available or do you expect that someone will have to go out and buy them for you? If a screwdriver is needed are you prepared to pay a call out charge to get someone to change it? Are the bulbs easily accessible and can be seen so that you know exactly what bulbs to buy or do you have to open the fitting before you can even tell what bulb it takes. If so have you made a list of which lights require which bulbs? Bulb maintenance can be a whole job in itself.
So, how many people does it take to change a light bulb?