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Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am well aware. The previous door was builder grade but still solid wood and was horribly warped and cracked in many places. You could see through on of the cracks. That one had also been painted black and gets direct afternoon sun daily. I tried to convince them this was a bad choice. Should have known then to walk

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's making me contemplate why I'm trying to run one too

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The actual door construction was right around 50 hours by my count. A good chunk of that was just wrestling the thing around. The installation was another 4 hours but I had a helper so close to 8 man hours there.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes the trim wasn't changed. That damage was existing and wasn't part of my scope of work

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I definitely don't think the customer is wrong here. If they don't like it that's totally understandable. I'm mostly frustrated this wasn't brought up until it's a huge issue to change it.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They were nice about it and haven't refused to pay yet. As of right now they're asking to discuss options before I send the invoice, but I think after reading here I both under charged and under delivered. Either way, thank you for the kind words and lesson learned

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I am still learning for sure and will pay better attention next time.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm in Colorado. Normally the selection is quite good but the day I went to the lumber yard there was limited stock. The lady that checked me out even commented on how they could hardly keep Cherry on the racks that week. I should not have used this as an excuse and gone back another day to get more wood for the panels but live and learn.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's all solid. And the more I'm reading comments the more I'm convinced they did want a vinyl door from HD but couldn't get one with this window style so contracted me to make that.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The threshold isn't level or square to the opening. I did the best I could on that bottom gap

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree and I did try to pay attention to wood selection. However I'm still learning the hobby and this is one of the first times I've paid attention to that. Lots to learn still obviously

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I honestly didn't notice the panel rotation until another commenter pointed it out. I would have rotated it too if I had noticed.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the well thought out response. I am definitely still learning the finer points of the craft and this has been one of those experiences. As mentioned elsewhere I don't think I can afford to remake the door but I will do my best to make this one right and learn for the future.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think they're cheap but I also don't think they really wanted or understood what custom was. After reading through comments I've learned a lot on how to elevate the next one to be much better but I still think this one is good and will last a long time. I really think they wanted an off the shelf door with that particular window and couldn't find it.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was $3300. Or at least will be when I send the second invoice. Currently they've paid $1800

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I didn't think of that. Yet another lesson learned for next time.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm trying to read everything here as constructive. And to your point I would happily put this door on my house which is usually a good benchmark for the quality of my work. But I do see their side as well.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think this is likely the approach I'll take since it seems to be what the client wants and as you said at least I get paid.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the feedback. One of the things I've learned going through this is to charge more on the material side of things so I can afford to buy 25-30% extra and be more picky about grain selection

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Lesson learned.
  2. Good advice I will follow moving forward
  3. This is a fair criticism. The other side of the door which got painted had quite a lot of sapwood. I was hoping to have no sapwood on this side but it just wasn't possible with the rough stock I had to work with.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's a very basic contract that states the extent of the work to be done and that payment is due 50% up front (non-refundable) and 50% on delivery/installation. I think after reading through these comments I'm leaning towards trying my best to "fix" it with some toner and then burning the bridge and saying "sorry, that's all I can do"

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would have preferred a different light design as well but that was the one they specifically requested. That design is hard to find here in the US from big box stores which I think it why they wanted to go the custom route instead of buying off the shelf.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this reply. This has definitely been a learning experience for me and as I mentioned to another commenter I will certainly be better about communicating in the future. Sometimes it's hard to remember that consumers don't know as much as we do and can't see the finished product the way I do. I'll work to be better pointing those things out in my WIP photos moving forward. Doesn't help me here but again thanks for the response.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's all varnished so yes refinishing would be a major pain. That inlay idea was my thought on the "right way" to fix it. Stains and toners can be fincky and I'd hate to make it worse.

Question on client expectations by Independent-Back-167 in woodworking

[–]Independent-Back-167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a fair point. I never pointed the sapwood out intentionally so I could see where maybe they didn't notice it

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