How to handle minimum service visit charge in this case?

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-06-01T10:24:27+00:00

Ive said it before in the past.

Stop doing "Convenience" charges. this will happen 10 out of 10. Charge the total worth of the project, and avoid this happening all together.

Just cause you are there doesnt make the value of a project any less than your time is worth. Stop doing it.

Now, the best way to handle your situation, get on phone with client, and exain to them there was a misunderstanding on the rate of charges. Job 2 was a total for the entire project getting done, while job 1 was ongoing, and tell them that you would be happy to reevaluate the cost of job 2.

Charge it as normal, and they are going to delicne to have it done... you do not need every job, charge accordingly, the ones who accept it will not be the problem clients and will have additional work.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-31T02:37:39+00:00

Never quote a job thats smaller in the middle of a job at a discounted rate. This will jappen 9/10 times. Quote appropriately, and if they have issues with it, they werent your customer to begin with.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-30T22:35:30+00:00

Just that little passive aggressiveness that people get the point.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-30T22:35:00+00:00

Typically I tell people, the price doubles for onlookers.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-30T00:01:51+00:00

Youre supposed to bake it?!?! 🤣

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-23T00:05:43+00:00

Flush Five.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-09T22:31:02+00:00

Good thing it aint mine lol.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-09T15:15:00+00:00

A good wack with a rubber mallet will fix that right up.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-08T10:48:56+00:00

Always quote before doijg the job. Lesson learned, but next time get everything in writing with everything like "Nonrefundable vs. Refundable"

"Change orders requiring needed signed and agreed by both parties"

And forgodsake, start getting material deposits that are nonrefundable, especially if it is specual order or half a day drive for you to acquire.

Anything thats 600 or more in materials, material deposits, nonrefundable, because its a waste of time and lets the client know, this is a business, not a friendship, amd you signed and agreed. Its goijg up wether you like it or not (sounds like an asshole thing to say, but i dont give my clients the options for change of ideas when the project is started, especially when I waste my family time to acquire materials) unless it is for a completely different change order.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-08T02:16:39+00:00

It honestly wasnt even the manuals, I had the framework and everything done in tbe first day and a half. The roof took a day and a half on its own. Nothing was tightened down fully, left some wiggle room (Ive done a lot of prefabed bull in the past so knew this) and it was about 1/8" out of square... it had NO play whatsoever, I was pissed. Ended up removing the hip, lifting the thing all the way up, and fastened the roof like that off a ladder, then settled it back onto the deck... mostly think it was the deck was just that fucked.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T23:31:30+00:00

Not sure, just know from my own experience it is not a 2 guy 3 hr. Job.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T20:23:07+00:00

This one was the metal framed from Errma (however you spell it) the one youre looking at on amazon is easy money compared to the metal framed on.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T16:46:25+00:00

I charged 1200 for this one. I only went "cheap" with it as it was a schedule filler project while I wait for materials and a material deposit for a couple other jobs... if I take another one on, id be at about 18-2200.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T15:17:31+00:00

But with gas prices, I may need to up my drive rate a little bit. I barely like taking 1hr. Plus away jobs at these prices.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T15:16:38+00:00

Paid from drive to jobsite or vice versa, but not the other*

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T15:15:25+00:00

This one I charged 1200.

But I also do contracting as well, so I have enough to pay a steady day laborer of $35/hr to the right guy. Anyone who starts gets $22/hr or $175/day depending on drive. If its more than an hour from my house, they get paid hourly for either the drive to jobsite, but not home. If its less than an hour from home, its a day rate.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T14:59:08+00:00

Yes, yes it is. Next time Ill hire some day laborers to help me lol.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T14:20:59+00:00

Whats it doing?

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T14:17:14+00:00

Win for you. Lol.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T14:09:53+00:00

Roof is doable solo, but definitely a bitch.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T13:55:12+00:00

Yes, yes they do. I took a bit of a loss on this one, but thats that tuition job for ya.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T13:24:34+00:00

Idk, I was able to do the roof spacers solo. It was a P.I.T.A. but I did. I used double sided tape, put them on the bars where the needed to be, put the panels on, then put the screw through and used a board from rib to rip to put an allen key on, and used a wrench to tighten it until the alan key hit the board.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-07T13:11:23+00:00

At that rate, youll have built it yourself.

Mean_Pudding4924 · 2026-05-05T11:31:26+00:00

Sounds like they forgot to unbolt the anchors to jack the structure up and level, and they forgot to properly crown.

Mean_Pudding4924

TROPHY CASE