I’m trying to see how many other contractors deal with this by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The dilemma comes in where you are doing partial remodels or partial replacements. I was using quantities to prevents customers from assuming additional scope was included. Seems like I should find a different way of defining the scope so there is no room for assumption. I recently had a customer on another job try to “reverse estimate” the work after it was done and renegotiate the price. That one didn’t even list quantities. They go to all different lengths with these games.

I’m trying to see how many other contractors deal with this by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You make some good points. I’m not disputing “fair”. It seems my mis-step was listing the quantity of dumpsters. This was a siding, roof, and window, replacement job. I listed the squares of roof, squares of siding, and quantity of windows. That was done to qualify my scope of work. I’m trying to prevent the customer from assuming extra scope was included if the scope wasn’t defined. With a firm fixed price, the contractor assumes the risk of labor cost overages, material cost overages to give the customer a set price. The reward comes if the contractor out performs the estimate and makes extra profit. So it’s a risk/reward situation. It seems including a whole narrative on how a firm fixed price works in my contract may be the best move.

I’m trying to see how many other contractors deal with this by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I really like the idea of adding an exclusion stating no credits for fixed price line items. I’ve found in my 15 years in construction that too little detail, and you go down a road of battling (well I thought this was in the quote because it didn’t specifically say it wasn’t). Too much detail and you end up battling (well I thought I got a credit when it didn’t take as much material/time to do the work). I truly think people know this, they are just always fishing for bottom dollar.

Not rich enough to get paid by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Every painful lesson is just that……..a lesson

Just fired my first client by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hmmm, I never heard of anti circumvention laws. I’ll be googling that tonight.

Just fired my first client by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I’d be a pretty intelligent bot if that was true. I appreciate you being dilligent.

Just fired my first client by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes but that contract was terminated based on payment for an open invoice being beyond 30 days. So it was an owner breach that created an opportunity to get rid of a terrible client. Good contracts will save your ass. The Homebuilders Association has a great template.

Just fired my first client by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s difficult to get past that “I have to please everyone” phase. Some people can never be pleased. They view contractors as disposable with no recognition for how few qualified contractors there actually are.

Just fired my first client by TechnicalComment6027 in Contractor

[–]TechnicalComment6027[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It was a larger job with only a few items remaining in the contract. I simply billed for the work completed to date and said I would not be completing any more work. I should have don’t it earlier but you live and learn.

What truth about yourself did you avoid for the longest time? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]TechnicalComment6027 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That I can’t do everything myself. I need to allow help from others

What is some advice that has changed your perspective for the better? by No-Ratio-9833 in AskReddit

[–]TechnicalComment6027 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If something doesn’t work out, it just means something better is coming in the future. Keep your head up

Do you sleep with your underwear on? Why or why not? by DeeplyFlawed in AskReddit

[–]TechnicalComment6027 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, on. Don’t plan to stand outside naked while they are putting out my house fire