I am finishing up a project with a client to install new windows and then trim them. I bid this project much lower than I should have and expressly omitted painting ( clear coat) in the contract. We did this in two phases and the first phase is done and paid for.
I am now almost finished with the second phase and now she want me to go back and putty all the holes on both phases. This is not in the listed items that is included in the contract and it is my understanding that this is part of the painting end . What do you think
thanks in advance.
lee
Replies
Putty is applied after the sealer coat and sanding, so yes, that is the painters job.
But how did you word your contract? Maybe she sees a wording loophole to bleed you with, maybe she hates to see you go.
Maybe you will leave some of your food money on her doorstep to get out of there. If that is that case make sure she knows there are no hard feelings, but you will never work for her again.
as qtrmg has said... it either comes out of your pocket or hers...
there are two ways of doing it:
specific language and a close but profitable price..
or non-specific language and bid it so's you can take care of all of the unforeseens and still keep both your customer smiling and your family
either way , you are building your business rep.... which one will get you more referrals in the future ?
..(in the future ) as to right now : a conversation laying out your bid intentions and how it is part of the painting.... MAY salvage the situation..
but hey, whadda i no ?
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Well as you suggested I had a conversation with her and much to my amasement she did not put up a fuss. I think she knew better to begin with.
As you all may or may not have guessed this is the same lady as the one in the "Dog went missing Post" She has been one of the most difficult clients of my career but raves about the qualtiy of the work that I have been giving here for a song because of the poor economy. At any rate I often find my self at a loss when my perception of how things should go and the clients expectations do not agree. It has been great to be able to bounce these sticky situations off the forum for a second opinion. Thanks for the support !!!
lee
Hey what ever happened with the dog? Did it ever show up again?Tamara
yes she showed back up that evening and was fine ..thanks for the concern
lee
We call this an E.C.O. Engineering change order.
If your contract is air tight about this, then charge her for the extra. If this is a good client, cover your costs. If you don't care about the referals, make a bundle.