Replies

1. 
   OverKnight | Sep 23, 2005 12:43pm | #1

   I'd say if you care about your reputation and want further referrals and work from this person, you should go back and make the job right. Sorry, but if primer is showing, you didn't do a good job.

   Sometimes the best learning involves a little pain. Good luck.

2. 
   andybuildz | Sep 23, 2005 02:00pm | #2

   The right job is always, primer and "two" top coats where I'm from/
   Be well
   andy

   The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

   When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..

     I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,

   I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

   I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you

   and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.

    

    

   
    

    

3. 
   Schelling | Sep 23, 2005 02:40pm | #3

   It depends on how firm your price was. If I was your customer, I would expect to pay more if you ended up doing more work. On a small job like this, it is awfully hard to anticipate what can happen. Be honest about it and be willing to compromise. Most people are willing to pay but don't want to be taken advantage of by a dishonest tradesman. Your relationship with the customer will determine the ease of this transaction. Good luck.

4. 
   SHG | Sep 23, 2005 05:35pm | #4

   the customer asks for you to "paint his railing."  He doesn't ask for one coat or two, just to paint it.  You bid 2 coats.  Customer relies on your bid to fulfill his need.  If you've done prime plus 2 coats, the railing should be painted.  If primer is showing through, something went wrong.  In any event, you didn't give the customer what he asked for.

   Right thing is give the customer what he asked for.  Paint the railing. 

   SHG

   For every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong.

   -H.L. Mencken

5. 
   john | Sep 23, 2005 05:42pm | #5

   This is the downside of quoting a firm price, soemtimes the job goes badly and it takes more time than you expected. You need to go and put more paint on until it's right. Hopefully one more coat will do it. But whatever it takes is what you'll have to do, and there is no question of asking for more money.

   Sometimes jobs go quicker than expected and you therefore make more money than you expected to (or rather, make the same money in a shorter length of time. Least, I'm told that that is what happens, hasn't happened to me yet.

   John

   If my baby don't love me no more, I know her sister will.
6. 
   joeh | Sep 23, 2005 05:47pm | #6

   You bid on a finished product? It's not finished.

   If the primer is still showing, it's far from finished.

   Joe H

7. 
   BobKovacs | Sep 23, 2005 05:57pm | #7

   "Price is based on one coat of primer and two finish coats.  If additional coats are required for full cover due to material absorption, color, or other factors, add $XXXX to the base price."

   Think that line will be added to your bids in the future?  ;)

   Bob

1. 
   joepet | Sep 23, 2005 06:43pm | #8

   Thanks for all the quick replies, I knew in the back of my little mind that I had to take it on the chin, already did on the initial bid but when it keeps coming back at you thats when it hurts. I'm going to paint the rail and be happy, wait, buy more paint, tape off railing, lay down tarps, wash railing because it's right on a dock (salt water), paint and clean up, all with a smile, I'll consider this day my day off, Like the above poster said next time specify in the bid. Move on, be happy, and never let the customer see you sulk. Thanks all Joe.

1. 
   zendo | Sep 23, 2005 08:50pm | #9

   Joe,

   Not a big loss.  Its a few hours work... if it was an extra interior coat of a house it would hurt.

   Do it on a sunday if its loosing you money, and like Bob said, add a line in your bid, and in the future charge a bit more to cover your butt. 

   I dont think your primer is showing, unless its a red or something, the customer is a pain, but Ive had past pains pull me through the winter before.  I call them the Trauma/ Drama clients.   Everything they have is a Trauma... more than anyone elses.

   If it is a strong color, in the future, prime with middle grey or a tint of the color... you never have an issue.  Oh and as for water applications, boats have 9 coats of spar varnish.  Id treat wood and metal near the water with additional coats spec'd right in my bid... they can handle it.  You could also add clear coat in a can which helps as well.

   -zen

2. 
   aimless | Sep 23, 2005 08:51pm | #10

   Good on ya for doing the right thing.

3. 
   SHG | Sep 23, 2005 11:03pm | #11

   great attitude.  your customers will be lucky to have you.

   SHGFor every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong.

   -H.L. Mencken

1. 
   HandySteve | Sep 23, 2005 11:18pm | #12

   just be thankful your not having to pay for materials and what have you.  Its just your time.  Chalk it up

    

   good luck