Question for all the GC’s. I rarely encounter a bad client, but am really struggling to keep my cool on this one. I have remodeled a near perfect bathroom for this client and they have been expressing that they’ve been pleased with quality and process throughout. I’m finished with the project and they are refusing to make final payment until I re-caulk the shower. I installed basic pure white subway tile and used white silicone for caulking as I’ve found it to be the only caulk that holds up to high moisture. Their complaint is that the caulk is to shiny. I suspect that they do not have enough $ to pay me, so are trying to find ways to delay or not pay final payment. Would you re-caulk the shower? I was not my most composed self and told them that I cannot request Dow industry’s to develop a white silicone with no shine just for them. Should I re-caulk with a latex based caulk that will not hold up and instruct the warranty is void for all caulking issues? Or do I ask if they are out of $? I have a feeling they will find something else to complain about if I re-caulk. Do I fight? What would you do?
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j,
Tough question to answer. What we would do sitting here might adversely affect your job and future. Easy answer is redo the caulk but don’t fall into the trap of using something sure to fail. Find something good you’ll stand behind with no sheen.
Or, did you ever try knocking the glare off using say 400 (or whatever)grit sandpaper? Not sure if that would compromise the antimicrobial feature.
After all the time in the trade I’m sure we both could fill a lot of pages of reviews on our customers. Even thought a good idea would have been a reverse angie’s list. 30 yrs ago I started to do jobs by referral only and that solved a lot of heartache. Previous customers who knew me wouldnt take the chance on giving my name out to a goofball.
Best of luck!
The client: We have all had clients like this. I understand your frustration. Pick your best or easiest course of action and keep moving forward. This particular issue should be a change-order item. Hopefully it's not a small claims court item. Good luck on that.
The caulk: Get a squeeze bulb and some drywall dust. While the fresh caulk is tacky, before it skins over, dust the surface by blowing the dust on it. Practice this elsewhere first - you have a short working time here before the silicone skins over. Alternately, the silicone is paintable - you need to wipe it down with denatured alcohol to clean and de-glaze the surface first, or check with the manufacturer about the best procedure. (Personally, I don't care for silicone due to the sheen and durable adhesion problems, but I don't use latex either. There are good products out there. Check with a tub refinisher - they have good solutions.)
Thanks for support. I did choose the white shiny silicone as it was being applied to true white gloss tiles and tub. I did ask the owner if gloss tile and gloss tub are acceptable why not gloss white silicone, no response. I did happen to bump into their neighbor of whom is social with my client. I actually got the job from their neighbor as he was a previous customer and he put in a good word for me. He told me their son recently totaled his car. I think my original assumption of them running out of $ is the case. I’m going to have an honest discussion with them tomorrow and ask if they are tapped out of funds. If I can get them to pay off partially to cover cost of my vendors I have no problem waiting for the rest of payment (as long as it isn’t too long). I think it will work out fine as they are probably feeling a bit overwhelmed and desperate at the moment.
If you do work out such an arrangement, but sure to have it signed by all parties. Include all costs, a payment schedule and a firm deadline for the payments.
This will be a great help when they bail on you and you have to put a lien on their house. IMHO, The document should contain language that you will lien their house if the payment schedule is not followed.
When a client starts to feed you BS about the sheen on a caulk, the only thing you know for sure is that you are likely to encounter still more BS as time progresses.
Good luck.
I think I worked for them.........
I tell all my bathroom customers that the caulk in the corners and around the floor is a maintenance item that will need to be redone every so often. I use the latex caulk that matches the tile color and leave them the tube. I never use silicone because it leaks like they all do, is almost impossible to remove and once removed nothing likes to stick to the film that you can't remove.
I agree with others that they sound like nit pickers who don't want to have to pay. I had to finally walk away from a shower several years ago with less than half the money because the prima donna customer never stopped demanding more.
Good luck.
I'd file the lien this week. In Florida, you only have 30 days after the last work is completed.
“[Deleted]”
Got paid! Their father handed me a check from his account, so they were out of $ as I suspected. Such BS, make a guy go through hoops to please you to find out its just a way to procrastinate on payment. If they would have simply told me they were out of $, it would have been easier to handle. Well, safe to say I will never work for them again!