FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Scheduling question

| Posted in Business on March 21, 2002 11:30am

Hello all-

I have scheduled a remodeling job for the second week in April.  I took 10% down as a deposit, with a clearly laid out payment schedule.  The job is supposed to take about a month.  Now they want to push it back to the second week in June.

I have other work booked.  I am not sure how to approach this as it has never happened to me before.

 

Thanks in advance

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Wolvie | Mar 21, 2002 11:32pm | #1

    Since I don't do residential, I can't offer much info to you, other than if it increases your costs (screws up other projects, interferes with materials purchase $$, etc), you should pass those increases on to the owner.

    I defer to Mike Smith on this one - he's the remodel guy!

    Woe to the cook whose sauce has no sting
    - Chaucer

    1. AaronSpies | Mar 21, 2002 11:37pm | #2

      true, it does screw up my costs.  Big time, as I don't think I can find something else to fit in the spot.  Feel like I should get to keep the 10%..... reschedule with another 10% for a whole new date.  Is that fair?  10%=$900

      Thanks for responding.

      Aaron

      1. Wolvie | Mar 21, 2002 11:44pm | #3

        To my way of thinking, it is a reasonable request. Not sure how you wrote up your contract, nor the laws about such things where you are.

        Good luck!Woe to the cook whose sauce has no sting- Chaucer

  2. roucru | Mar 22, 2002 03:51pm | #4

    Schedule them for the next available time that you have.  Aug.? Sept.?  Save the deposit until then. Do you have any "backburner" work. Next time in the contract have some specification if they delay start time the penalty should be_________.

    Tamara

  3. TommyB12 | Mar 22, 2002 08:29pm | #5

    Thank you for posting this aaron.  I'm not sure this has happened to me before either.  More often than not you can't get there soon enough for people. 

    I usually take 3-5% as a non refundable scheduling deposit.   But I have never had to take it.   I'm thinking I need to review my contract in this area.

    10% of a months work cancelled a few weeks before seems more than fair to me.  I would try to move something else up and shift things around to accomodate them.  It would be rare that I couldn't find something to start earlier.

    I guess its a two way street though.  I'm not sure I would be willing to pay a penalty if I asked the customer to push the start date back anywhere up to two weeks.

    I'm thinking along the lines of if the project is cancelled less than one month prior to the contract start date, keep the full deposit,  rescheduling more than two weeks from start date would require something like half of that.  Two months as in your case I guess would be cancelling and new contract.

    Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

    Tom

    1. AaronSpies | Mar 23, 2002 02:54am | #6

      In terms of filling the hole.  So far so good. 

      I will hold the deposit until the new start date.  If I am unable to find new work, or move back-burner stuff up, I will keep the deposit.

      Now all I need is a way to say that to the homeowner.  I don't want them on my back.  Calling everyday to ask if I have found new work.  On the other hand, I don't feel justified in just taking their money.  I would feel like a jerk if it worked out for me in the end.  On the other hand, I would feel hungry if I was out of work for a few weeks. 

      As I said up top.  So far so good.

      Aaron

      1. AaronSpies | Mar 27, 2002 04:47am | #7

        well, the hole is now more than full, and seems to be spilling out into summer.

        They don't lose a cent.  Neither do I.  So far everyone is happy!

        back to the fray!

        Aaron

        1. User avater
          bobl | Mar 27, 2002 04:36pm | #8

          Happy endings are good

          How volitile are your material prices?boblVolo Non Voleo  9Joe's cheat sheet

          1. AaronSpies | Mar 28, 2002 02:13am | #9

            bobl-

            I gave them a bid on labor alone.  I had thought of that as well.  Had the materials been included in the bid, we would have renegotiated.

            Thanks for your concern.

            A 

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business

Join some of the most experienced and recognized building professionals for two days of presentations, panel discussions, networking, and more.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data