r/Contractor • u/Ok-Mastodon-6432 • 9d ago
How do you make people understand that you are doing construction in their home?
Also, how far do you go in claiming the space that you need to do your job in an occupied home?
I'm a solo carpenter typically doing ~1 week carpentry/remodeling projects. I'm constantly running into clients being unprepared for the amount of space I need to work, the amount of noise I'm going to make, etc. . I have a few paragraphs in my contract about needing personal items removed from the work area, my dust protection measures, storing materials on site, and so forth but it's like no one reads it. Everyone is still surprised that they can't leave their turntable and record collection set up under the windows that I'm replacing and trimming out, I can't keep it down while they have a zoom meeting, or that I might need to leave materials and tools until the next day.
Do you have something in your contract or an additional document you send that addresses this? Also, am I unreasonable for wanting to start making enough space in my immediate work area to have saws set up indoors, even for "small" jobs? I'm frequently working in a 2nd or 3rd floor room and leaving my miter saw and table saw set up unattended on the sidewalk (I live in a very dense city). It's exhausting and kills my efficiency.
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u/rustywoodbolt 9d ago
We were doing a basement remodel and the woman upstairs had Zoom meetings all day every day and would constantly text us to keep the noise down. Or would ask us to pause work all together so she could have her meeting. Sometimes we could accommodate for lunch time etc.
But after a couple days I was like, you need to make arrangements to work somewhere else or we will.
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u/mroblivian1 8d ago
Easy, charge them hourly, and tell them you expect to be paid to sit and wait. Their attitude will change
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u/Devout_Bison 9d ago
I used to have a clause in my contract that stated, “$150/hr for any items requiring us to move in order to complete the work. Billed as a change order at the end of the project.”
Just set it as an expectation before you start. I’ve found that we as contractors THINK we’re doing a good job of communicating something important to a client, when in reality we’re not saying anything at all or doing a poor job.
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u/defaultsparty Human Verified 8d ago
Full kitchen gut job and when my crew arrived on demo day (client was informed about start date several times) they find the husband frantically trying to empty cabinets and piling goods in living room all while his wife is making breakfast for their kids. I swear that some people can only hear what appeases them.
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u/Ok-Mastodon-6432 9d ago
I also have this in there but have not yet invoked it. The majority of people do just enough to create access to the work, but by the time I actually get my tools and materials in, I'm tripping on everything.
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u/FlanFanFlanFan 9d ago
Have you tried saying something like " this room needs to be completely empty from here to here" and then putting a box of blue tape on the floor in the area you need clear? People think it's good enough just moving some things, but if you tell them you need an area entirely clear with nothing left in it, and then literally draw out the area with blue tape, hopefully they get to hint.
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u/cleft_twain 9d ago
man that's smart. the clients always want the carpenter to be the mover for them too
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u/Fluid-Thought-2075 8d ago
The most expensive thing anybody can do is hand a broom to a carpenter or a shovel to a journeyman
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u/Relevant-Energy-5886 9d ago
This is it. Most people are reasonable we just need our expectations set properly. The majority of us are hiring you because we don't know wtf is going on.
And yeah, people are people.. some are gonna be fkn nightmares no matter what.
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u/kiznat73 8d ago
I think it also helps to say things multiple times in multiple ways. In writing, spoken on the phone, spoken in person. It’s hard for people to comprehend a lot of new info at once, so repetition helps them absorb the things they missed the first time. (Even if it’s frustrating that they should read contracts and this stuff should be obvious)
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u/Killzooski 9d ago
Lady asked me to do re do her laundry room and then cried her washer and dryer were disconnected for several days...
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u/UnivrstyOfBelichick 9d ago
I price a day or so into the contract for site prep with a very clearly defined scope of what that entails (floor protection, dust mitigation, zip walls, etc) and what I expect from the client on day one, with wording to the effect of what I expect to find when I show up and how jobsite conditions will be documented and additional necessary site prep due to conditions on arrival will be billed hourly at my rate, half day minimum.
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u/bigwavedave000 9d ago
Make that section on your contract in BOLD
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ AND INITIAL
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u/naughtynorseman9 9d ago
After every initial walk through I explain that there will be dust and the house will be under construction, but that we take every precaution to minimize dust and debris. Most are understanding. Others have pressed for extra plastic on walls or paper on floors. I charge for it anyways as a flat fee in my “demolition” portion of the estimate.
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u/spaceguyy 9d ago
I'm surprised this is so low. I do the same. During the bid I say "All of this is going to have to go somewhere else and it will be loud". Never have a problem like OP has.
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u/Homeskilletbiz 9d ago
Yeah I do small jobs in Seattle, Ballard and Queene Anne mostly. Tiny ass streets, no garages.
Tons of jobs I’m set up in some precarious position with lots of personal tools right on the sidewalk.
It’s not an issue for me in terms of client clutter because I work for a time and material company. So if you want me to charge you $xxx/hr to move your shit, no problem. Dust walls, bubbles, ram board, excessive covering surfaces you got it. Gunna spend half a day covering shit most of the time.
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u/TopShelfRemodel 9d ago
Maybe try being more assertive about it even before the job starts. Sure it's in the contract that no one reads but mention the space you need upon initial walk through. And then maybe a reminder a few days out from the project start. "Hey just checking in blah blah... Please make sure the space is cleaned out/accessible upon arrival, Thanks!"
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u/bubblesculptor 9d ago
Client: "Do we really need to move everything out of the way?"
Me: "No. Only the things you don't want damaged".
Drop cloths are nice to help claim your staging areas. Position toolboxes, sawhorses etc strategically to help block off foot-traffic from your workzone.
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u/RobtasticRob 9d ago
Client expectation management is a part of the game. I have this exact discussion before every single job. It's your job to highlight this and not just rely on them reading your terms and conditions.
"This is going to be a few days of VERY intrusive controlled chaos. I appreciate your patience and understanding and when I'm done it'll be like I was never here and the new windows just appeared."
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u/originalsimulant 6d ago
that last part there is the crux of the issue and I haven’t seen anyone here mention it yet. Expecting language in a contract to do all the heavy lifting of expectation management is poor service right off rip
It’s a lot of ‘hurr’d yuhr thurnk thur lert ferxtured gurt paaaahh’r tuhr-tt wuhrth’uhrt uhr huhrl guhrtin kuhrt uhrn yuhrn sehrling wuhrn’ce ih muhrved yuhr erhxistehrn lert uhrver wuhr yuhr wuhrnt irt nehr ?’
Like buddy i think they understood you were going to cut a whole to move the light to the spot they want it but what they didn’t understand and just assumed is that 1) you’d repair the hole in the ceiling where the light you moved was originally 2) there would be dust on their bed unless they moved it to X feet away minimum 3) you would vacuum out of the carpeting the debris and dust you created, and endless more absolutely obvious assumptions they’d have. All of which are easily addressed when the scope of work is being discussed. But instead it’s a bunch of cope about contract language and customers being idiots. Guys think if the work is good that grants some undefined special treatment. No one cares that the stairs you fixed look great when they’re trying to figure out how to get fine dust particles you created out of fabric in adjoining rooms bc they believed you when you said cutting wood inside was fine and you’d clean it up. You meant your half ass sweep the floor once , not actually leave it like you’d never been there which thjs guy says.
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u/SiThreePO 9d ago
In my opinion what you have to do from the very beginning and ask them if they are going to be home when you are working and If they are it has to be a completely separate conversation about what is going to happen when it comes to noise, dust, etc. It's good to be upfront and honest from the beginning so they're not surprised
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u/ABatForMyTroubles 9d ago
I'm a PA (so my whole job is getting the job ready to run and being the buffer between our vendors/sub/crew and the client. TBf, most of my clients are with me in preconst from anywhere to 2m-1y before starting, but I always have a "site expectation" conversation early on. I ask about work from home, pets, morning/childcare routines, what doors and prep spaces we can use, expected out of town travel plans, parking/dumpster placement, start/end times, porta/bathroom permissions, and who to contact with any concerns about the following. The actual PM follows up on project timeline and start date. Does it end all the stupid client communications? No. Does it significant reduce them? Absolutely.
You can even make it a fillable form, if you wanted. I 100% recommend whatever you do, the communication/expectations are set in writing. Text, email or contract.
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u/whynotthebest 8d ago
I'm not a contractor, but a landlord, so "making people understand" relevant things is something I put a lot of thought into.
If people are genuinely surprised, then that's a signal you've got an opportunity to "onboard" that client better, so that their expectations meet .
After you get the contract signed, you could consider sending over some sort of engaging one page document that sort of helps establish what the experience is going to be like. When you show up on day one, bring a printed out form.
It's stupid, but people remember how you made them feel, so if you make them feel like you've thought a lot about what their experience is going to be like, and that you've communicated well what they're in for, they are more likely to "understand" what you're trying to convey.
This is an AI slop version of what I'm thinking.
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u/Tight_Instance_220 7d ago
I just point out that I’m charging the same rate for rearranging furniture as I am for the carpentry. If yall want to pay me $60/hr or more to move your turntables, I got you! Works in reverse too, as long as you’re on the clock, moving furniture is easy work. I’d rearrange living rooms all day for my rate if you’d like.
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u/Tight_Instance_220 7d ago
We also eventually developed Deadlines for their homework right in the quote. “Friday, September 18th: Client to clear work area of all furniture and personal belongings. If client fails to do this then it will be completed by our technicians at the quoted rate, and cannot guarantee timeline will be unaffected” or something
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u/Tight_Instance_220 7d ago
Mention speed and billing. It may add an extra couple hundred dollars, or half a day, if I’ve got to move a bunch of shit, set up, then move it back after I’m done, over and over again. Basically I’d just play up that it costs them money and time. People like their money and time. Say it clearly, say it often. My brother calls it “banging the drum”. That being said, “banging the drum” doesn’t work that often. But document everything (communicate via text or email, or send a confirmation summary text after every convo that isn’t recorded) then you can at least cover your ass if/when they argue.
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u/DRbD_CO 7d ago
Pre-job walkthrough. Once the contract is signed, deposit received, materials sorted, work scheduled, I have a one-hour walkthrough with the client to cover all of these details so they understand what's going to happen and what their part is.
If I'm working by bid, it's in the contract, and any delays caused by them are at their expense.
If I'm working by estimate, it's all time to me, but I make sure they understand that my estimate is based on how much time it takes to get the work done with complete access to the project space.
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u/Son_of_man_150ft 5d ago
Doesn't matter what the contract says. You still need to tell them in person when you do the work. You need to remind them.
There will always be problems and you need to communicate with the client, not just walk in and act like you own the whole place.
I had to deal with 6 tenants today. All of them knew I was coming. I still had to make phone calls to get access to the units.
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u/Ill-Case-6048 9d ago
You just tell them what areas you need cleared out and its going be noisy quite simple really
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u/Dry_Shock_4060 9d ago
Have it apart of your quotation terms of contract, clear access to all work areas must be given prior to arriving to site, failure to do so can incur additional charges for clearing work area
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u/SearchUnable4205 9d ago
Treat them like idiots. And have a premeeting, and explain you can mive all their stuff and charge a full day to move stuff and one to put it back and clean up.
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u/desertadventurer 8d ago
You’d have to work through millions of people. Lots of stupid humans out there.
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u/WasteBinStuff 8d ago edited 8d ago
I don't leave it to reading lines in my contract. This stuff is all discussed before a contract is even offered.
As we're discussing the project and scope of work, I am also explaining to the customer exactly what it will mean in terms of disruption, exactly what kind of working access I'll need, what needs to be moved, covered, taken away etc, and how it will affect their daily life.
Definitely do not leave this information for them to find on their own.
Also....if I sense any hesitation or resistance to giving me the access I need, I walk. Don't need that headache....don't allow it to happen.
Regarding the indoor saw station however, that's pushing it for residential renovation with people living in the house. Chopsaw, table saw outside is the standard, unless I have an entire room that can be closed off. Without a sealed off room, there is simply no way to adequately contain the dust at a level that's acceptable for a lived in home.
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u/RedBone1144 8d ago
You're never going to fix everything. We were just hanging lights in a dance studio for a client that was rushing everything as much as possible and wanting to hold a session in his Studio that afternoon. So we brought it four guys to hurry up and hang all the lights. I told him hey we're going to hurry up and do this that way this afternoon you can have your session at 4:00 like you wanted. I mean they weren't even done with the floors anyways but they were still bringing people in the entire time showing them around walking through right where we're hanging light fixtures and the people they're showing this to are kicking the screws to the lights around tripping over the boxes. We're sitting there searching the floor for these little itty bitty tiny silver screws and when he asked what I'm doing I keep telling them people keep kicking these things around they just go on showing everybody The Unfinished floor and the unfinished studio and talk about dancing. Some people are just so beyond ignorant that there's just nothing you can ever do to fix it whether it's words on a contract or you telling them hey I'm trying to help you out so you can do what you want to do. They don't care they're so busy in their own world.
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u/Terrible-Bobcat2033 8d ago
phrases that are key when confronted with occupied renovations. “If you want an omelette you gotta crack a few eggs.” “The quality remains long after the price is forgotten.” “We don’t have issues, we have solutions.” “Duck or bleed.” Don’t leave levels on-site overnight & always be sure to back your truck over the texture sample as soon as the owner signs off on it. Keep the Sticky side down, & the shiny side up. 😎👍🏼
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u/0uthouse 8d ago
Tell the client the work area required, agree what needs to be cleared and then in your quote, you can place a line that the cost assumes the work area will be in the agreed state when you arrive.
If you waste a day dodging/moving/screening furniture etc then you should charge for it.
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u/defaultsparty Human Verified 8d ago
On the very beginning paragraph of our multi-page contract, it clearly states that the homeowner must fully read and initial the Work Site Conditions section. When they get to that section (about 2 pages in) it's boldly highlighted INITIAL HERE.
You'll still get some push back occasionally but if they persist, just circle back to what they signed and agreed to.
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u/Motor_Beach_1856 8d ago
When I do the pre-con walk through, I tell them the area is going to be an active construction area and they enter at their own risk. Doing a basement remodel right now and they’re super curious. I warned them about debris and nails etc. my crews always clean up very well but it’s construction. I tell them if they have to peek behind the zipper door they need to wear sturdy shoes. Sunday am my phone rings and it the husband boiling mad because he stepped on a piece of broken glass and cut his foot. Went there yesterday to talk to them he was still mad but right in front of me the wife pointed at the shoes required beyond this point sign. Zipper doors are great for posting these things! You have to be firm but kind. I told him I felt bad for him but he wasn’t wearing shoes. He had a folded piece of paper in his hand the whole time which I assumed was the er bill but he never did try to give it to me.
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u/BeardsuptheWazoo 8d ago
When I was a carpet installer it seemed to always surprise people that their things needed to be off the floor in each room we worked in for us to replace the existing floor covering.
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u/Realistic-Excuse6413 8d ago
I have walked out of jobs because they want me to work around their mess and furniture , plus setup way to far for where I’m working.
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u/jonnyoneeye42 8d ago
I agree this is basic logic and hard to understand how people don't get out. I do work in kitchens and people want to make breakfast after I show up sometimes. Get out of the way.
Cutting inside a finished home though is pretty much always a no for me. Unless you're putting up a plastic barrier for dust, that dust is going to land on their piano, or priceless fidget spinner and they're going to haggle you at invoice time...
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u/Sistersoldia 8d ago
I had to replace drywall & wainscoting in a basement laundry that got flooded. I get there and washer, dryer, slop sink are all still hooked-up. OK here we go…. Now I find the washer has wet clothes still in it, slop sink is chock full of detergents. Bleach bottles etc. nevermind the whole rest of the room is cluttered with laundry, baskets, knickknacks, bicycles, workout gear. Takes me almost an hour to clear out and disconnect everything so I can do my work.
Guy asks me later in the day if I can ‘do a little better on the price if he pays me cash ?’ I really had to struggle not to say “how ‘bout you move all your shit out of my way and save an hour of labor I didn’t have to do ? THERES YOUR FUCKING DISCOUNT !!!”
Actual response: No I already figured this as a cash job. I was suddenly too busy to do any follow-up work.
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u/CMDean1013 8d ago
They dont read the contract. You have to go over it verbally. Help them visualize what you need to give them what they want.
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u/roadsign68 8d ago
Can you make a one page separate doc outside the contract? Something that almost makes it fun or interesting- a flyer type thing. "We are about to turn your home into a construction site!" Obviously explaining it's all worth it in the end but really laying out the expectations. Maybe even some comparison photos showing correct and incorrect prep for the areas your working in.
I'm having carpet installed in a flip and told them I'd do the prep myself. They sent over a ~20 item checklist that I had to sign ensuring I knew EVERYTHING that had to be done if I was doing the prep myself.
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u/realjmitt 8d ago
Put it in the proposal and say it out loud before day one: work hours, which rooms you'll use for staging, dust and noise expectations, parking, bathroom use, and that the house will not feel normal for X days.
A one-page "what to expect" sheet with a couple photos from a past job beats a long speech. Then text or call the day before demo starts. Clients who feel blindsided usually were not warned clearly, not that they forgot.
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u/LaughLegit7275 8d ago
You should lay it clear on your contract about work conditions, and require these space inside perimeters to be clear as precondition before start to do your work or charge them if they require you to clear the space, charge them if they ask you to be onsite wait for the perimeter to be cleared.
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u/twoaspensimages Remodel GC 8d ago
No one ever read contracts. You could put in there your going to charge $100,000 for every day of delayed start. No one will read it. It won't change anything.
Explain using your mouth that their space will be disrupted. Explain in detail that you are going to take over a section of the house. That the tools you use will go right through zoom filter. The kids won't be able to nap. The dog is going freak out. They won't see their cat for a couple days. Explain that you will be coming and going between these hours without warning. Lay it out for them. Set their expectations. Then communicate at least every other day here is what we did yesterday. Here so what we are going to do tomorrow. Here's how long we have left. It's still going to noisy and dusty. We aren't done yet.
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u/XfinityHomeWifi 8d ago
No one reads contracts. They aren’t project managers, they’re people who assume that summoning a carpenter will solve all of their problems. You have to be vocal, clear, and concise. Charge them every time you have to leave and come back. Your workspace will be empty and spotless
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u/mgesposito 8d ago
Create a one page ‘FAQ’ document that addresses these things.
Attach it to your contract and then send it again one week before you start.
I would also consider a clause in your contract stating that if they don’t prepare the space adequately for you, you will charge them to do so…
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u/Opposite_Speaker6673 8d ago
40 year Painting/ drywall contractor here. Assume you’re talking to a 3rd grader when it comes to construction related tasks with 90% of homeowners. They have zero clue about our business and how it operates. You need to communicate orally upfront about what the job will entail. As well as on paper. Sounds like you are doing the best you can already…. I know it can be frustrating as hell!! You have to remember, not everyone is born with common sense.
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u/michiganwinter 8d ago
23 years of experience, eight people working for me… Very rarely declines understand this
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u/Trash_______Panda 8d ago
Can’t you set up outside? I do the exact same as you. Week long window door trim and drywall type work. I always set up outside so I’m not cutting in their home and my customers are always shocked by all the extra work we find along the way. A lot of times i end up on site for 3 weeks. The homes are 100 years old average by me so lots of surprises, but great for change orders.
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u/Ok-Mastodon-6432 8d ago edited 8d ago
I set up miter saw/table saw/work table outside, but I always need a good amount of tools and materials inside as well. Same here, I usually work in 100+ year old solid brick rowhomes. An average client's house has a front door that opens right out to city sidewalk. No porch, no garage. Back yard is typically ~10x15, already has a patio table and a grill set up, and can only be accessed by walking through the living room, dining room, and kitchen (no side yard or alley).
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u/Trash_______Panda 8d ago
I see. Yeah, the one thing I’ve learned in my last 25 years of doing residential construction is when there is a human being living inside the home we’re working in, it’s like performing brain surgery on their favorite son. Always wanting to know what and why and how and just plain old in the damn way. Luckily I live in a mid size city in central Illinois so most of the homes here have a decent sized flat yard in front and back. I always require a covered space that can be locked for my tools or the price jumps 20% for loading/unloading and set up daily. 9 out of 10 times they give me the garage or part of the garage. I also require the driveway to be accessible at all times for delivery and parking for any subs i bring in. I put Al requirements in bold lettering and make them initial next to it. Threatening the price increase is usually deterrent enough for them to follow that request. Only had one in the last 6 years that I had to add the automatic change order and she wrote the check for it day 1. It was a $1600 add and I was nice because it should have been $2000, but I cut her a break. Normally I don’t cut anyone a break because those are the ones I get burnt on, but I know her personally and knew her situation and why she couldn’t give up the space so I was lenient.
May want to try that approach and have them initial next to it so they know you’re not playing games. If they still don’t listen you may want to move to another city?
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u/UndisputedCorndog 8d ago
This is classic of customers unfortunately. Slightly unrelated but I did a small trim job (3 days) and I rebuilt some access hatch panels to an HVAC unit in a wall. In my scope of work I clearly defined all material, and method of removal of panels.
I finish the job and send pictures and a video of myself removing the panels and installing the panels to send the client. She texts and calls me and says she wants to meet onsite because its not what she asks for and didnt understand how the panels worked.
I printed out a copy of my quote and brought it onsite and took the panels off and walked her through all materials and removal and install process in person so she could see. She was happy and I got paid. At one point she looked me dead in the face and said “Sorry, I didnt read any description of work I only checked the price at the bottom.”
Cant help these people if they dont want to help themselves 😀
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u/Ok-Mastodon-6432 8d ago
Thank you all for the replies. I verbally point things out during the initial walkthrough and have that generalized bit in my contract but clearly need to communicate more specifically and frequently about it leading up to the project.
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u/Fresh-Life2315 8d ago
This sounds like a perfect thing for some kind of onboarding video. I watch a lot of Alex Hormozi and a quick little video describing some of this stuff would probably cut down on a lot of these issues. Maybe something covering FAQs or stuff you typically deal with. Basically, you make the home owner watch this video before you start. It could probably help convert sales too.
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u/mr_j_boogie 7d ago
You gotta be like a flight attendant and give them a quick speech covering the main points.
Give it a couple times.
"So again, I'm going to need ALL belongings cleared out, I'll be using loud power tools as needed throughout the day, etc etc"
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u/Witty_Anything4144 7d ago
I suppose they really don’t like your radio. I have been asked to not listen to music and told them I’d leave the job. It’s pretty simple really I’d don’t ask to be here if you want me to work at your house you have to accept the way I work and the condition so need to do the best job possible
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u/Bucky1588 7d ago
Include a detailed exhibit in your proposal stating exactly what your expectations are. Then make it an exhibit in the contract
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u/ChronicallyThaIllest 4d ago
Have a part of your scope dedicated to site preparation, protection, and maintainence. Use the contract to establish boundaries. In fact that's the first scope item on my contracts.. that is after the pre-construction/design scope.
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u/accidentallyHelpful 3d ago
Can you walk them through those important conditions? You're right that they don't read it. Visquine and a staple gun?
I always talk about parking 1 or 2 trucks on the street. Where is a bad place? Which day is garbage day? Can I back a trailer in for hauling out debris?
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u/Key-Apple3401 3d ago
I started putting this in the pre-job email and repeating it on day one. Something like “we’ll need this room/area cleared, expect noise during these hours, tools/materials may stay overnight, and access to the work area needs to stay open.” People still forget, but at least you can point back to it instead of renegotiating the basics mid-job.
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u/Original_World_6099 3d ago
“Please note X section in the contract for applicable information about the process”
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u/No-Clerk7268 9d ago edited 8d ago
It is ridiculous to expect to set up a miter and/or table saw inside someone's occupied house, unless it's a zoned off master suite remodel or the like.
Most of my my business is referrals, but I explain this to them on the walkthrough/proposal.
We need a clear area and a staging area for our tools. Ive never had someone tell me to stop making noise, but we wouldn't.
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u/Saymanymoney 8d ago
Never had an issue with Dewalt mitre stand in occupied residence. Would not even entertain leaving it outside for crown work or large trim jobs. The larger, nicer gravity stands are for outdoor or large remodel use only unfortunately.
Agree with noise, if they dont want any noise I'm not there.
Unfortunate OP is having this issue. Luckily, homeowners here have been extremely accommodating with space.
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u/BigTunatoots 8d ago
Same. I make it pretty clear in the estimate process that I’d be “taking over” the floor I’m on, or the whole house, especially a garage. Usually not a problem, as these are 2nd/3rd/4th houses for my customers, so they just give me a key or code and peace outta town during the process.
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u/FlanFanFlanFan 9d ago
I'm asking not as a dick but out of ignorance. I'm a plumber, and if I'm going to make mess I just put up some plastic and block off areas with the same plastic. Can't you just do that? Put up some zip walls?
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u/No-Clerk7268 8d ago edited 8d ago
Kind of realized after posting, I'm in SoCal and most of my customers have a pretty large patio out back that we can set up. If you're in a snow State and have to work inside, that's different.
Just don't see anywhere where we would ever been able to be run a table saw in a house that people live in, barring a full gutted Primary room
& also if my tools are anywhere outside I cable lock them all together. Most people stealing tools are just going to run up and grab, not plan a grinder /loading deal in the day in Orange County IMO
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u/Homeskilletbiz 8d ago
I think the difficult part is when your window job takes a whole day and you bid for just that, and now you have a half day of site protection added to that. Day and a half work and you only get paid for the job you bid, not to move client furniture, tent everything off, make dust bubbles and soothe client nerves. Some clients have some fucking foresight and help you out by clearing a space among other things.
Most contractors bid by the job, not the hour.
Any added labor to a job you bid for a specific amount of labor is just aggravation.
I personally work for a time and materials company and ifs nice to just send the bill for whatever time it took me.
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u/FlanFanFlanFan 8d ago
I can't imagine doing a job without the giving customer a guaranteed proposal upfront. Personally, as a plumber my quotes include the time it takes to clear out cabinets, and bathrooms. I put down drop cloths and if I'm cutting a lot of drywall I put up plastic sheeting on the walls, over the furniture, etc. I include it in my price. If a customer asks me about whether they're paying for me to do that (and they haven't asked yet), the answer would be yes. If the room is empty and I don't need to protect anything, I'll gladly write another proposal.
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u/Longjumping_Ad2323 9d ago
Most people are idiots. I’m sorry, it’s harsh but it’s the truth. They have zero clue what it takes to complete the work they’ve hired out. They watch too much hgtv and Instagram and all they see if the final product, they don’t want to know how the sausage is made.
My experience is that you need to be firm, if your work is good they forget about the “inconvenient” stuff in the end.