Hey does anybody use a contract of any sort For really big jobs?
Or something that you have people sign before starting just for protection. For instance we did a job in a community that we have been doing a lot of work in and havent had an unhappy customer in till this one lady that said we faded the paint on her trim.But in our defense her house was in bad need of painting we only cleaned the roof that's all she wanted but she had mold all over the hose paint bubbling up bad. Couldn't believe it. She almost didn't pay us at all but she did end up shorting us on the bill. We explained to her what work was done before us as far as the shity paint job we couldn't help what happened but she still said it was our fault.I ended up just taking the loss but don't want that to happen again what to do.I always explain to people very specifically the process and anything that is obviously caused by us we will take care of. But I know how are stuff works and when we do our job and the persons house is not neglected it always turns out great without a problem. Not sure how to word something for them to sign without scaring them.
If anything the mix would have cleaned and brightened the old paint job. If she shorted you alot its worth fighting for. If it wasn't much it may not be worth fighting over because you don't want this old lady bad mouthing your services in her neighborhood.
Howdy Everybody, been here just haven't had the energy to post let alone sit reading the posts. Yes, it's a battle, one day I win some then the next it takes it back with a vengance. That is not why I decided to post to this thread, it appears that a member is in need of help, maybe I can be of assistance. Many members have commented and even posted copies of the contracts on the forum (Ugly shingles). But, however, or whatever word you may want to use is the same a caveat emptor (buyer beware) change it to read (contractor beware).
Things to use (digital cameras) a picture cannot lie(date & time) give them a copy have them sign it) along with a statement of work to be performed, test areas to the house(where runoff may happen (water the area until you feel water logged) wash, wash, wash again then again. I know this is all a PITA, think it through, how would you screw a contractor if he didn't do certain things that you wanted to do, you knew needed to be done (i.e. repaint) replant an dead bush. It's all in here on the forum how all of us have been hosed(no pun intended) at one tome or another.
After all this one may say, look at my equipment, my uniforms etc, etc. I am professional and I won't, don't need to chase a (simple) home owner over just cleaning his roof, we shook hands for the work and I will get paid, yeah right, then in steps the wife or husband who was not involved in the initial scope of work and the crap hits the fan, it can be as simple as replanting a dead dried bush that is rock hard to a complete repaint job on the house, for something you and they saw before work was started but not pointed out.
Guess, what I'm trying to say is CYA, (cover your azz) an extra 2 or 3 minutes on a quote can save you from bad press. 1 happy customer will tell the 10 closest friends he has, 1 unhappy customer will put it on you-tube and you screwed from the get go. If your right your still wrong..
Sorry this got off track, need to go get my meds an chemo, if I can think later, I'll post more.
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Fred Winters Home Maintenance Services 941.628.9558