Customer don't trust there honest contractor

5/25/2012 at 3:13:38 PM

Certainly not us as contractors, we spend a minimum of 1-2 hours per quote, plus fuel, basically non productive work.... BUT homeowners need to be confortable knowing the person they are speaking with will do the best job possible.

If it weren't for sales at the door, we would have no work to keep going.

Everyone takes their cars to the garage at their expense, because there is no other way.

I feel I can make the client feel that I will do what is right for their project, but then money comes into the question. Do they want the job done 100% to last or just to get it done? Most say to get it done, which is where 4-8 quotes for the same project from different contractors is just a waste of 3-7 peoples time and fuel. At the end of the day, there is where we (as electricians) can say we provide permits and inspections from the ESA to ensure their insurance will cover them in the event of an electrical fire. This is the only peace of mind we can supply, but even some homeowners don't care about inspections and permits. AND who is to say that the licensed contractor on that date isn't in a hurry and cuts corners???

Each individual is the only one responsible for their honest days work...

Electrilight

5/25/2012 at 3:32:23 PM

Well I think this woman just used all my info including my liability insurance at the back to get her loan and now playing the the paranoid person to get some one cheaper.

Could this be fraud?

5/25/2012 at 4:11:59 PM

Have you lost money or the job?

5/25/2012 at 4:28:08 PM

The job the way she was going. I told her to get someone else.she said ok and hung up.

5/27/2012 at 9:03:58 AM

Luckily you lost no money.

Electrilight Ltd.

5/27/2012 at 11:25:39 AM

Well we had the job. This is why the quote for all material and labour was sent to her bank. Being so slow right now we were counting on that income.

I feel like I was scamed and used just to approve her loan.

5/27/2012 at 11:54:55 AM

unfortunately, that is the risk we take to offer our professional advice and we have no control over the outcome. She may get the loan, hire someone half your price and pocket the rest. Don't take it personally, price more jobs and then if you get flooded, hire some help to get it done.

It is easier to refuse work, than find it sometimes.

Electrilight

5/27/2012 at 11:59:37 AM

thank you Robert for your advise.I have to learn to let thing go and move on.

5/27/2012 at 12:00:47 PM

Unfortunately, that is the risk we take to offer our professional advice and we have no control over the outcome. She may get the loan, hire someone half your price and pocket the rest.

Don't take it personally, price more jobs and then if you get flooded, hire some help to get it done.

It is easier to refuse work, than find it sometimes.

Electrilight

5/27/2012 at 12:02:11 PM

sorry for the double post, don't press the reload button on your browser!! :))

5/29/2012 at 8:23:50 PM

Thing is you don't book any thing else cause you have the job. Then poof you don't. What pays the bills when your out of savings. Now waiting for everyone else to want to start there projects. It's just so fraustrating.

5/29/2012 at 8:57:35 PM

Hi My name is Gabriel Certified Contractor and Inspector

Ya Its true we get shafted like that once in a while, I did a quote not long time a go for a extension on a house mat & Labour so he can go to the bank and get a loan so I can do the job, once he was accepted he invited friends and beer and he got it done but not the right way I'm sure and he made more money in his pocket. I think I will said free estimate if we get the job! if not we will send you a bill. LOL! I

Wish we would be rich just that way. thats our life I guess?

5/31/2012 at 9:55:59 PM

Hi, One thing I've learned over the years is to never count on a job until I'm actually there working and also never count on the payment going smoothly until the cheque actually clears from the bank. In saying that, I've only been screwed over once which was a few years ago for $300 so I cant complain. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself. HAHA!

6/1/2012 at 6:29:29 AM

What I generally do is charge 100.00. Alot of times if the estimate took a few min then I won't charge it either. But it is dilemma because so many people out there just ripping each other off make it harder for an honest contractor to make a living.

3/24/2013 at 8:36:47 PM

Yes, they're still worth it. It's part of the cost of doing business.