cheeky builder

[Spud]

Got a phone call from a builder I job for last year, at the time I did his job he promised me loads of tiling work and named the jobs he wanted to use me on, I did a really difficult job for an important client which won him 6 penthouses as the client was so pleased with what we had done cut a long storey short i didnt get any of the promised work but he has asked me to do another difficult job ,I asked him what tiles he was using and he said he didnt know as he had so much tiling work on that he was sure which tiles were going where,I couldnt help my self but I asked who was doing All his tiling work and he told me a mate of his does it cheaper than me but cant do the complicated job he has asked me to do ,I feel like telling him to go west and get his cheaper tiler to do it as I know I will just be given the sheet stuff his other tiler doesnt fancy what would you do ?:mad2:

 

[Del W]

Depends on if you need the work,but doesnt sound like a good contact to me.

 

[Mike Mike]

......

 

[Alan M]

i know its frustrating but think about it that knows you are better than the other fella . he wouldnt ask you if he didnt know you could do it properly.

and work is work . turning it down wont affect him but it will you . he willl get someone else to do it

 

[Spud]

Depends on if you need the work,but doesnt sound like a good contact to me.

I have enough work on Del and this clown is trying to chip me on price

 

[Del W]

I have enough work on Del and this clown is trying to chip me on price

Your price is your price when you have plenty of work.Tell him thanks but no thanks

 

[Perry]

Charge a preminum and say why

 

[White Room]

He's using you because you can do the difficult stuff, as said it's wether you need the work or can pass it by...

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Gary - We have the same dilemma - over the past 10 years or so a company across the road 'use' our services on and off at will. If I can't do the work on a Tuesday when he wants it done, he gets someone else.
But when he wants a stone job/his own house/an ex footballer etc we get the work. We still have to be competitive but as it adds up over a 12 month period and he pays on completion - so we do as much as we want, when he wants!
It's good to know you are respected for the work you do, and I think - it's another few days work.

 

[cam_low]

what is this #difficult job' that the other 'tiler' can't do ?

 

[Spud]

I take on board that he can use whoever he wants but he doesn't even ask me to price the easy stuff so how does he come to the conclusion that I am more expensive

 

[doug boardley]

for top price I'd do it Gary and maybe get some income back for what you may have booked in for him in the past that never transpired.

 

[Andy Allen]

think of a figure and double it...

 

[Spud]

what is this #difficult job' that the other 'tiler' can't do ?

60 x60 porcelain tile laid monolithically 80mm sand and cement bed bonded internally and unbonded with chicken wire outside all knocked up by hand as there is no room for cement mixer I will post some pictures of the first one I tiled.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I think I remember the pictures - nice view!
Good job.

 

[radim]

as TJ says - he wants you to do a job coz there is nobody who would manage to do it. Show him what a proper tiler can do!

 

[Spud]

here are a few pictures of the first one I tiled 13 floors up and we had to load out all the materials

 

[cam_low]

wow, what id give for some experience of this !!!

 

[MARBLE_TONY]

Take the job be patient. sounds like his mate will do a job one day mess it up then all the work will be yours because the builder will only have his pockets burnt once.

 

[charlie1]

I doubt I could knock the work back Gary! Turn the other cheek. If someone requires your expertise and is willing to pay accordingly then you should do it. What you charge is your choice! Very nice work BTW.

 

[Muse2k8]

If you don't take it someone else will. If he knows he can trust you with the big jobs he will call you back again and again. Besides some of us are struggling for work so don't be ungrateful

 

[Dan]

I'd take it on but make sure you charge well for it. I'd also mention that you're only charging said rate as it is quite a complex job (take the words out of his mouth for him haha) but say on easy work you would be more competitive and you'd like to price the odd job up that isn't so complex for him to see how you fair.

And then off the back of that try to find out how much 'his mate' is charging for the 'easy' jobs you price up. And see if you think you can match it or beat it a little and whether it's worth it. IF it's not worth it for you, you've lost nothing. If it's still working out profitable, perhaps consider doing it if he takes you up on your prices.

It's business at the end of the day so I'd try to gain as much of his as you can. Perhaps while biting the tongue the odd time while you're at it mind.

 

[tfs]

I dont htink there will be too many guys in your area that can do that job mate.

I would take him asking you as a compliment. At the same time I can totaly see where you are coming from as it would be nice for him to show some loyalty for hard work.

Business is business and I can see where he is coming from if he is saving money.

I would do the job if I was you. I wouldnt even entertain the though of discounting though as that is some old school tiling, you wont see any chancer making a success of a job like that. I have only ever done that at college with little quarry tiles but can imagine the work of doin a large area like that, double the work when you think of all the hand balling required up to a pent house.

PRICE ACCORDINGLY MATE!

Like i said, BUSINESS IS BUSINESS - as he has already demonstrated by using his mate rather than you to save some cash

good luck mate

and cracking work in those pics too

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

it sounds like he needs you ,and not the other-way round ,so bump the the price -up for him and let him know why, .
just a small observation gary ,the screed look's very sandy to me ,but i know it must be the the sand,as i know you would have used the right mix, so what mix did you use? great work by the way mate!

 

[marbleman]

Hi Gary . i love doing sand and cement work and when i do it i charge accordingly and i am happy with what i get paid , just keep do it die-ing art