What to do when job falls through

[kendo1]

I was meant to start a bathroom refit on Monday as arranged with the customer. So I phoned up to check that everything was ready and find out when to turn up. The customer informs me that she went ahead and got it done by the bathroom supplier last week.
I had put off other work to fit her in so I was a wee bit upset.
Ah well!
The wife isn't happy as there are bills to pay.
So, I've contacted some previous customers to see if there is anything needing done.
Luckily for me there is a bathroom (that was fitted by the builders 15 years ago) where two walls need replaced. The grout and silicon both failed and the plaster board needs replaced. *rubs hands together*
Another customer needs her hall painted- six doors, skirting, new bath panel, taps repaired, wooden window ledges rubbed down and sealed, shelves put up. *rubs hands together again*
Another customer needs his hall, kitchen and main bathroom painted, shelving in kitchen cupboard, new bath panel. He also needs a new consumer unit- I'll phone an electrician mate of mine I always use, I'm sure he'll appreciate a wee bit of work.

The only unfortunate thing is I won't have any time off for the next few weeks.

Hey ho. I'm looking forward to the next bathroom refit.

Ken

 

[doug boardley]

unfortunately kendo it comes with the dubious "joys" of being self employed, just one of those things that happen I'm afraid.

 

[White Room]

As Doug really, nothing you can do but suffers fools lightly...

 

[kilty55]

i have been in your situation a few times kendo,i now take deposits upfront that are relevant to the job as soon as the customer says they want to go ahead...no one goes in the diary without it,so far no one has cancelled and i feel it has worked for me this method

 

[Stewart]

Deposits for me too and has to be done when booking a few months in advance, as you you have the potential of turning down a lot of work for the slots you have filled.....


Created on iPad.....

 

[CJ]

Happened to me..............so I came home fuming, and sat on this thing and sent them every holiday/Mail order cat I could.

Pure bloody ignorance to not even have the decency to let you know.

 

[Alan M]

happened to me on a job a few months back. i ordered all the stuff and was about to start when he told me he was mooving house and didnt want it done at all. he inherited the house so that wasnt the issue but he should have told me a week earlier as i was waiting for material to come in and a few door to be special ordered. he took some of the stuff off me and i took the rest back but i got caught for the special ordered doors. i used them later but i wont be caught like that again

 

[jay]

It happens move on :8:

 

[widler]

it happens,what they don't seem to get is if we rang and said 'sorry i can't come for another week or 2' they would go ape,but they don't think like that

 

[Mike]

i had it a while back too, i phoned the customer to say i'd start on the following monday but nobody was in so i left a message on the answerphone. i had a text 5 minutes later saying thank you very much for your help but work has now commenced :mad2:

 

[Peter]

Can be very annoying. Does no harm to have a few jobs in limbo, in that the job's ready to go and tiles are sitting there but the person is in no rush for a month. Usually fills in any unexpected gaps.

 

[kendo1]

Can be very annoying. Does no harm to have a few jobs in limbo, in that the job's ready to go and tiles are sitting there but the person is in no rush for a month. Usually fills in any unexpected gaps.

That's what I try to do. A few good jobs coming up.

 

[Mike]

if you have some notice it helps but getting let down the night before makes it difficult

 

[bluesky]

non refundable deposit to at least cover materials and couple of days .then a %age on start day and then balance within 7 days of completion .all on proper paperwork stating it all for them to see. also send out booking form with spaces for deposit amount , 7 day notice of rights to cancel form ,waiver of right to cancel form .advised to do this by trading standards officer who i worked for(consumer act law ?) . if you dont give these forms and start work within 7 days without the right paperwork apparently they can not pay legally because you didnt give then 7 days to change their mind !!!

 

[Muse2k8]

With my terms and conditions that either wouldn't happen or they would still be liable for the full bill

 

[kendo1]

I'm too easy going. I've done three bathrooms for her brother with another one to do. She's talking about getting her kitchen done, but I'll not hold my breath. She's a lawyer btw.

How many lawyers does it take to tile a roof?

Depends how thinly you slice them.