Should have charged... - Page 2 - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

NolaTigaBait · 04-29-2009, 07:25 PM

480, i know you don't discuss prices....but what is your policy on this?

bobelectric · 04-29-2009, 07:36 PM

I don't get it. Is watching T.V. more important than takiing care of customers?

NolaTigaBait · 04-29-2009, 07:57 PM

no, but sitting in the arena during the game and not being able to call out til after was

NolaTigaBait · 04-29-2009, 07:58 PM

oh, and she didn't return home til around 430

480sparky · 04-29-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NolaTigaBait

480, i know you don't discuss prices....but what is your policy on this?

No more than 5% down. And that only applies to new customers.... those who I work with on a regular basis enjoy zero down if they've proven themselves.

Any more, and I look like a shyster.

seo · 04-29-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NolaTigaBait

thanks you for this well thought out constructive answer...DUH...thats pretty obvious now...I've made this mistake many times....What do you do?..this wasn't an estimate initially though it turned out to be...It was a service call....
Do you guys charge for estimates, then say you'll take it off the price if you get the job?

I didn't give this answer to critique you. I recommend always taking checks or money when offered thru my own experiences. I've been in business for 35 years and I made a lot of mistakes and I still make mistakes but one mistake that I'll never make again is not taking money when offered for services rendered or down payments for jobs. Seems that those people that offer to pay you and you turn them down until later that later never comes or is really late. I do give free estimates but not free service calls. Also it's important to find out if the person calling for a service call will be the one paying the bill. Many times renters will call for service work and the owner will not authorize the work and guess what who gets struck?

220/221 · 04-29-2009, 08:34 PM

Consider it tuition.

Next time tell them that the service charge of $xx will come off the invoice.

Black4Truck · 04-29-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

Good luck with that.... in most places, you'll starve to death if you always demand half up front.

I agree 100% with that. Biggest problem with contractors is they get a deposit and POOF.. they never come back. You will do more damage by asking for money up front

NolaTigaBait · 04-29-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220/221

Consider it tuition.

Next time tell them that the service charge of $xx will come off the invoice.

yeah, it seems like this is the way to go... no surprises...i 've been schooled...it won't happen again

480sparky · 04-29-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black4Truck

I agree 100% with that. Biggest problem with contractors is they get a deposit and POOF.. they never come back. You will do more damage by asking for money up front

A real contractor will come back and do the job.

A scam artist will never be heard from again.

That is why everyone who talks and writes about consumers dealing with those in the construction industry will repeat "Never pay any money up front. Never." Asking for 50% up front will send a whole parade of red flags up to just about anyone with a pulse.

NolaTigaBait · 04-29-2009, 08:40 PM

ya know, the thing that pissed me off the most was the lack of respect for my time. To tell me what i asked for($75) was ridiculous and out of line-its like getting slapped in the face, typical real estate agent...

Black4Truck · 04-29-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

A real contractor will come back and do the job.

A scam artist will never be heard from again.

That is why everyone who talks and writes about consumers dealing with those in the construction industry will repeat "Never pay any money up front. Never." Asking for 50% up front will send a whole parade of red flags up to just about anyone with a pulse.

How does a perfect strange tell a real contractor from a scam artist??

There is no sure way, so you NEVER give money upfront

Black4Truck · 04-29-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NolaTigaBait

ya know, the thing that pissed me off the most was the lack of respect for my time. To tell me what i asked for($75) was ridiculous and out of line-its like getting slapped in the face, typical real estate agent...

That is only because you asked for money AFTER you found the problem

NolaTigaBait · 04-29-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black4Truck

How does a perfect strange tell a real contractor from a scam artist??

There is no sure way, so you NEVER give money upfront

5% upfont from a new customer doesn't raise a red flag with me...thats just a show of good faith...its a fine line to walk, without pissing teh customer off

NolaTigaBait · 04-29-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black4Truck

That is only because you asked for money AFTER you found the problem

yeah, i know, it's my fault...i guess since i run a business, i have more respect for peoples time

480sparky · 04-29-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black4Truck

How does a perfect strange tell a real contractor from a scam artist??

There is no sure way, so you NEVER give money upfront

I disagree:

Ask the contractor for full documentation. This will include:

- Contractor's License & Registration Number
- Proof of Liability Insurance covering property damage and personal claims
- Proof of Bond Coverage for total replacement cost of project
- Proof of Worker's Compensation Insurance for employees
- Call your state's agency having jurisdiction over contractor's license registration to verify the contractor is currently licensed as required by your state's law.
- Ask the contractor for a resume. This will include:

Legal name, street address, city, zip code, phone number
Number of years in contracting business, education, and training
Financial stability of business and relationship to Your Bank
Credit standing with suppliers and terms of payment
References of previous customers with jobs similar to yours.

If you can, visit the contractor's current site to see if the contractor:

- Maintains a stable and reliable crew
- Performs their craft in a skillful and professional manner
- Provides adequate site supervision
- Cooperates well with other trades
- Offers fair prices and remains cost conscious
- Uses material efficiently & effectively
- Keeps site clean and safe
- Ask the current client of the contractor these questions:
- Does the contractor begin/end on schedule?
- Is the crew adequate for size and scope of work?
- Does the work successfully pass inspections?
- How responsive is the contractor to problems?
- Is the contractor readily available by voice mail, beeper, or email?
Be sure to ask the contractor for a copy of the standard contract for your review.
- Never sign a blank, standard contract.
- Check the contract for terms on these issues:
- - Total Contract Price & Terms of Payment
  - Change Order practices
  - Reference to Drawings and Specifications
  - Responsibility for Permit Application & Inspection Schedule
  - Project Start Date & Completion Date
  - Contractor's Mark-up on Labor & Materials
  - Conflict Resolution & Termination
  - Use of Lien Release or Dual-Signee Check

seo · 04-29-2009, 08:54 PM

Is this post about hiring contractors or about contractors getting paid? If I were to hire a contractor 480sparkys post is excellent.

Black4Truck · 04-29-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

I disagree:

Ask the contractor for full documentation. This will include:

- Contractor's License & Registration Number
- Proof of Liability Insurance covering property damage and personal claims
- Proof of Bond Coverage for total replacement cost of project
- Proof of Worker's Compensation Insurance for employees
- Call your state's agency having jurisdiction over contractor's license registration to verify the contractor is currently licensed as required by your state's law.
- Ask the contractor for a resume. This will include:

Legal name, street address, city, zip code, phone number
Number of years in contracting business, education, and training
Financial stability of business and relationship to Your Bank
Credit standing with suppliers and terms of payment
References of previous customers with jobs similar to yours.

If you can, visit the contractor's current site to see if the contractor:

- Maintains a stable and reliable crew
- Performs their craft in a skillful and professional manner
- Provides adequate site supervision
- Cooperates well with other trades
- Offers fair prices and remains cost conscious
- Uses material efficiently & effectively
- Keeps site clean and safe
- Ask the current client of the contractor these questions:
- Does the contractor begin/end on schedule?
- Is the crew adequate for size and scope of work?
- Does the work successfully pass inspections?
- How responsive is the contractor to problems?
- Is the contractor readily available by voice mail, beeper, or email?
Be sure to ask the contractor for a copy of the standard contract for your review.
- Never sign a blank, standard contract.
- Check the contract for terms on these issues:
- - Total Contract Price & Terms of Payment
  - Change Order practices
  - Reference to Drawings and Specifications
  - Responsibility for Permit Application & Inspection Schedule
  - Project Start Date & Completion Date
  - Contractor's Mark-up on Labor & Materials
  - Conflict Resolution & Termination
  - Use of Lien Release or Dual-Signee Check

YES.. you have covered all the bases and your list is 99% fool proof. In the real world, most people wont do half the things on your list. That is just how things go.....