| Re: Duesday Chat 08.04.20 |
Subject: Re: Duesday Chat 08.04.20 by teebee on 2020/8/5 4:16:42 Evening guys, need to vent a bit. My latest job is for an older lady, who basically begged me to do this job (should have been my first tipoff). When I went over to look at what she wanted, she, kind of, bad mouthed other people (tipoff #2). But I was sure I could do this job and satisfy her. Then, while I was there, she insisted on "what I thought it would cost" and I told her how she didn't really want me to have to set a price, as I didn't know what all I was going to run into, but she wanted a price...so I hit her with a "cover my a$$" price and she almost went ballistic, "I had no idea it would be that much"... I was hoping it would be less than $XXXX. Then I tried to explain to her, how there were too many variables and if she was going to make me 'bid the job' that was it. I told her I really thought I could do the job in a couple days.... so she finally agreed to let me do it and not 'bid'. She also showed me an old, non functional, security system and wanted to know if I would take that out for her. and I said, "I know nothing about it and prefer not to mess with it." I gave her the number of the guy who owned the company who installed it (non defunct), but he still is doing security. I told her I could start on Monday....she said "Is that the earliest you can start?" (third tipoff) Yes, I have a couple other jobs I need to finish off. I called her Sunday to verify that I would be there 'tomorrow morning' and she started off the conversation with "Well, I've been waiting for you to call" (fourth tipoff) I told her I would be over at 9am, and her response was "No you won't, we don't get up and around that early...make it 10".... OK. I'll be bringing my GS with me aand we will be there at 10." "Well, OK". About ten minutes later she calls me back and says, "You said you were bringing your grandson, has he been running around and exposed to Covid? I heard that there was a bunch of boys partying and now one of them has tested positive" I assured her he hadn't been 'partying' with those boys. (fifth tipoff) So we were there at 10 sharp and started the modifications to the cabinetry as discussed. And she just hovers over us the entire time, instructing me on how it should be done...and "OH, that guy came over and took out thatt security system, but now there are big holes in the wall. Will you fix that sheetrock?" I looked and told her I'd have to cut it out and replace it. And she proceeded to tell me how it should be done. (sixth tipoff). And she kept talking about how SHE wanted to do 'this and that' to save some money. Despite all her hovering and 'help' we got the hardest part of the modification done by noon. Now it was time to start putting things back together. When we came back from lunch she, more or less stayed away. She did come in and start nit picking about the way the countertop fit against the cabinet, insinuating I did something to make it fit bad (a nice even 1/16" gap between them and I was very pleased with the fit) and are you going to fix that? The counter top was a big item of contention in my pricing...I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to save it, but I, extremely, carefully, removed it without damage. I assured her that it didn't fit any better than that originally, but that they had caulked that seam and I would do the same. then she started in on the floor "It's very expensive...I hope it cleans up alright" It's a vinyl floor, and it had dust on it from my cutting on the cabinets. so before we left I sweeped it all up and took a wet paper towel and wiped it clean, to assure it would 'clean up'. We had to go back to the shop to modify some doors, but we got the cabinet modifications done by quitting time. I was tickled to have gotten as far as we did, considering the late start and all the 'help' I told her we'd be back at 10 in the morning. This morning we loaded up the tools and we headed over to the storage shed to pick up my sheetrock scrap, tools and mud to do the sheetrock repair. We pulled up to the house at 10:03 and she was standing there with a disgruntled look, "you're late", "Sorry, we had to go pick up the materials to repair the sheetrock." So we wnt in and she started pointing out all these little nicks and scratches on the cabinets "I don't remember those being there" "UH, yes, those all were there, I've tried to cover most of them with the matching stain. (Actually covered up many that were there, but some just wouldn't cover) I fixed the sheetrock and taped it and put the first coat of mud (and it looked way better than I anticipated). We got most everything done...the exception being two things I couldn't account for Backsplash and sheetrock repair (That I didn't know I was doing until I got there Monday). When we left to go back to the shop to work on the backsplash covering and eat lunch. Over the lunch time I was letting glue dry on the backsplash so I could install it. So at 1:15 we are heading back and she calls me "Well, what are you doing? Are you comong back?" Yes we are were working on the backsplash and are headed back rigght now. So we finish up fitting the backsplash and she says "I thought you were going to paint that before you put it in." OK, I thought you were going to paint it 'to save money'. " No I want you to paint it" "OK" So I remove it and tell her I have a dental appointment in the morning and won't be back until tomorrow afternoon. "So you NOT going to finish this up TODAY?" UH. "No. I have to paint the backsplash. I think it needs at least two coats and the sheetrock mud has to dry overnight and I can't finish that until tomorrow. "Well, you said it was going to take two days" At this point I just said "I'll be back tomorrow" and left. At noon I almost told her "Here are my hours, pay me what you owe me and find someone else to finish it"...but I started the job...I'll finish it and chalk this up to experience. Sorry for the long winded story, but just needed to blow off some steam. |
