My mate and i went to do a job on the Isle of Wight about 30 years ago. We had about 50 chalets to fit in a holiday camp, the job wasn,t anything like it should have been,the carpet was second hand foam backed and folded up etc, so we got the next ferry back!
a fair few, normally because i know that the job will go wrong. Things like wooden floors been fitted on damp floors etc. Also get alot of conservatories that the builder has skimmed the floor and its blowing and the customer cant see why i want to uplift the screed and start again!
All the time, I normally loose interest when the client says "it's only a little job, it won't take you long".
Thats a classic!!!! Where is the incentive. Had a call the other week from one of the United carpet shops wanting lots of fitting plates (Cheap) I Said to him, so you want me to reduce my margin give you and account and increase my risk................ Please remind me why I want too..... He could not see it.
I had an email enquiry, "Hi I'm looking for a cheap carpet fitter". I replied saying Sorry I couldn't help because the location was a bit off my radar , the lady replied saying I would be hearing from her solicitors about our false advertising! After a few years in the trade you do get a built in numpty detector, I think she got over it as I haven't heard anything more.
When you go to do a measure/Quote. And see the job Do you tell the client there and then your refusing the work and the reasons why?
I don't think theres ever a reason to refuse a job on initial visit to quote etc. any problem can be overcome, just takes time and money if you don't have the time and they don't have the money then.........
I find it's generally worth a look at least, unless you have had previous dealings and found the customer problematic. We have a couple of customers now that if they come back in to the shop we will not place any orders until they pay for the goods up front and in full. As Matt says sometimes you feel like you're banging your head off the wall trying to explain why you need to strip back and start from scratch. In fairness to a lot of customers, we all know there are a lot of would-be fitters out there that can leave a bad impression in unsuspecting customers mouths and you then find you're damned by association. It sometimes just takes a bit of clear explaining as to why your process and price will work better for them. Bottom line I really don't like turning any business away!
Worse one was years ago , had a small housing estate in Runcorn to do. Builders put in some new toilets and wanted me to patch up (tile) where missing. First one went to it was like something from trainspotting, the bathroom and bog was horrendous . Basically said no chance mate and went home. Would of caught a multitude of diseases .
