Scenario:
You provide a previous bid for someone and all and then they chose someone else for the job. Six months later they call you for recommendations on other work they want done that you know you won’t be part of. (plumbing, electrical, etc) How helpful are you?
I always help as I refer my subs and figure they can use the work. There is never money in it for me as it will be just an electrical or plumbing service call say $100-150 but I like to make sure my subs always have work.
Other guys say I am nuts and even my wife thinks I give away too much sometimes as honestly, these good deeds haven’t ever really paid me back in some 20 years.
Or do you do it just for Karma???
Replies
Mike - you are too nice. But its obvious to me the real loser is the guy who didn't hire you when he could have!
Now next time listen to your wife!
If you have built a network of people that are reliable workers you should get something.
What happens if you recomend someone and they the customer isn't happy?
Do you make it right? Subs can change over time or have a bad day.
If the customer calls you and wants something there should be something in it for you. Maybe not all the time or most of the time.
Just the fact that you posted this means you should change something.
Will Rogers
Edited 9/17/2009 10:43 am by popawheelie
"There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."Will Rogers
I hate it when that happens.
has it occured to you yet not to pee on the fence???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
Id always heard it improves sex drive .
so does using a jack hammer, but how much sex drive does a guy need anyways?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
How many times has it happened?"There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."Will Rogers
Once was enough for me .
If it was a small (100-150) size job, I'd be very helpful. I'd say: "Our firm provides those services. I'll be glad to send out the techs to get you fixed up. Our rates are "blah, blah, blah with a minimum base service charge of $250 which includes 1/2 hour of labor. Each additional charge is billed in 15 minute increments. When would you like to schedule this work?"
You should have an exact number for each trade based on his rates to you. You probably should double his number, then add the base rate.
Things are different today. For a number of years, I used to install kitchen displays at a couple of local cabinet distributors. They would often recommend me if a customer needed an installer. Word came down from the corporate headquarters that the company could be held liable if something went wrong with a recommended installer, plumber, etc. The same thing happened with some lumber yards and salespeople that would give my name from time to time.
A few years ago, I recommended a plumber to an individual I knew. He was building a new house, I had nothing to do with it. I had worked with this plumber for years and had built dozens of homes with him. He was not only good in his trade but very efficient, on time and reasonable, too. Completely out of character, this job had multiple leaks when the water went on. Hardwood floors and ceilings were ruined. It ended up in a nasty law suit. Things probably could have been fixed and chalked up as a lesson but this customer went nuts, wasn't amenable to a fix and wanted to put the plumber in his place.
Things can go the other way, too. You recommend a sub and then the customer doesn't pay. Either way, you end up loosing credibility and it could be worse. The subs I know don't need any help finding work, often just the opposite. We all welcome a slow down now and then just so we can do a little something for ourselves. There are plenty of ways to get into a bad situation these days, I try not to put my neck out there. If I bid a job and lost it, no way I'm going to be Mr. nice guy, I already did my part.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Completely out of character, this job had multiple leaks when the water went on. Hardwood floors and ceilings were ruined.
How could that have happened? How can drywall and wood floors get ruined during plumbing pressure tests in a new house? The sysytem should pass inspection and tests prior to cover.
Edited 9/17/2009 12:00 pm ET by McMark
The sysytem should pass inspection and tests prior to cover.
And the pressure test should be done with compressed air, and a guage.
Here we have to test with water on both supply and drain sides
Nonetheless, I'd do a leak down test with air first.
Thats how it works around here also.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Thanks for the input guys. Unfortunately Florida law prevents me from doing these jobs as a contractor (i.e. plumbing, roofing, etc) so the idea of ME offering the services is impossible. Thats not to say guys don't do it but I am not willing to take the risk. WOrking out of your scope is a big issue here.
I could get invloved in the job but if the plumber gets $150 to put in a water heater, how much more is he really going to be able to charge so I can get a cut and still get the job. And if I have to ride out to the house 2 or 3 times to make $50 its not really worth it.
You probably won't believe it but, there are areas across the U.S. that don't require any test on the water and sewer systems. Of course the plumber that doesn't check his work is BRAINDEAD!
"If all else fails, read the directions"
I refer the subs I use for these type of small and medium repairs. However, I wouldn't give the info to a client that shucked me for someone else.
The subs do have a memory-and I usually call them in advance of the customer calling. I word the headsup in a way they know I'm not making diddley on the referal..........always inferring (as us Italians know) the "owed" favor .............A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I had nothing to do with the job so I don't know details. It may have been a fitting or connection to a faucet that let go. I heard it was more than one leak but that's all I know. Fixtures are not installed when a test is done. There are numerous ways a plumbing connection can fail. All of us can make mistakes, too. I just got the "your plumber ruined my house" from the owner, "I thought you said he was good" routine. Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Or do you do it just for Karma???>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Don't believe in Karma.
I have done the same without any reguard to Karma. My fealing is, being nice doesn't hurt, and maybe they will remember next time!!
I wouldn't refer my subs under the conditions you described. That's a potentially slippery slope for you and for the subs.
If that client gave the job that you bid on to someone else, why aren't they calling on that contractor for referals?
I recall a similar potential client who wanted a referal for a backhoe owner/operator. I told him to look in the yellow pages because everyone I knew was busy.
He begged me for a name so I gave him a number for one local guy who I'd worked with once, who seemed sober and capable. I told the client that he should stay on site during the entire time the backhoe was there, to make sure that the job was done to his satisfaction.
A few days later I got a call from the guy saying that the backhoe operator had come and gone when he wasn't there, collecting his check from the wife, and left the site in less than the desired condition. He said that it was my fault, yada yada yada, that I must have gotten a kickback, yada yada yada.
Lesson learned: Referals are inside information which should be guarded except for close friends and family members. All others should be money makers for me.
Like Jim said...tell 'em that work is right up your alley, give 'em a rate and ask them when they'd like to schedule the job.
Edited 9/17/2009 1:06 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
I wouldn't send that kind of client to a sub with whom you have an ongoing working relationship.
Just tell them you only provide referrals for clients whom you've actually done work for and can vouch for. Tell them your subcontractor relationships are too important.
Edited 9/17/2009 3:59 pm ET by CStanford