Replies

1. 
   Wolvie | Mar 21, 2002 11:32pm | #1

   Since I don't do residential, I can't offer much info to you, other than if it increases your costs (screws up other projects, interferes with materials purchase $$, etc), you should pass those increases on to the owner.

   I defer to Mike Smith on this one - he's the remodel guy!

   Woe to the cook whose sauce has no sting
   - Chaucer

1. 
   AaronSpies | Mar 21, 2002 11:37pm | #2

   true, it does screw up my costs.  Big time, as I don't think I can find something else to fit in the spot.  Feel like I should get to keep the 10%..... reschedule with another 10% for a whole new date.  Is that fair?  10%=$900

   Thanks for responding.

   Aaron

1. 
   Wolvie | Mar 21, 2002 11:44pm | #3

   To my way of thinking, it is a reasonable request. Not sure how you wrote up your contract, nor the laws about such things where you are.

   Good luck!Woe to the cook whose sauce has no sting- Chaucer

2. 
   roucru | Mar 22, 2002 03:51pm | #4

   Schedule them for the next available time that you have.  Aug.? Sept.?  Save the deposit until then. Do you have any "backburner" work. Next time in the contract have some specification if they delay start time the penalty should be_________.

   Tamara

3. 
   TommyB12 | Mar 22, 2002 08:29pm | #5

   Thank you for posting this aaron.  I'm not sure this has happened to me before either.  More often than not you can't get there soon enough for people. 

   I usually take 3-5% as a non refundable scheduling deposit.   But I have never had to take it.   I'm thinking I need to review my contract in this area.

   10% of a months work cancelled a few weeks before seems more than fair to me.  I would try to move something else up and shift things around to accomodate them.  It would be rare that I couldn't find something to start earlier.

   I guess its a two way street though.  I'm not sure I would be willing to pay a penalty if I asked the customer to push the start date back anywhere up to two weeks.

   I'm thinking along the lines of if the project is cancelled less than one month prior to the contract start date, keep the full deposit,  rescheduling more than two weeks from start date would require something like half of that.  Two months as in your case I guess would be cancelling and new contract.

   Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

   Tom

1. 
   AaronSpies | Mar 23, 2002 02:54am | #6

   In terms of filling the hole.  So far so good. 

   I will hold the deposit until the new start date.  If I am unable to find new work, or move back-burner stuff up, I will keep the deposit.

   Now all I need is a way to say that to the homeowner.  I don't want them on my back.  Calling everyday to ask if I have found new work.  On the other hand, I don't feel justified in just taking their money.  I would feel like a jerk if it worked out for me in the end.  On the other hand, I would feel hungry if I was out of work for a few weeks. 

   As I said up top.  So far so good.

   Aaron

1. 
   AaronSpies | Mar 27, 2002 04:47am | #7

   well, the hole is now more than full, and seems to be spilling out into summer.

   They don't lose a cent.  Neither do I.  So far everyone is happy!

   back to the fray!

   Aaron

1. 
   bobl | Mar 27, 2002 04:36pm | #8

   Happy endings are good

   How volitile are your material prices?boblVolo Non Voleo  9Joe's cheat sheet

1. 
   AaronSpies | Mar 28, 2002 02:13am | #9

   bobl-

   I gave them a bid on labor alone.  I had thought of that as well.  Had the materials been included in the bid, we would have renegotiated.

   Thanks for your concern.

   A