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#1 |
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Trade: Remodeling Contractor
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Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
Hey guys,
To make a long story short, I'm in a position where I need to POLITELY turn down a job that I went to look at recently. I'd be taking over for another "contractor" who royally screwed things up. The problem is that the home owner has no interest in doing things the right way. He wants the job done cheap and fast and that's not what I do. I was referred to this guy by a good customer of mine and I don't really want to make a bad impression that will get back to my good customer. (Not to mention anyone else he talks to.) How would you tell this guy you don't want this job? Just say "I don't want it?" Thanks. Bob |
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#2 | |
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Trade: Organic Mold Farmer
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,858
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?Quote:
Honesty is almost always the best policy. And people will respect you for that and those that don't, well, why should you care about them anyway? Advertisement |
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#3 |
Member
Trade: Remodeling
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Location: Southern New Jersey
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
Why not just give him a price ( and timeframe ) to do the job the right way ? If he doesn't want to pay to have it done right then he'll say no and your out.
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#4 |
Working
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
The current budget is limiting this project, therefore I can not perform the required work to complete this project.
What "I" wouldn't do is blame them. Cole
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#5 |
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Trade: Roofer, Domains and Hosting
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Location: Richmond, Va.
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
That's what I do, and tell him I won't do less, nor supply lesser materials.
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Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va. |
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#6 |
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![]() Trade: General Contractor
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
The answer is simple.
Tell the potential customer that you can only do quality work, and with the limitations they have, you would not be able to take on the job....but, you would see if you could recommend someone possibly. Chances are good the potential customer will decide to do it right and take your proposal.
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#7 | |
Pro
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Luxemburg, WI
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?Quote:
I never had this happen before, but I don't know if I'd take this one for any amount of $ especially since I get the feeling that I'd have a hard time actually getting paid. |
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#8 |
Starving Tile Artist
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
You.. "I am very sorry, but I do not think that this project is suited to our company at this time. I would like for you to keep us in consideration for any possible projects that you may become interested in having a company such as mine perform in the future."
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"If you start the grout process over, you too could use sparkly grout!" There is no such thing as an illegal immigrant, they are either illegal or immigrants. I'm Retired, or a student, don't really know anymore. |
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#9 |
Remodeling GC
Trade: Remodeling General Contractor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Denver Colorado
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
"We feel that our company is not a good match for your project, thank you for your interest in our company and good luck with your project".
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#10 |
The Ultimate Wire Hider
Trade: A/V & Home Theater Installation
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
I usually say, "This job is a little bit beyond what I am able to handle." and if the HO keeps pressing the issue, explain to him that part of the reason why the other guy screwed up is because this is an older/newer/different type of situation that requires a great deal of expertise and the other guy probably wasn't humble enough to admit it.
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#11 |
Member
Trade: Residential Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 39
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
Tell him NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NA you cheap son of a %$#!! thats what you get
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#12 |
Pro
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Luxemburg, WI
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
Thanks for all the advice! Please keep it coming, I'll let you all know how it all works out
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#13 |
Pro
Trade: Trade work for money.
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
Just say "with all do respect", then have at 'em!!! Long as you say "with all do respect" you're in the clear to say whatever you want. It's in the Geneva convention if ya wanna look it up!
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#14 |
topsail's trimcat
Trade: finish Carpenter/ renovations
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Location: ns, canada
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
i had to walk from a contractor a few years ago because he wanted to do things "the cheap way" i worked for him for just over a year but within the first day i was noticing things being done which would guarentee a callback to fix things, i would question him on it. this continued to happen i got into time and time again. when i had an offer from a quality builder whom i now work for he stated " those types of companys are ok short term but you cant get ahead with them, youll be mad at yourself if you go there" .
![]() 3 years later im making much more money have a truck and unfortunately am becoming even more and more consumed with my tool buying addiction ![]() now when i get calls for jobs where they want to do things fast and cheap i simply tell them "sorry, as of right now im overbooked and things wont be slowing down for about 8 months, and we have bids going out left right and center. your best bet would be to check around elsewhere"
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#15 |
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Trade: Slate& Tile Roofing/Exterior Carpentry
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job? |
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#16 |
General Contractor
Trade: New Home Construction-Additions-Remodeling
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Location: NJ
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
Hello,
Thank you for contacting (company name). My sincere apology for not being able to help you with your remodeling needs at this time, we already have a few scheduled remodeling projects and I am not taking any extra work at this time. Again, thank you for your interest in (Company name). Please keep us in mind for any projects in the future. Sincerely
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I never lost a cent on the jobs I didn't get!
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#17 | |
The Ultimate Wire Hider
Trade: A/V & Home Theater Installation
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PG County MD
Posts: 4,455
Rewards Points: 2,116
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?Quote:
I would also go back to your "good customer" and tell him that this guy has unrealistic expectations. To save face I would say, "Mr. Good Customer, I appreciate the referral, but I don't think that this is going to work out well. His ideas on completing his project is not compatible with the way I do business and this just does not sit well with me. I would not like to enter a situation that will end up making all of us unhappy." |
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#18 |
Pro
Trade: builder/renovator,Squam Lake NH
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lakes Region, NH
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
I will always recommend my compation for jobs that I think the customer is not a good match that way while he is dealing with them I'm available for a customer that is a better match
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#19 |
Pro
Trade: General Contractor
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Indiana PA
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
I have one to look at later on this day that I think im turning down. Customer calls and wants me to look at a redo of a porch. Called HO back twice to setup a time to look at it. Doesnt answer and no voice mail on cell. I figure she would see the missed call.
She then calls me and leaves vm while im running chop saw. I called her back no answer. I finnaly get ahold of her and explain that i have tried calling her two days prior, but wouldnt even let me finish sentence. Still wants me to look at it. I try to always keep a good company look. I figure unless it is something decent i dont want it. I usually tell people that the project may be a little bit too much for me at this time. But to keep us in mind for future projects. I have made more money turning down PITA projects, then banging my head all over town.
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#20 |
Head Grunt
Trade: Electrical Contractor&Home Maintenance
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Creek, NY/Lower Adirondacks
Posts: 3,270
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Re: Best Way To Turn Down A Job?
Politely say No and refer them to a competitor that you have problems with. Let them deal with the BS and hack work, that is what competitors are for right?
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