Good Homeowners Stories?

AbeBarker

Few months ago I was asked in for a beer. While drinking it was abruptly demanded to escort the HO out into the yard and "back him up" while he yelled threats at his neihbor about... (One more time motherf__kah, just one phone call) An alleged mafia threat.

I stayed out of it. Later I learned the reason for his actions were as pathetic as they come.

And later yet they bragged to me how they dug up one of the guy's bushes in the middle of the night.


I could go on and on about things that happened at this job. I later named them the "Pyschotic Scicilians"

Dave Mac

GreAT TOPIC

about 15 or so years ago, when i just went out on my own, i handed out flyers, landed a very nice interior job, really under bid it, but that didnt mattter i was proud and busted my butt, the client were very happy, and gave me a 500 bonus, said that was the differnce between my estimat and the other guy, that made my year.I have painted for them for years after that, until i moved to another town. the guy was a retired buisness man, andnew what it was like just startting out.

thanks
dave mac

Stone Mountain

Some years ago
I met with a customer for a deck. I designed and priced it, but in the end he gave the job to someone else.
A few weeks later, I got a cheque in the mail for $50.00. The note said "thanks for the design. Here's a little tip for you. The other guys did a lousy job. Next time I'll use you. Thanks."
And he did!


I've had many good customers over the years. More good than bad, otherwise I would have done something else years ago.

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reef

Coffee and muffins every morning, cold beers for everyone when finished, then a **** load of referrals.

Thewoodman

Reading these posts give me hope that there are good customers out there. I want the Harley Davidson customer. That was way cool.

Mark

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skyhook

Last year on a big job, everytime the HO came around she asked if I needed another check yet. The Dr. I'm working for now always rounds up the draw, today he rounded it up by 760.

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woodmagman

I don’t think most customers realize that we don’t hold back 10% of our service; they just get an additional 10% by being nice.

AtlanticWBConst

Nothing thrilling: 1/2 way thru an addition job, HO handed me and our lead framer $50.00 restaurant gift cards. Tells us he's very, very happy with the way the work is going and how everything is coming out.

Not real unique, but alot of HO's don't even tell you your doing a good job...

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- Build Well -

KentWhitten

OK, I know I have everyone beat on this one (well, except maybe the harley). And you probably will not believe it because it is such a whopper. I tell it over and over.

Throughout the years, you all have been told "oh we'll have a housewarming party and we'll invite you over" uh huh sure. But this time.......

I was given the opportunity to remodel a beach house. owners were very well off, not gigantic rich, but damn rich nonetheless. He was a businessman that had good connections and did favors for people. He hands me a package one day, about the size of a dress shirt box (which is what I thought it was going to be). He said take it home and open it with your family.

Whatever, I threw it on the floor in my truck cab with empties and garbage pretty much. Next day he's like "so???" what? I said. "you didn't open it?" he seemed a little ticked off LOL. OK, OK, I'll go home tonight and open it. So me, the missus, 4 kids (yes 4) and my parents were there and I opened the box.

Inside was a paper and at the top was a little picture of Minnie Mouse. As I read the letter, my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe it. I had to leave the room. I handed the page to my wife. All expenses paid trip to Disney World. Airplane tickets, hotel room, hopper pass, transportation all paid for. And to boot, he gave everyone in our family each a $500 gift certificate to Old Navy to buy new clothes for the trip. And to top the whole thing off, $2500 in cash to spend as we like on the trip.

To this day I have a hard time telling this story. It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me ever. I cry like a baby telling it. Just boggles my mind. All because he was happy and ecstatic I was helping him and his family realize their dream of a beach house in Maine.

You better believe I did a damn good job on his house.

boman47k

So maybe it is a good thing you did a good job!

wackman

Wow! I hope I have some customers like that some day.

karma_carpentry

Same thing happened to me a few years ago when I was starting out on my own. I way underbid a bathroom remodel job, but I plugged away and finished it with quality, and they gave me $500 bonus. Those kind of people are angels. Hope to never need that kind of angels again but they're angels.

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Build on a good foundation.

AtlanticWBConst

Yep,...I think you're gonna have one of the best on this thread...and IMO - the best one that I have read about here....WOW....

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- Build Well -

laybrick

I've gotten a couple to a few 100s in bonuses, some compensation for bid mistakes or miscommunications. got old tools from customers grandfather,great uncle, etc. I did a citadel stone veneer & fancy retaining wall for a HO (about a month). He would have lunch delivered every other day and on the weekend, his mother would make lunch (almost a buffet) and a full course meal at the end of the day. she was insulted if you refused, so we were always full. All week, his wife would keep a full pitcher of an iced beverage and cups on the porch . At the end of the job, my mixxer motor started to puke. Last day , he pays me , then goes down in his basement & brings up a new 5hp briggs he was gonna put on his snow blower. Thought that was pretty cool, till I read this thread. Then I thought to myself, I CAN'T PUT THAT ON A F#$KIN' HARLEY!!! j/k It was cool as hell. You EARN customers like that by going out of your way to do an exceptional job. The best free-bee you can get from a customer is a good referral toward more work. I did several jobs for his co-workers & family after that. The same guy is gonna GC a house for a co-worker with 2000 sq. ft of stone & retaining walls& steps in stages to get up the hill that it's on. While fast production gets fast money, pride in workmanship keeps a continuous flow of work & money.

hrscammisa

did a bath remodel and tile job lasted about 3 weeks the wife made us lunch every day it was great