How To Avoid Future Standoffs-WWYD?

Brickie

I just received another referral from a previous client. The previous two referrals were great. Unfortunately, this new guy gives me the impression that he's a PITA. He works at the same law firm as my previous client.

Background: The guy has a Victorian home that needs a lot of masonry restoration work. It is located right across the state line in a small village in neighboring Illinois.

Here's the impasse: The guy stated that he won't sign any contract from any masonry contractor that's not licensed in his village. I explained to him that I'm bonded & insured with plenty of good references. I would like to possibly do business with him, however, the terms in my proposal are what they are. Basically he has to sign, put down a deposit per my payment terms and I would get the license and pull a permit for the work. He asked me to think about some of the changes he wants & to get back to him.

The way I see it is that I don't have a signed contact. Therefore, I'm not wasting my time taking off of work, running to my insurance company, the courthouse, the village hall and shelling out $300+ in fees(not counting money lost taking off work.

Has anything like this happened to any of you guys out there? If so, WWYD?

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dubz

What changes? It sounds like the real issue is he is looking for you to lower your price.

Brickie

He wants me to get the license first. He also wants some changes to the payment terms.

__________________
“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

Mike Finley

Write them in as contingent to the contract being valid. Have the contract say something along the lines of you have 10 days or something to produce the license or the contract is void and you have to return the money. If he's totally anal tell him to put the deposit money in an escrow companies hands.

Lawyers are tough to get past the contract stage, after that they seem to relax and turn out to be decent customers. Most just look at the contract as some sort of challenge to them. They always have some sort of problem just signing it without trying to exert their super lawyer skills over it in some way or another.

SLSTech

If the money is good enough, you don't forsee any probs getting the licenses & the client is not a PITA - I would just simply add a line about if Contractor is unable to get appropriate license said deposit will be returned

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mahlere

why do you say that? is that always your 1st response? to lower price?

ChainsawCharlie

Rule #1:

Don't work for attorneys.

dubz

That's why i said it. ^


No, it's definitely not my first reaction to lower my price when asked, if anything I get offended and bounce.

Brickie

Yes, it is


Not a problem at all. It'll cost a little over $300 in fees

I agree. The guy that gave me this last referral is one of the senior partners of the firm. I did a lot of work at his country estate. I did a bunch of work on some of his rental properties. I even did some foundation repair work at the lawfirm itself.


I like those ideas.

__________________
“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

Wolfgang

WWJWD. What would John Wayne do?

Vince_B

I'd base my response on how large of an area this license covers. What are the chances of you getting other jobs in this area? How long is the license good for?

If it's a tiny area that you don't normally work in, I'd just explain to him that this is a revenue producing "tax" that his village levies on work done in his area. No matter who he hires he is going to have to pay the $300 and the job is going to start after he accepts the proposal. The license(tax) is going to be secured after he contracts with you or likely anyone else he hires.

If he doesn't go for it I'd say, "Give it some thought and call me if you want the work done".

J-Peffer

Is the license the only thing that is holding you back from getting the job?

Is the $300 fee for the license compensated for in the bid?

Just tell him you have no problem complying with his terms if you are guaranteed the work. Let him change simple things in your contract and thank him for bring the "mistakes" to your attention. Build his ego and let him become your best referral ever.

skyhook

Think of your contract as null and void.
Think of yourself doing this job and paying for it out of your own pocket.
Think of yourself paying him the amount of the contract after the work is done.

Combine the above, that is how it will go down.
Still want the job? Good luck.

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dirt diggler

i agree 100% here.

one of perhaps my all-time best/fav clients was an attorney. I was scared to death of them

they do, in general, look at the contract as a way to exert their knowledge.

I know many contractors who are JUST AS BAD when it comes to finding ways to exert their knowledge.

but that particular client - really - once the contract was signed became awesome. In fact, we became really good friends after the job was over and I actually never did anymore work for them because they were in the "friends" category (I won't work for family or friends).

I have gotten more from their friendship than I ever did (financially speaking) from that one job - or any more work I could have done.


But they'd sue the pants off me in a heart beat if something went wrong. They were sharp. Even gave me free lessons on writing contracts (i.e. language, etc).



Honestly, the only people I've ever had a problem with were business owners.

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Thanks in advance!!!

Brickie

The 1 year license is for that small village only. The bond covers the county, but would have to pay additional fees to obtain license in any other village or town that requires licensing in that county.




A signed contract is holding me back from getting the license. I don't want to spend over $300 for a job that I may not get. I prefer to use other peoples money to pay for stuff for their job.


All fees including licensing, permits, etc., are included in my bid.

__________________
“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

Chris Johnson

I'd go with the clause in the contract for you to produce the license within 10 days or contract is void and deposit is refunded.

Come on, this guy should feel comfortable with you, you were referred to him and he should understand your not wanting a village license without a project to do in the village.

That clause is a win-win for both of you.

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Chris

DBBII

The last time I worked in a different STATE, we had to register with the Secretary of State's office as well. We needed a registered agent in the state (we are a corporation) also. This cost us at least another $500. If we didn't have all this paperwork in place, we would not have lien rights.

Brickie

You would figure he would, unfortunately he doesn't, nor do I feel comfortable with him.

I spoke with him a couple of hours ago. I ran the clause suggested above, he didn't go for it. He said that other contractors had no problem producing a license from the village. I kept my cool with this anal basstid. I just told him that I am not going to get a license in a village that I don't have a project in. I thanked him for the opportunity to quote and wished him well on his project.

__________________
“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

72chevy4x4

this guy has friends and if you're confident he's going to sign, get the license first. I would definetly find out the additional terms and then speak face to face explaining that you'll pull the license first but want the customers assurance that everything is good. I wouldn't jump through the hoops if the guy is still considering the contract...that's an open door to shopping time.

Leo G

Right out your contract and state in plain bold language that their is a $300 licensing fee and there is a $300 non refundable deposit.

You probably don't need that job anyway. I don't think this guy is worth it. Just trouble waiting to happen.

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