Turning Down Work!

mjay

Help with turning down of work.
Brief background: After numerous consults with HO, he's adamant about doing it his way. HO not interested in the best practices regards painting his exterior. Tried using paint rep from local supplier to persuade customer regards best practices, didn't check paint reps background and he was a pushover when faced with customer [me thinks he didn't care as long as he got to sell the paint.]
So, I'm walking away from a contract and want to leave a professional, positive image.

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works4me

Yeah that's tough to not make it personal to where he doesn't feel offended about it. Don't know all the details but if you can't do it the way it is stated in your contract, I would tell him you have to refigure you proposal and add 20-30% - mostly because you don't want it and he seems like a PITA. Maybe he will then try to find someone cheaper. Or politely inform him you have certain standards for your work to be performed the way you know best and would not feel right doing something below that standard (he might understand this since it seams you already went around the ring a few time with him about it). Yeah, it is hard to tell a customer it is my way or the highway sort of thing, because then even if they hire you now to do it your way they probably won't be happy with thte finished product in their own mind anyway. Turns out to be a LOSE-LOSE situation if you end up with the job and do it their way or your way. Good Luck.

Mike Finley

-don't.

mjay

Here's what I have:

Dear Mr ----------
Thank you for the opportunity to bid on the exterior renovations, and painting of your home.
After careful consideration I have determined that the approach is not compatible with the work
practices of -------------.
It is with regret that I must to decline the works offered.
We wish you luck in finding a suitable contractor.

Kind Regards

It not a money issue, it's a quality issue. HO has "educated" himself in the best practices for painting cedar, 12 years later he has tannin stains, and filler failure at every butt joint. Yet, he wants us to follow the same practices

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There's some top class people on this forum,........and then there's me...Touching cloth.

Mike Finley

---

taper71

I'll agree with Mike there. 12 years is pretty professional IMO, maybe you should listen to what he has to say. I know I am good at my trade, but that does not mean I am the best or its my way or the highway. It is because of people like on these forums and actual fact finding through trial and error -either mine or someone elses - that you get better and grow.

Second Look

It IS a little risky to warranty work where you aren't reasonably sure how it will turn out. Can you turn him down based on not being able to warranty the work? Can you write a contract that states the work is being done without warranty?

Either way could cover you, and the second option may still get you the job.

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slickshift

"...the approach you have outlined..."

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

mjay

If I follow HO [and your?] instructions likely to see re-occurrence of stains and further joint failure within ?? years.
It's a gamble: Do you gamble with your reputation?

It's not my way or the highway, but before we set of on this journey you have to persuade me your maps are more accurate than mine.

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mjay

thanks like the addition!

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There's some top class people on this forum,........and then there's me...Touching cloth.

mjay

Reputation is everything, it bites to turn down work. However, do it right and sleep soundly is my mantra.

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taper71

I guess I do gamble with my reputation , because when I decline jobs because of HOs wanting me to do something that I'am not familliar with or dead set against, I can come off as being pasive agressive.
On exterior how long do you think paint or stain should last? I mean we are talking rain, snow, sleet , smog, dust, wind,blazing heat, and whatever else the world can throw at it in your neck of the woods. I' m not trying to be rude, I'm just trying to understand how long you think paint or stain withstands the elements. I 'am not a professional painter so I do not know. Truly if you do not want the job , you did outline a good letter of declining it.

mjay

Anybody here got better and grew because of listening to a HO on how to do their job?

I'm all for listening to HO when it comes to feedback regards customer service, quality, image and approach. However, I've yet to meet a HO that can tell me more about the preparations involved, and application of paint.
I listen to the experts, people whose profession it is to research and test products and procedures, people with years of acquired knowledge.

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mjay

Better to read the painting forums for that type of info, don't wish to sidetrack this thread more than it is already.
I'll PM you details.

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mjay

No, mate that's being straight up and honest.
Passive Aggressive would be: Accepting the work, but not adhering to the agreement, e.g. Yes we will use the Blue lid product, then switching lids inside the truck cause you didn't have the balls to say "No, the green lid product is better in this situation and I'd rather not do the work than compromise the quality."

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There's some top class people on this forum,........and then there's me...Touching cloth.

slickshift

Never

Actually, thats not true...I learned not to do that anymore

Not that I don't appreciate and listen, but it's usually the other way around about procedure
I've got to re-educate them....or not...and walk
The only times I've been hosed is when I went against my gut...and often that was following an H/O outlined procedure preference
Hey, sometimes it went OK...
But it bit me in the arse enough that I just don't do it anymore...that's what I learned from following customer suggestions as to how to the technical aspect of my job
Don't

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr