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10-23-2009, 08:12 PM
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#1
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Pro
Trade:
Masonry, Hardscapes, Demo/Rehab/PP
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicagoland & NW Indiana
Posts: 753
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Got a weird call today....
On my way home today after booking a nice repair project I got a weird call.
The caller, with an eastern european accent, wanted to know what we charged per square foot for tuck pointing work.
Me: We don't charge by the square foot. What is it that you need tuck pointed?
caller: I have a house that needs some spot tuck pointing, about 2300 square feet. I need to know what you charge per square ft.
me: Sir, we charge by the job, not per square ft. We give free estimates. I'd be happy to come and take a look at your project & give you an estimate. Where is the project located?
caller: Look, I'm a bricklayer contractor & know how things work. You already know what your basic costs are for this type of work. What's a ballpark price for tuck pointing 2300 sq ft?
me: You're a contractor & you know how things work??? Really?? Then why are you on my phone???
caller: click 
Has this happened to any of you guys?
__________________
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
Ronald Reagan
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10-23-2009, 08:21 PM
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#2
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Pro
Trade:
Licensed Electrical Contractor and Remodeler
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 711
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IMO, the caller was either an inexperienced hack who got a lead, or works for someone else and got an opportunity to do a side job but has no idea what his company charges people for work.
You handled it perfectly!
__________________
220...221...whatever it takes!
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10-23-2009, 08:27 PM
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#3
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Pro
Trade:
Licensed Electrical Contractor and Remodeler
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 711
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BTW yes, I have gotten calls like this.
Another thought is that it is a start-up, going through the steps recommended by the business plan gurus which is mainly-investigate your competition.
__________________
220...221...whatever it takes!
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10-23-2009, 08:31 PM
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#4
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---
Trade:
residential framing/general carpentry
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Southern New Jersey
Posts: 3,600
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I have had builders ask me to commit to a square foot number for framing. 
I tell them my price ranges from $5 to $35 per sq. ft. and if your project is more involved than the $35 sq. ft. job, the cost will be higher. I'll be happy to look at the plan and iron out a solid number for you.
They usually say "well, what's your average for x y z?"
My reply, "somewhere in between."
There are too many variables in what I do to offer tract home pricing. Custom framing comes with custom pricing. I can't compete with tract home framers, nor do I want to.
__________________
" It's a Jersey thing, you wouldn't understand" 
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10-23-2009, 08:50 PM
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#5
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Pro
Trade:
Masonry, Hardscapes, Demo/Rehab/PP
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicagoland & NW Indiana
Posts: 753
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rselectric1
IMO, the caller was either an inexperienced hack who got a lead, or works for someone else and got an opportunity to do a side job but has no idea what his company charges people for work.
You handled it perfectly!
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I think you're right. Judging from the background noise that i could hear, it sounded like he was working on something. He probably got in way over his head & is freaking out
__________________
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
Ronald Reagan
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10-23-2009, 09:16 PM
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#6
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Pro
Trade:
Remodeling
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northwest Connecticut
Posts: 1,136
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Yea,
One thread I was reading about CR prompted me to explore my area listings.
Someone wanting Vinyl siding and gutters installed.
He stated the amount of squares on the house,asking for costs.
Just in case he was a new "contractor" looking for the going rate,I gave him a couple price with a $5000 range between them,depending on accessories and other variables.
Told him I'd have to see it and talk specifics before any actual costs could be quoted.
I have never responded to any of these ads,but out of curiosity,I wrote back.
Never know,it sounded legit,but there wasn't enough info to zero in a bid.
In his request he stated,bidders must be licensed and insured,so maybe he isn't one of the "noted" CR bargain hunters,and wants a good job done legally!
__________________
There is no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of furnished data.Information gathered here may be for the sole purpose of entertainment.
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10-23-2009, 09:39 PM
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#7
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Propheshunal
Trade:
Customer Education & Development
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Aiken SC
Posts: 682
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Hey, at least it was a call! 
__________________
Tim
Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the night. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. - Terry Prachett
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10-23-2009, 09:46 PM
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#8
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Member
Trade:
Home improvement contractor
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Wilton,CT
Posts: 78
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perfectly done. It must have been a spy.
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10-23-2009, 10:05 PM
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#9
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13 Licenses & Counting
Trade:
Water well drilling & pumps
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brickie
The caller, with an eastern european accent
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A commie spy!
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10-23-2009, 10:11 PM
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#10
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Pro
Trade:
Masonry, Hardscapes, Demo/Rehab/PP
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicagoland & NW Indiana
Posts: 753
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Quote:
Originally Posted by piercekiltoff
A commie spy!
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Exactly!
__________________
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
Ronald Reagan
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10-23-2009, 10:52 PM
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#11
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New Guy
Trade:
Exterior Building Cleaning
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 21
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WOW he said he was a brick layer contractor and was calling you for pricing? If he was a brick layer he would know how long it took. I'm not a builder and even I know that much.
__________________
The Cleaning Doctor Pat Motz 931-933-5421
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10-23-2009, 10:58 PM
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#12
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Member
Trade:
Masonry
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 38
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He may be trying to sub it out
__________________
4th gen
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10-23-2009, 11:01 PM
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#13
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Propheshunal
Trade:
Customer Education & Development
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Aiken SC
Posts: 682
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anderson
perfectly done. It must have been a spy.
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and you forgot the codeword....
three fiddy
__________________
Tim
Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the night. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. - Terry Prachett
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10-24-2009, 01:15 AM
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#14
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Super B
Trade:
General Contractor Lic. since 1984
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,903
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brickie
On my way home today after booking a nice repair project I got a weird call.
The caller, with an eastern european accent, wanted to know what we charged per square foot for tuck pointing work.
Me: We don't charge by the square foot. What is it that you need tuck pointed?
caller: I have a house that needs some spot tuck pointing, about 2300 square feet. I need to know what you charge per square ft.
me: Sir, we charge by the job, not per square ft. We give free estimates. I'd be happy to come and take a look at your project & give you an estimate. Where is the project located?
caller: Look, I'm a bricklayer contractor & know how things work. You already know what your basic costs are for this type of work. What's a ballpark price for tuck pointing 2300 sq ft?
me: You're a contractor & you know how things work??? Really?? Then why are you on my phone???
caller: click
Has this happened to any of you guys? |
Not lately.
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