I Need Some Opinions On How I Should Handle A Job

Dorman Painting

Four weeks ago I contracted to paint a basement that had just been finished. The deal was that I would paint the walls, trim and ceilings and I would buy the material.

The home owner told me before I started that they hadn't picked out their wall colors yet. They agreed to let me start caulking and painting the trim. I finished painting the trim over three weeks ago. The problem is that they still haven't picked out wall colors yet. There's an interior decorator that is helping them pick out their colors, which is probably part of the problem IMO.

My schedule has been screwed up for the past three weeks because of their inability to choose colors. I've had to juggle different jobs around while still trying to keep an opening for this job. I'm contemplating wether or not I should raise my original price because I planned on having this job done well before right now. I haven't heard from them in over two weeks and I feel like they're disrespecting my schedule and my business. How would you all handle a situation such as this? These are very wealthy people too.

ProWallGuy

Since there was no stipulation for this scenario to start with, I wouldn't feel comfortable in adding any $$$ on. But, chalk this up to a learning experience, and protect yourself against it in the future. Right now, if I was you I would do something like this. Send a certified latter stating color must be picked/work resumed by (this Friday, begining of next week, etc), or you will be pulling completely off the job, and moving on to the next one. You, the customer, will at that time be at the mercy of my schedule, and I will return as soon as my schedule allows it. You will also owe me $*** as a remobilization fee, payable before any work will resume.
Etc etc etc. Here is a snip from my contract. It doesn't cover specifically 'color issues', but the bold line pretty much covers all that crap.

2. If the Contractor shows up on the agreed upon date at the agreed upon time, and is unable to complete the contracted work due to circumstances beyond our control (such as Inability to enter the worksite; Other contractors being late with their portion of the job; Manufacturing defects with the wallcovering we are to install; Not enough wallcovering due to a short shipment or someone else's estimate; Or any other reason not directly the fault of the Contractor, a $175.00 minimum charge shall apply. If the job is partially completed, another appointment for completion shall also bear a minimum $175.00 charge. This charge may be avoided by giving CONFIRMED notice at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. 'CONFIRMED' notice shall be understood to be either a live conversation with the Contractor or a return message from the Contractor if you left a message.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

KellyPainting

Wow, I like that stipulation... I just revamped my contracts and thought I thought of everything..thanks...

And back to your problem.... I go along with him on not adding any money because you didn't prepare for this.... It's never happened to me yet... glad I read this before huh... But I would definately go along with whatever comes up ... jobwise and let them wait for you.. say two weeks or so... you never know it could be a money issue also.... people gamble.. things happen...someone could have lost there job... it could be something else.. go on with your life.. chalk it up , and if they call they wait!

phdptg

I agree with Kelly. We are currently doing a garage floor which we did the small garage first & now we are waiting on them to clear out the large garage. We sent them a bill for work already completed & will reschedule when they are ready.
This is someone that we have done work for in the past so they understand that we stay booked up for usually 2 to 3 months