Tell them no problem and schedule a meeting. Hand them your invoice to date with a refund cheque for the balance and they can see if jumping to another contractor is still "cheaper".
Agreed. No options, just give them back their deposit minus expenses.
This is a good time to put a profit loss clause in your contract. This clause states that if they breach the contract you are due all profit to made on the job.
Also this is when I use Holmes as a good example to customers. All that I ask is if they have seen the show. If they say yes, I ask how often did the cheapest contractor work out.
I have a customer who has signed a contract for a large remodel project. After putting money down, their son found another contractor who will do the job cheaper. They are 5 days passed the rescission time period. My lawyer says I can hold them to the contract. I have already paid out for overhead on this project, and I've been burnt this way before. Any advice?
If the job was properly sold, there should be no subsequent shopping and no "buyers remorse".
Look inward, Grasshopper.
greg24k said:Option #1: Listen to your Lawyer, they Breached the contracts. Hold the whole deposit and let them out, just make sure they release the deposit to you in writing... If not sue them for Breach Of Contract, you entitled to make a profit, because you already have a contract.
Option #2: Be a nice guy and give back the deposit, maybe they will give you more work in the future because you a nice guy, or refer you to a friend... while the other guy makes the money you entitled too :no:
I like to be the "nice guy". although Greg's rough on the edges, he makes a good point. It's business!
I would meet with them, after all costs and jobs' lost expenses were factored in, and explain to them your losses. Then, or maybe before, ask to see the other contract and explain to them why you are more.
Personally, I am green on my own and sometimes need the cash flow to work for people like this. I know my knowledge isn't much.
Bottom line: how much do you need that job (beyond expenses...)?
There exist many reasons simply to tally up the expenses and give the remainder of the deposit back to a customer. "I want to hire someone else, cheaper, after the 3-day period" isn't one of them, in my opinion.
There's no reason to have a fight about it; it's only about the money, and being reasonable people who obviously understand the value of a dollar, they're simply waiting for your attorney to tell them the amount of the payment necessary for you to release them from their contractual obligations.
It's nothing personal, and don't offer them any reasons to take it personally.
Edit: I'm not sure I properly conveyed my point, which is that you should play hardball, but nicely.
Please explain what would be some reasons to "tally up the expenses and give the remainder of the deposit back to a customer."Robert is on the dime.
Play hardball, but nicely. You are working to make money.
It still amazes me that people have these issues with clients. I think buyers remorse is a direct effect of poorly managed expectations..
Please explain what would be some reasons to "tally up the expenses and give the remainder of the deposit back to a customer."....