[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?

 

[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!

 

[rselectric1]

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.

 

[loneframer]

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.

 

[Brickie]

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!

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

 

[oldfrt]

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!

 

[lukachuki]

Hey, at least it was a call!:thumbsup:

 

[Anderson]

perfectly done. It must have been a spy.

 

[piercekiltoff]

The caller, with an eastern european accent

A commie spy!

 

[Brickie]

A commie spy!

Exactly!:thumbsup:

 

[TheCleaningDoc]

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.

 

[4th generation]

He may be trying to sub it out

 

[lukachuki]

perfectly done. It must have been a spy.

and you forgot the codeword....


three fiddy

 

[skyhook]

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.

:laughing: