I really dislike having to have contracts signed or deposits given but now days it’s needed. I kinda go by how I’m feeling with a customer lol. 90% of my jobs are on a hand shake but those days are slowly fading lol
Trust your gut. I remember being a kid riding along with my dad on estimates and having bad feelings about potential customers. Most of the time I was right. But when you commit to a client, treat them like family and there is no looking back until the contract work is completed. Good advice! Thanks for sharing.
$700 is very reasonable for excavation in my opinion, especially for a deposit. I have my own construction company and have deposits more than double that price all the time. Also wanted to say thank you for making all your videos. You inspired me to keep going at my business when it was just starting. Finally getting some traction this year.
Love the bush hogging conversation. I’ve learned the same lessons in my small tractor work business. Last year I got bit twice when spidy senses should have told me to walk away. In one case I actually refunded a guy’s money plus some just to get him to leave me alone. I know that wasn’t the right way out of it, but I was mad at myself for letting him get that far and my punishment for myself was to eat it and walk away after most of the work was done. I’m pickier now in walking away from people if anything isn’t right. Thanks for another good one!
One of your early videos was if you could make money bush hogging. You gave a detailed break down of costs etc... Would be nice if you did a similar video on you dirt work jobs.
Good way to end the conversation and take the deal off the table. I can see the text if it went over the minimum.....but you said the downpayment was half the total. Good job steering clear of that headache.
What’s up with making deposits non refundable? So if a customer agrees to a price…they get on the schedule…and something happens, before the contractor has any material or labor invested, the contractor can simply pocket the down payment? That’s not right.
The reason is most customers don’t want to wait more than six weeks for a contractor to get to a project. So say for instance a customer gives us the go ahead on a project that will take two months. As customers call and I tell them I am out that far and they don’t want to wait there will be no work to fill that time. There have been many times that I refunded deposits when it’s understandable circumstances. But finding someone cheaper doesn’t qualify.
@@DigginLife21 ….i get that. It’s a risk on your part…but you’re in business, it’s a risk. I’m really not trying to pick an argument…but I don’t see how you can justify taking someone’s money and return no substantive service, part, or material in exchange? All the best to you young man. I wish you were close to Jonesborough TN! I have work for you! 🙂
Alright Todd, if you are haggling over price before the work is done, you know whats gonna happen when you finish, the old I didn`t agree to that, probably smart not taking the job. That healthy breakfast really helped with starting that fire.
Nice. I am doing my own land clearing and stump pulling. I believe I can get a hit fire easily started using pine needle luff. That stuff burns quick and hot.
It’s nice once you get to a point where you can do the work you want to do and not chase the money! The best part of my day sometimes is going to estimate a project and knowing from experience that I’m either not going to give the client a number for whatever reason (feeling) or that I’m going to charge for the inconvenience
Looking better every time you work on the project. The pond looks amazing and you would not have thought you would have grass in only a couple days. I hope you don't have any more issues with the pond and can move on.
I feel that its a 2 way street....nothing against your business methods but sometimes contractors don't show up either and now the customer got to take them to court etc. It is tough dealing with people BUT you got to do what's best for your business. On the other hand like you said....maybe they won't pay at the end either. Great vid and its nice hearing someone be real. PS: they probably found out after shopping around others wanted a deposit as well and you were cheaper as well....good for you.
You made a good decision on cancelling the brush hog job. Your senses are spot on. I was a contractor for more than 35 years and I saw the same thing in those emails. I believe you could have had $1400 of aggravation. Maybe everything would have went Okay, you never know. Always trust your gut feelings.
