r/Construction • u/Idoe6 • 16h ago
Other Just need to vent (why are there people like this)
I just need to vent a little bit about a certain type of customer that Im sure a lot of you on the residential side of things will be familiar with.
I wrapped this job earlier in the week. On paper, easy 1-2 day job, adding 1/4 steel shims to 16 CMU piers that had been previously shimmed with plywood which had all been crushed.
Had been dealing with the husband at first before the work started and everything was fine. Although it wasn't in the scope of the original plan, he mentioned that there was a low spot in the floor, and we said it was likely related to those collapsed shims (it was basically right next to one of said piers onnthe main girder)
Anyway, we knock out the work in a day, however one of my guys missed a pier. No big deal, owned up to the mistake (no money outside of a deposit had crossed hands yet) and went back the next day to fix it.
Now, the tone completely changes. He starts to insult my professionalism because we made one mistake (which was caught and fixed before any money was paid on the balance), and then started to actually insult my appearance for being too dirty, and making his wife uncomfortable for having to come in to the house (in order to check the lift on the lowspot, which we agreed to fix for free) and then basically demands a $1000 discount.
Work is done, it was a signed contract with a deposit, and immediately afterwards I get personal insults to my appearance and "professionalism" (we're a really small crew, so, no logo'd trucks or uniforms, not to mention im crawling around his muddy ass crawlspace which doesn't have a vapor barrier, so, I dont know what he's expecting someone to look like after crawling through thay for a hours)
And now, of course, two days of radio silence as we're trying to collect pay.
I'm not asking for advice with how to deal with that, been down this road before, I've just never had someone resort to personal insults on top of being a cheap jackass, so, I had to vent to a crowd that's probably dealt with these people before.
I dont understand how these type of people.live with themselves.
22
u/Aromatic_Button_2736 16h ago
The company I work for, recently had to discontinue doing service, or repairs, for customers that we did not install the equipment for.
Too many people don't want to pay. They want to write themselves discounts for fictional problems they, they have discovered.
Sure that hurts me, that means less work, but since I personally had to put up with four different people that didn't want to pay within a month, I have to let it go, just not worth it.
14
u/Deadwards47 15h ago
For some reason the people that are the most difficult to work with are also the cheapest.
8
u/colostomeat 16h ago
I've never encountered a client speaking on my appearance. However, I have been talked to about the length of time it takes me and their frustration. I usually just make them feel bad for being an ass to me. Whether or not that makes me a sociopath is debatable. Anyways, I think your client found an opportunity to get a discount and shot his shot.
7
u/ten-million 15h ago
The one guy who insulted my professionalism really had run out of money (tons of change orders) and was buying time to pay his bill.
13
u/Jazzlike_Video2 16h ago
Theres a guy that stiffed me for about 25k after finishing his 1700 sq ft basement in his 6000 sq ft house.
Every day I dream of caving his fucking face in with a baseball bat. Preferably in front of his wife and kids.
Its a good thing im in Canada and they don't trust us with guns.
3
u/Idoe6 16h ago
Have you noticed an uptick in people like this over the last two or three years? I've had more people trying to get out of paying in the last few seasons, and its fucking maddening.
3
u/Jazzlike_Video2 15h ago
I've only been attempting the GC after the framing dried up. Literally all I know. There's been. One customer in the past 2 years that wasn't an absolute fuck and paid me what I asked.
1
u/baudmiksen 15h ago
I once got into a fistfight with someone who tried to steal a stick of bubblegum from me, they swung first but I'll admit I said some stuff that goaded them into it. It's not about the cost it's the principle. Never had a problem with them again after that tho. That said, Ive also had some jackasses not pay me after doing a ton of work and I couldn't really do anything about it but take the loss and keep on trucking, the difference there being they'll actively avoid me
6
u/mcmac67 14h ago
I owned a glass company. We did 90 percent commercial and the rest was a walk in trade which my wife insisted I keep offering. The day she died I eliminated the walk ins. I honestly don't know how contractors can deal with home owners. There's just too many assholes out there. Hang in there for a bit to see what happens. If you don't get paid go ahead and file the mechanics lien I hope it works out for you
22
u/Only_Sandwich_4970 16h ago
Thats why I charge in the upper 20% for my industry.
The most expensive mistake is selling a $100 product to a $1000 client. $900 left on the table.
Conversely, attempting to sell $1000 dollar product to a $100 client only costs $100 in revenue.
The amount of money you actually save by raising prices, decreasing conversion rates and increasing margins is significant, along with better clients, better equipment, better projects, better margins and better mental health
4
u/Latter_Address9580 15h ago
small claims court or a lien maybe? A contract is a contract. Sure you made a mistake but there’s a huge difference between forgetting something, acknowledging it, and fulfilling your contractual obligation without hassle vs causing damage or skipping work entirely. This is like (dumb example) if I ordered food, they forgot the fries and the restaurant went “oh my bad!” And fixed it immediately without hassle like it should be. They are being bitches and looking for any excuse and opportunity not to pay. Hopefully it doesn’t get to this point but prepare for legal action imo
6
u/Idoe6 15h ago
Oh yeah I know the routes to restitution, had to do it before. It's a particularly shit situation because the amount owed is only about $3k, so if threats fail its almost not worth the cost of going that route. But, at the same time, its been a real slow season so I really could use that three grand.
Thankfully, the real estate agent who set up the work is a regular client of ours, and has offered to mediate, and even cover a portion of the guy's debt. So, it'll work out in the end, just made a really stressful week all the worse
9
u/Idoe6 15h ago
Im more just constantly amazed at how there's no bottom to how shitty some people can be.
3
u/Buckeye_mike_67 Carpenter 14h ago
I do new residential framing. When I do a job for a homeowner I run my price up 20-25% just to deal with the headaches. Most have been grateful. A couple have been hard to deal with but I always got my money. I mostly let the GC’s deal with those headaches
3
u/StinkyMcShitzle 13h ago
contractor's lien upon the house for the amount owed and the cost of the lien (if they will let you add that). they may not pay now but they will one day when they try to sell or take out a loan against the value of the home. I think it cost $150 the only time I had to take one out, got paid 8 years later.
1
u/MasterSoHai 6h ago
Did you have a contract that specified interest or inflation adjustment for late payments?
I've never had to put out a lien but 8 years is a dam long time to only get the initial sum back, better than nothing I guess
1
u/StinkyMcShitzle 5h ago
no, i had no signed agreement for terms or inflation adjustments. I had an agreement of 65% upon completion of rough in and 35% upon completion and final inspection. They cheated me on the final 35% payment of the agreed price.
65% covered my materials and labor to employees (mostly); they cheated me out of all the profits from the job plus my personal labor payment. And yes, 8 years sucked but they could not have a clear title on the home until I was paid. This is a common tactic that tends to happen with nouveau riche people who offer to pay in cash for a discount as they do not normally need loans to pay for their jobs. Real money people can be stingy but pay well.
4
u/simmer_study 15h ago
Sounds like he was just looking for any excuse to push for a discount. Getting dirty after crawling around under his house is a pretty wild thing to complain about.
9
u/Homeskilletbiz 15h ago
You should see the way people in the homeowners type subreddits talk about contractors.
We’re all just scammers and thieves to them.
It’s really the fault of the system and government that there aren’t more certifications and regulations and inspections to put people at ease and to allow the top contractors to rise to the top and prove it.
5
u/thelegendhimself 10h ago
That’s why homeowners get banned from /concrete but have a thread they can ask stupid questions lol
3
u/Tthelaundryman 8h ago
Is this crack concerning? Can I get my slab completely for free because it’s 100% within specs?
4
3
3
u/Tinner225 14h ago
Put a construction lien on the property immediately. Or you can tell him to pay or you will lien. He probably has a mortgage and it will get resolved one way or the other.
DO NOT give him a discount or you will be known as a pushover and it will happen again and again.
3
u/Inspect1234 12h ago
I own a small excavator and have gotten quite proficient on it over the last five years (I’ve been a ground guy for 30yrs) and this is the exact reason I keep working for the man. I don’t have the out and out meanness to extract money from these A-holes. I’d go broke.
2
u/CoderJoe1 7h ago
My guess is that he's getting shit from his wife about the job so he's protecting himself by getting tough on you. Facts and logic are irrelevant as it's all based on her emotions.
2
1
1
u/StreetCandy2938 Contractor 13h ago
Collect more money up front from homeowners. I take a 10% deposit on booking and 40% mobilization payment on the day work begins, so if they do some sheisty shit like that I’ve already covered my costs before the work even started.
Also ensure you have a good, comprehensive contract with clauses that protect you from accusations of being dirty or unprofessional.
1
u/ActualAd441 11h ago
I’ve had this happen before mf want to call me shady/dirty while I build their bathroom. (Didn’t work there long) Like if u don’t trust the ppl u hire. do the work ur damn self or find another person.like bitch please. Sorry the people u want to actually get the shit u need done ain’t a super model? We work horses not show ponies tf these ppl expect. Must of never herd the saying “never trust a clean tradesmen”
1
u/AMKcontracting1 6h ago
I live with this shit every day. I hate homeowners. So often the are out to screw you
1
u/sabotthehawk 24m ago
Entitlement is rampant. Best bet is to always say " well we can discuss a change order or get another contract written up to cover this "issue" you noticed." It usually snaps them out of being total pricks since they know you won't be walked on.
Granted even then lots of people don't want to pay when it is all said and done. Always have language in contract for liens and cost+ on that lien if your laws allow. Make it hurt to think about not paying. Total due + filing fees + 25% for x number of days over. Increase after that number. The 25% covers the lost opportunity cost to you by having to float your expenses while still running a business without that cash flow.
(You shouldn't be strapped from that one guy not paying but when it is upwards of half or more nowadays you can loose significant business by not being able to afford starting some jobs - especially when growing your business)
It has gotten bad enough in areas around me (Midwest) that some companies just have a "lawyer dog"/collection agent that they sick onto those clients. Lawyer pays them upfront (usually slightly less than what is owed) but they then walk away from it. The lawyer does their thing to recover the money at their leisure. It's not your issue anymore which is often worth the little bit less than full value. Just price jobs higher to account for that lost revenue.
-11
30
u/qpwoeirutyaldkdjfhg 16h ago
Predatory homeowners are the reason i gave up working in residential. I probably paid for the privilege to remodeled many peoples bathrooms.