The flat rate sheet that made me walk off a job in Red Deer

Got a call from a homeowner who printed out some online flat rate chart and demanded I match it for a full bathroom reno, came to $2,200 less than my quote. I spent 20 minutes explaining material costs and that his ceiling joists were shot, he kept pointing at the paper like it was gospel. Has anyone else had to deal with clients who think a PDF from some US site beats a local contractor's walkthrough?

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river3511d ago

That "gospel" part hit the nail on the head. I had a guy pull the same move with a sink install, swore the chart said 45 minutes tops and tried to time me with his phone. These online charts never account for the 30 year old shutoff valves that crumble in your hand, or the fact you gotta cut out half the drywall just to reach the drain. The paper is always right until they see the actual mess behind their walls, then suddenly they wanna talk about the walkthrough.