Daddio said:
It has been my experience that main difference between used car salesmen and contractors, is that the used car salesman knows when he is lying to you.
An experienced contractor can plan his job out and budget for common circumstances. I have seen contractors charge for unexpected matters in new premises being built to suit. What kind on bullspit is that?
In the end I wouldn't want to walk away feeling like one of us didn't get a good deal. I have yet to meet a contractor who feels the same way.
Well, I won't say there aren't any unreputable contractors out there but there are more reputable ones, than not...
To answer your comment about the experienced contractor:
- Even an experienced contractor can miss a couple of things when surveying a job....should he be penalized for it? Should the customer get it for free? If the contractor knew about it beforehand and put it in the quote, would the customer NOT be paying for it?
- Sure, we budget for common circumstances, but as a customer, would you want us to charge you automatically to put knew piping and valves in if you didn't need them? Then you'd call us a ripoff artist for selling you something you didn't need. You've hit the nail right on the head about what we face everyday, we're damned if we put it in the quote and sell it to you and damned if we don't because you bitch about having to pay extra for something that you need.
As for contractors charging for unforeseen circumstances in new construction. Have you ever heard of things like, maybe the soil can't support the structure or there's an underground stream? How about bedrock that needs to be removed to make room for the footings? How the FUCK is a contractor supposed to know that? I don't know about all of them but I sure as hell don't own a ground radar unit and my xray specs don't work like they used to.
There are also things like:
-Furnaces - different model being shipped which require different connections, specs etc
-Architects making small changes that cause us all kinds of problems when he doesn't bother telling the guy who is putting in the *&*)#@)(*& WALL
- Clients changing their minds about how big the closet in No 2 bedroom is...did you know that if he changes it ONE frickin inch it could change every wall on that floor?
-Changing from a soaker tub to a jacuzzi
-Changing the tile from ceramic to porcelain...(that is a major fucking headache) or, god forbid GLASS tiles (oh I hate those fucking things)
- Changing the switches from a standard toggle to a decora...did you know that doubles the price of the switch and just count how many can be in an average home, who's supposed to eat THAT cost?
Let me ask you again, say the builder estimated that he needs 300 linear feet of 1/2" copper pipe. Then he finds out he actually needs 350...should the CUSTOMER get it for free?
The thing that pisses me off the most about your comment is the fact that you think you should feel you 'got a good deal'. You SHOULDN'T feel you got a good deal you should feel that you got GOOD WORKMANSHIP...the deal so to speak is secondary......The customer should feel that he paid the going rate and got a great job done....End of Fucking Story....