Finishing a job

[HomerJ]

Got one that's starting to get to me.

Thought we were done. Now we have a 2 item punchlist, and 1 change order.

Sometimes, it seems like the longer you're in a HO's face, the worse things go.

We gotta get out of here!

[buildpinnacle]

Your second to last sentence is a quote that all contractors can and should learn from. There is absolutely no question that the longer you are on a job, or in the HO's world, the wheels will start flying off the bus. This is regardless of whether you are on time or even on budget. Things that were not brought up in week or month one will certainly become a major issue in week or month four. I am focusing much of our efforts on trying to complete our work as efficiently as possible. HO's do not like lag time, or 'between crew' time, and don't understand it even if they say they do. When they hire us, they expect us to be on the job with some sort of crew each day for at least eight hours with no interuptions. As I can't say I blame them as they are paying for our services, there are times when licensed trades have to be scheduled in and can get bumped because someone before them ran into a problem, etc. I don't expect them to sit and wait not making money, so if they have to go do another job and get to mine two days later, it's not their fault. It just happens. HO's sometimes don't understand that.

Next issue on long projects I have had the biggest problems with are extras. I am working on a solution, but it happens every time. As I am no give-away artist by any means, I am a very giving person and I struggle with helping people, wanting to help them, and crossing that with charging for my time, my men's time, or ALL the tasks we peform...contract or extra. This is a very fine line that once crossed, gets you into a nickel and dime to death scenerio. Here is where I have had problems. At the beginning of the job, everyone is happy, work is going great, I get asked to hang a couple extra doors, look at the daughters roof leak, etc. and say no problem, don't worry about the cost, I'll take care of it. Everyone is happy. Four months in, the HO forgets all the free work, favors, 'you buy the material and I'll put it in for nothing, that we have done and either starts to knitpick or starts to go Letter of the Law on every item of the contract. This is usually after several checks have been written and the money is starting to become very real to them. The solution is simple. I have a change order book and a favor book. I show them both books at the start of the job and explain both of them which is self explanatory so I won't go into it. I tell them that which book I pull out is totally to my discretion and they may never good one or the other, or may have plenty of both. I also give them the speech about how clients in the past have not respected my men's time and labor rates, etc and how I can 'just tell' they aren't going to be that way. You get the jist, but the last thing I tell them is not to force me to shame them by pulling out the favor book midpoint into the job and making them feel ungrateful for all that we are doing and the extras we usually throw in. It's a fun way to set a standard, but it gets the point across.

Now that all that has been said, I know the only real solution is to let them know you will perform only what is agreed to and everything else is a CO. As I know this is absolutely the only way to succesfully run your business, I am working towards that as I am a giver by nature and like to help people out. I'll get there eventually by my own quirky path.

[R & J]

Great outlook!

[DavidC]

There is no cure, but one thing I've found that helps is nearly constant communication. At the end of the day if the client is not home I will leave a note in the door. Just something simple about what we did today and plan for tomorrow, or when we will be back if not tomorrow. Sometimes I think the note is more effective than a face to face at the end of the day.

But keep them in the loop and always try to make it us together as a team rather than separate sides.

I like that idea with the CO and Favor books. Might give it a try myself.

Good Luck
Dave

[Mike(VA)]

One of us is usually there when one of the owners returns and we give them a quick tour and tell them what has happened today, what's coming up, and anything else that is relevant. We also send out an email Flash Report at the end of each week outlining what happened the past week, what they should expect the following week, reminding them of obligations on their part like ordering stuff, and seeking questions about any concerns they have. Nice correspondence trail.

Most would email me in the evening if we missed each other that day. They asked questions about things they notice, etc. I always responded as soon as I could and that really helps. Never had a problem but as with anyone, most were glad to be done and rid of us. (We weren't paying rent and spent more time in their house than they did).

[sparkydave]

Finishing up is the toughest part of every job for me. Say its a big rez reno job, evrry time you turn around there's a bunch of potlights to be moved one way three inches, dropped half inch for resilient channel, etc

Finding it discouragiing right now. Glad its not just me. Thinkb you are going to be done and you dicover one more thing that,s not right and you cant leave it like that

Dave

[TulsaRemodeler]

There is absolutely no question that the longer you are on a job, or in the HO's world, the wheels will start flying off the bus..... I have a change order book and a favor book. I show them both books at the start of the job
That is pure genius right there. I will do this from now on.

I have went off on a few long term customers over their sense of entitlement, I mean like nuclear meltdown off. Funny thing was they all backed up which really only pissed me off more.

[HomerJ]

Yesterday, it's a 2 item punchlist and a change order.

Today, it's a change to yesterday's change order that will require some special order material with a 2 week lead time.

This has to stop somewhere.

[SLS-Construction]

Start charging a mgmt / research fee for HO change orders - have it listed flat out in your contract that all change orders require a $75 fee or whatever. You might also look into having the payment due when change order is signed.