Hi there, any chance you could......

[HappyHippyDad]

So I work out a quote for a customer. Two months later, nothing heard. That's fine, the customer is under no obligation to reply, although it would be polite.

A couple of weeks ago he asks for another quote for some different work. I get it out to him straight away. No reply as yet.

Today, he texts.....

"I'm having a handy man run some cables in to position. He's asking if I can get them checked out by an electrician, could you pop over or could I just send you pictures?"

I sent a politely worded reply, basically saying 'No'.

 

[Marvo]

Its suspect.
A builder I knew would get quotes for electrical work from contractors and put his bit on, and if the customer accepted the (revised quote) he would say ok come in and do the work. Sub contracting behaviour.

To be honest if he was doing this and being transparent about it I wouldn't have a problem with it. He's arguably adding value by managing the project turnkey and even by selling the services to the customer and he would also be incurring management and admin costs so marking up wouldn't be underhanded. In that position however he would also be responsible for personally guaranteeing payment to you as a sub contractor ie the contract is legally between you and the builder, not you and the customer so you get paid regardless of whether the customer pays..

 

[SJD]

To be honest if he was doing this and being transparent about it I wouldn't have a problem with it. He's arguably adding value by managing the project turnkey and even by selling the services to the customer and he would also be incurring management and admin costs so marking up wouldn't be underhanded. In that position however he would also be responsible for personally guaranteeing payment to you as a sub contractor ie the contract is legally between you and the builder, not you and the customer so you get paid regardless of whether the customer pays..

But having the builder pay you might be a tad less reliable than having the end customer pay you directly!

 

[7029 dave]

But having the builder pay you might be a tad less reliable than having the end customer pay you directly!

Been knocked by a few builders in me time

 

[Marvo]

The multitude of builders we've worked for over the years have always been good payers. As long as we've got an official works order we invariably get paid after official handover is signed off by the architect or consultant. I guess with small domestic builders it might be a different story.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Are your quotes too detailed? Is the customer using your quotes as a template for other contractors to quote from or to work from?

That's something I've encountered in the past....

Interesting point.
Yes, my quotes are very detailed. It's helped me out a few times by being able to refer the customer back to the quote. But, he could be using it as a template, as you say.
I expect he'll get his cheapy 'do it all' chap to do it.
I don't really mind, I was working opposite him, so it was no huge hassle to pop in. Plus, you have to expect one or 2 bad apples and just move on.
50/50 whether I even accept the job now, if offered. I may decide it's not worth it. Luckily, I have plenty of other work.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Its suspect.
A builder I knew would get quotes for electrical work from contractors and put his bit on, and if the customer accepted the (revised quote) he would say ok come in and do the work. Sub contracting behaviour.

This is very common. Most Kitchen fitters & Builders all do this. They get your quote, whack on 50% and tell their client the new price. Then get you to do the job