should i or shouldnt i work for this customer

[davetherave1979]

total agree

 

[ruston]

So do I , you can't do it in Asda or your local Van sales outlet.

 

[RISElectrical]

So do I , you can't do it in Asda or your local Van sales outlet.

In fairness it is slightly different. Withholding a retention for the duration of a default period is common practice.

 

[snowhead]

Turn up tomorrow, tell him you'll bill him for the temp and disconnect and want paying before you start any other work later.

If he refuses, walk and forget the main job as well, if he agrees and pays, then go in for the main job with some of the above suggestions.

Use the temp work as a test to see how he actually behaves.

 

[telectrix]

property developer, by definition is a banker/lawyer/MP, with brains removed. about as trustworthy as the last ltd. co. they folded, taking honest tradesmen with them.

 

[Swicade]

As stated re-negotiate the retention (RISElectrical's percentages look good) before going any further. If temp supply wasn't in the original quote tell them it's extra and makesure your paid before starting the bigger job.

I use a similar breakdown as cbw for bigger job's so at least material costs are always covered.

I'd never give test records out before full payment is recieved again.

Another thing to look out for in future (as it's a property developer) is the promise of "i can make full payment when the property is sold....i'll need the test cert's to sell the place".....i was caught out by this (to my shame) end of last year and i'm still waiting for the final payment (with no cert's to barter with).

 

[ruston]

In fairness it is slightly different. Withholding a retention for the duration of a default period is common practice.

Yes I know on a massive contract but I do'nt think it is justified id this case. Job is hard enough without the punters thinking they are Paul Getty. They get away with it because they can and take an unfair advantage from it .

It's a big risk to take to give free credit for that amount of money however your circumstances are, I know there is a protocol but it has to be proportionate.

 

[davetherave1979]

told customer that we wont 30% on day we start the works 50% when the project is totaly first fixed and the remaining 20% on day of compleation if he doesnt agree to this or starts moaning about it we will not be starting the job we have set high % to cover our selfs due to there moaning about price and retention payments do you tink this is cool

 

[RISElectrical]

The 50% seems heavy.

If its going to be a long job could you not ask for interim payments and give weekly/bi weekly/monthly valuations?

 

[trev]

I agree with Tel's first post on this but I think I'd run not walk away

 

[1shortcircuit]

told customer that we wont 30% on day we start the works 50% when the project is totaly first fixed and the remaining 20% on day of compleation if he doesnt agree to this or starts moaning about it we will not be starting the job we have set high % to cover our selfs due to there moaning about price and retention payments do you tink this is cool

Seems completely fair to me because your gut is signaling a red flag and if this is what it takes to ease your concerns then so be it:thumbsup

 

[RISElectrical]

I don't see the problem with the retention, only the amount of retention asked for, I usually hold back a retention from people, typically as said 2.5% for say £1000 upto £50k, 5% upto £100k and 7.5% above this.

Ive also never asked for anything up front, just monthly valuations payed within 30 days.

 

[davetherave1979]

I total agree with aeration on a large job but this is £6500
domestic Rewire and new out building 50meters from house

 

[RISElectrical]

I agree however in your first post you said a property developer, hense I assumed a company and not just an individual, he could just be doing it to protect himself and to ensure you deal with any defects promptly. Ok so what he wanted to retain from you was too much but I'm just looking at it from his way as well as yours.

I retained 2.5% from somebody on a quote for £1900 today

 

[i=p/u]

only you can decide , it wont be good going to work and thinking is he going to screw me