should i or shouldnt i work for this customer

[D Skelton]

I had a fella who wanted to retain 10% from 20k from me last year. I politely told him where to go! If you do a job and everything is fine, then your money is essentially sitting in their bank earning them interest! Why should it be?!

 

[Risteard]

Therefore I would agree that retention is possible but only offer it at 2.5% (5% sometimes) so therefore £162.50

Don't disagree although I have seen 10% retention on a major job before.

 

[mackers]

as said gut feeling! its a gamble every job these days so the question is " do you feel lucky punk?" lol
"property developer" probably no building knowledge what so ever ,just watched to many diy shows!
retentions far to high for the contract amount stage payments or day work! otherwise run for the hills!

 

[Arnold Layne]

The choice is yours but I think your instincts are correct. The guy sounds a little amateurish, he also sounds like he's pressed for cash, so even if he's well intentioned he could be incompetent and the result will be the same, you won't get paid or it will take for ever and be a huge hassle. I don't understand why the builder is on day rates and you are on a lump sum. I don't understand why he suddenly needs temps for work tomorrow. Where is his programme? You now seem to be facing a 7 week lead in. What is the total length of the programme from start to finish, as this is the period he wants you to finance him essentially. As I said it is up to you and good luck, but I don't think this guy knows what he is doing and that kind of person normally runs into trouble, which won't be good if he owes you money.

 

[baldelectrician]

I would do as CBW says, but check him out on trustonline.org.uk

I found out about this site last month and it's a godsend- I now use it to check anyone that will be above £500 on work (or gives me bad vibes)

 

[ruston]

Just a thought , have you asked the builder why he is on day rate. Sounds a bit iffy to me. Is he paid daily , weekly, monthly. Has he been paid up to his agreement .

 

[oldtimer]

Look you have worked with this guy before he knows your work tell him 30%-30%-30% and 10% for 2 weeks after completion and leave it with him

 

[sparky-s-w]

if you dont want the job ill have it

 

[timbobelfast]

If he's trading as a LTD company, walk away. Because he will just go bust when everybodys looking paid.

Or

Get him to supply materials then day rate paid up each Friday. Then certificates when all paid up.

Too many horror stories. There are alot of sharks about at the minute!

 

[RISElectrical]

If he's trading as a LTD company, walk away. Because he will just go bust when everybodys looking paid.

Or

Get him to supply materials then day rate paid up each Friday. Then certificates when all paid up.

Too many horror stories. There are alot of sharks about at the minute!

Problem is you dont get far never working for a LTD company seeing as most companies are limited.

 

[davetherave1979]

He has no agred to our terms and asked for our bank details so hopfully it will all be ok now.

 

[baldelectrician]

Make sure you cover youself via email or similar- email the spec and ask him to confrim details etc by reply

 

[trev]

You need to be very careful with this guy Dave, (but you probably don't need me to tell you that) Just because he's agreed to your Ts&Cs it doesn't mean he will stick to them

 

[davetherave1979]

Got a meeting on site to go over things so any funny busniss I'll be off

 

[rs250250]

Good luck Dave,

I got knocked last year and T & C's are not really worth much more than the paper they are written on. You sound like an experienced guy, so use your radar
and give him the heave ho if your smell a rat!