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Replies

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  Geoff Norfolk April 21, 2010 at 1:25pm

  They would with me too!!..... I'd give the job a miss. They're going to be scrutinising every detail of the finished job looking for ways to get out of paying the full price and you'll be tearing your hair out!!
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  Keith Barker April 21, 2010 at 1:29pm

  Listen to the warning bells...
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  Dave Sewell April 21, 2010 at 1:48pm

  I agree with Keith. When the bell tolls you should take heed!
  Dave
  www.gardenmaker.wordpress.com
  www.the-gardenmakers.co.uk
• PRO

  Gary RK April 21, 2010 at 2:37pm

  The level of detail in your estimate/quote is very much down to you and how you present it to your client.
  
  I would never, never entertain showing a customer any of our material charge invoices or any other costs if you have a agreed a fixed price job.
  
  I also tend to avoid jobs where the customer insists on purchasing the materials themselves in the belief they can save money. If this ends up the only way to get the job and you want it, I would ensure suitable disclaimers are in your contract.
  
  Years ago we did a job were the client's wife went our and bought all the plants (she only did 'shopping' and 'lunches' !). Not only were they poor and expensive, but they failed to water them (as instructed in the our post-install maintenance notes). She then got her husband to chase us for replacements...No chance. However a bit of watering did revive about 2/3rd of them.
  
  However. If you're working time and materials that may be different, but then that's something we very rarely do.....
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  Fenlandphil April 21, 2010 at 4:36pm

  Go with your instincts, whenever I have gone against them I have regretted it.
  This could be one of two things, it could be an awkward customer or it could be the tax or Vat man.
  I would give your normal estimate or quote, say they are your normal terms of business and leave it at that.
  But if you don't like the look of it walk away, it will be cheaper in the long run.
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  Boxelder Landscapes April 21, 2010 at 4:46pm

  I've just got in from puting up a fence for someone who works for the inland revenue, silly really as soon as he told me it made me feel very uncomfortable, a bit like driving past a police car makes you feel you've been up to something! luckily he didn't offer me cash.
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  Dan Frazer Gardening April 21, 2010 at 5:26pm

  A couple of customers have done this lately, specifically in relation to scarification. After I have visited to apply chemicals they turn around and ask how long is it going to take to scarify, what's the hire cost for the machine then decide to go and do it themselves.
  
  I have distanced myself from these items of work and will not offer any help at a reduced rate when they realise their electric machine is going to take all day and then some to do the job.
  
  Another customer who I purchase items for asks me for receipts. I write him a receipt of my own and do not give him the originals. It only allows them the chance to bicker about it. If you quote the price and they accept that shows they are happy with what you are charging. Difficult to get out of this situation once you have already started work for someone and want to get paid!
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  David Bloomer April 21, 2010 at 5:34pm

  it sounds like they want to get their idea of your costs (i.e. just the materials) so they can argue about labour, obviously they will forget fuel, running around time and all those other things that obviously they don't need billing for!!!!!
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  Steven Whitaker April 21, 2010 at 6:20pm

  You are all echoing what I was thinking myself, this is the first time anyone has hit me with so much detail. I am not doing anything shady or deceitful here, however I do think it is out of order to ask for purchase invoices, especially where "trade-only" suppliers and wholesalers are used. The corner shop is allowed to mark-up everything they sell, why is it unreasonable for me to make a bit of profit by buying from a wholesaler?
  I was always told never to quote, but to estimate: after all, how can you give a fixed cost when there may be an old stone patio where they want a new flower bed, or if the old fence posts are set in re-inforced concrete?
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  Steven Whitaker April 21, 2010 at 7:09pm

  I'm going to disagree politely Steve! We are all running businesses here, and if our hourly rate was to cover all of our overheads and expenses then we would never work. A friend of mine works for a prestige motor manufacturer as a mechanic, and they charge £140 an hour. Furthermore, would you go into your corner shop and tell them you were not buying anything until they told you how much they bought in for? I think not.
  
  Steve Kenyon The Garden Company said:

  steve its the climate at the moment , but customers must realise journey times etc for gathering items such as traveling to garden centres etc is all down time to you and must be charged acordingly , luckily i do itimise my estimates with this inclusive , but yes it is a bad stae of affairs but the customer has a right to see were the cost is going , sign of the times im afraid , plod on like the rest of us