Dont Get Burned

[Linda]

Ok I am a little unhappy right now and need to know if I am in the wrong, before I make the call.
Our deal on this construction cleanup was for a final clean AFTER all the workers were finished and out the door along with all their stuff. I show up last night to unload all my equipment and supplies in the janitors closet and they are not done. They will be there at least another 2-3 days. I am getting ready to call and let them know I am not bringing my crew until it is cleared out or another deal made for a rough clean and then a final clean. Nothing has been signed yet, but we still have a deal. Am I in the wrong here? Also, a sweep and mop on the rest of the tile is going to look bad. It is going to need scrubbed thru out the whole truck stop. What if they dont agree to that, do it without the scrub? The vct tile is pieced together badly, like a puzzle im a little worried it will all come up when we start.
I gave them a flat fee for a 3 day final clean once everything and everyone was out of there, but they are not out. Am I wrong for saying call me when you are done?

Thanks,
Linda

[Linda]

I just got off the phone and they want us to clean around them. He said there would always be someone in there, he couldnt just run everybody out. I told him my price was based on a final clean after they were finished. I dont think hes very happy, but I am going to call his boss and see if hes willing to change the price. If not, I wont be going. How in the world do you do a final clean around everyone and it not get messed up? I will get burned on this one wont I?

Thanks,
Linda

[Kevin]

Well, it depends on the level of the work the remaining contractors are doing. If they are just doing finish light work. You should be able to work around them. If they are not into the finish work such as still doing drywall, sanding, heavy painting it will be more time consuming for you.

Welcome to the world of construction cleaning, working around other contractors will be part of the job.

[Linda]

Well I do understand that, but my price was based on after completion prior to occupancy. It wasnt priced for re-work and there will be re-work. If they are willing to put it in writing then fine, but he was also suppose to send the agreement to be signed and he hasnt. He just said he would pay for anything else we had to do. I dont go by say. It has to be in writing and this wasnt the deal made. Confused.

Thanks,
Linda

[Grizzly]

Linda:
i understand your concerns, especially if you want to do a professional job, however, try to view this as an opportunity to make some severe extra dollars. Complete you initial clean at your price and do the best you can. Prepare a pricing for "extras" the same as any contractor. Politely present it to the gentlemen with something like, I appreciate that we need to work around these men however the finished product will not be what I want. Based on our previous agreement, these will have to be billed as extras at this amount. List the item, IE scrubbing the floor with machine etc. etc. You can add significantly to the contract with this and if he refuses, you complete your initial work as per your agreement to the best of your ability. My two Canadian cents worth, only half a cent U. S.

Bill

[Kevin]

Well the deal is not complete unless their`s a signature, and sometimes the deal is still not complete with a signature. I would bring up all concerns prior to any work being done. But.. tread lightly, you service is a small portion of the construction project, and you are easily replaced. Lots of work was done prior to you getting there. Doing much construction commercial builds, and residential overhauls, this is crunch time and team players are needed. You going to be a team player? You can always ask for full payment in advance or 50%? Just don`t get snippy, think to yourself teamplayer.

Also: Great Advice From Bill, think additions, extra`s and continued work!

[Linda]

Thanks guys and I see what your saying. I cant reach him until 9:00am so if he sends over the agreement to be signed then we can be on our way. If there is re-work would that be priced by the hour or should I go with a sq. ft. amount? I am not sure how to price re-work

Thanks,
Linda

[Linda]

He wants us to start in the bathrooms (where they still have to finish the tiled baseboards), but he doesnt believe there will be any re-work.

Linda

[Kevin]

Tile guys usually clean up all their own debris, they have to to lay grout.
Just charge an hourly and suppy rate for re-work.




Tip : Bring donuts, nice gesture for first day on the site. But be sure to throw a little weight around, set the donuts down or hand them to another worker or construction boss. In the process open the donut box, you take the first donut in a commanding sense.

First one to eat is always in charge....lol

Payback: Ask what the other persons favorite donut is, same as above, open box swiftly and take that donut.

[logan5127]

Most contractors I work with understand when problems come up. The last one I did was very small clean up. Contractor said everything would be ready Wed Mourning. When we got there it wasn't. The carpet had not been layed yet and electric was not finished. So we cleaned the windows, dusted counter area and cleaned small ceramic tile area. He said come back Friday night and it would be ready. It wasn't. The glue was bad and carpet would have to be re layed.We stripped and finished stock room floor. He said come back Sunday and Carpet would be ready to vacuum. We did and got finished . I explained to him that the price I had given him was for one trip charge, and that I added $150 to cover trip charge an extra expense of loading and unloading. He said that was fine and he was very happy with us. Alot of it will fall back on relations and how well you and they can communicate. Also a benefit to working around contractors is that it gives you a chance to do some PR work. Get to know them. Talk to them. There is a good chance they may get you even more work. If you talk to them and they are friendly at all they will try to work with you on this job site and stay out of your way the best they can.

[Linda]

I like that idea lol and I would take the first donut Donut freak here lol

Linda

[Kevin]

Great Advice Also From Dan!!! ,

Everybody on most sites at this stage are teamplayers wanting to finish and get the heck out of there.

[Linda]

Well hopefully he will send me the agreement. I have someone sending over a fax to see if my fax machine is set up right. Hope so lol. I can not afford for something to go wrong so I am not going to start without it. I just can not. I hope this works out so will see.

Thanks for advice,
Linda

[Kevin]

Not sure if you posted it, but what are you charging?

[Linda]

8000 sq.ft. for flat fee of $2500.00 plus sales tax.