Hello, I am the owner of a small GC company and I’m having issues with a certain customer. I was hoping to get advice here so I can weigh in my options.
So I recently finished installing 450 feet of baseboard, 150 feet of casing, a closet door and two 36" bifolds for a customer who is looking to sell their house for maximum profit.
Said customer had told me they had almost all the material needed to complete the project including the bifolds so I gave her a ballpark estimate of 2000 to 2500$ for the labor.
After looking through the material she had on hand, I had a total of 64’ of baseboards which I couldn’t match (used in closets) maybe 14 feet of casing that was actually sort of useable (also used in closets) a door that was too small and we had to re frame and her bifolds were both mismatched and way too small for the closet opening.
I communicated several times throughout that I needed to purchase material to complete the job. I charged a little less for labor but now the job came up to 3000$ with all the material. Customer is now throwing a fit claiming a 50% markup when in reality I’m charging less for the actual labor than I initially estimated. I’m even charging her my rate for the material with no mark up.
I got off the phone with them and they said they would pay us what they were “comfortable with” which I find is the most entitled thing I’ve ever heard.
What are my options here? I have the receipts. I have the proof in text. The job is complete and I even went through everything with her to make sure it was OK. I’ve been very patient throughout the whole ordeal but I refuse to let someone devalue my work and dictate what they pay me. At the same time, a bad review hurts a lot and I can’t actually get them to pay me.
I’m incredibly frustrated. I’m fanticising about just walking in there with my hammer and flat bar and removing all the trim but I know thats asking for trouble lol. Would threatening with a lien be a suitable option if I can’t get paid? Or would you go a different route.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
You talk to them directly, show them the documentation, and say this is what I am owed. If you aren’t going to pay by X, then I will file a lien on the property. Calmly, with confidence. Make it their choice on what happens next with clear actions.