How to refuse a job?

[gassafe]

Okay, it's a bit of an odd question, but how does everyone go about telling the customer that they would not like to provide a quotation for the job...

I am self employed, and sometimes find that when looking at a job, I will sometimes know within a few minutes that I am not interested in the job for whatever reasons, but struggle to tell the customer lol, I feel kinda bad for not wanting to do it maybe...?

It can be a number of reasons, I normally don't undertake big house renovations, which involves working alongside trades / builders etc... Or jobs that involve having to do the bathroom works also... Also the jobs which involve those 'big extension' plans... I cringe at the thought of these jobs! I prefer the cleaner domestic type of stuff, boiler swops, system upgrades, repairs etc...

I had a job to quote like the above last week, I said to the lady its not the type of job I do to be honest for such & such reasons... She would not accept it, and started saying she's done houses before, and it will all work to plan, the builders are lovely, I ended up leaving the job with the 'big plans' in hand awaiting planning approval etc... And had to say I will have a think & email her... I now have to email her the same thing, that I am not interested!! I had a similar house renovation before, I quoted 2 weeks, and ended up being there about 5 weeks following allowing the builders pace I said then I won't do them again!!

I often hear from customers that they have had plumbers to quote, but never hear back from then... I would rather not do that, its pretty rude... But how do you guys tell the custards the job is not for you.. And what kind of jobs do people refuse...??

 

[kay-jay]

I think most of us just put ridiculously high prices in so we dont get the job. But uf it does come off then at least your being compensated for all the crap that comes with the job.

 

[JAH HEATING]

Say ye too busy, is this isn't the normal line of work you undertake.

Just be honest, if you know anyone who does that work maybe suggest passing a number on ?

you tell one lie, you end up telling a 1000

 

[Killy Bing]

I'm quite blunt

"i have no experience doing bathrooms or any aspect of them but i can give you details of *inserts croppies details here*

"Im very sorry but i don't do extensions due to my availability constantly changing"

" i don't do new builds as i have no experience in doing so, also the timeframe relies on the other trades which is unpredictable"

Of course all of that changes when its an established customer.

if they really wont take no for an answer and i haven't done work for them before, i grow quite suspicious as to why they specifically want me!
at that point i give a really silly price.

 

[julesverne]

like Kev i always quote higher than then if you do get quote your compensated for the hassle.

 

[PlumbersMate]

I'm with Kayjay, double your price if you get it happy days, could even sub it to a forum member and get paid for doing nothing

 

[lame plumber]

got a call this afternoon!!, my boiler has broken, eventually trace thats its an lpg water heater in a mobile home, where their 18 year old daughter lives, not ever been serviced in 8 years, it only runs a shower and it would seem the flames been yellow a few years and now the whole thing has melted and burned the cupboard its in. would I replace it?, having discovered the only electric supply is an extension lead, my answer was no, as youd only leave it to rot again and I feel your daughters life is probably worth more than the cost of a few services. So she said thats a no then and put the phone down, another life saved

 

[kay-jay]

got a call this afternoon!!, my boiler has broken, eventually trace thats its an lpg water heater in a mobile home, where their 18 year old daughter lives, not ever been serviced in 8 years, it only runs a shower and it would seem the flames been yellow a few years and now the whole thing has melted and burned the cupboard its in. would I replace it?, having discovered the only electric supply is an extension lead, my answer was no, as youd only leave it to rot again and I feel your daughters life is probably worth more than the cost of a few services. So she said thats a no then and put the phone down, another life saved

I reckon its more a case of prolonged rather than saved.
Its quite probable that the mobile home will have burned down before xmas anyway due to the indefatigable double whammy of poor genes and natural selection....

 

[Ray Stafford]

the indefatigable double whammy of poor genes and natural selection....

I may steal that phrase Kev...

 

[mountainman]

I reckon its more a case of prolonged rather than saved.
Its quite probable that the mobile home will have burned down before xmas anyway due to the indefatigable double whammy of poor genes and natural selection....

Another entrant for the Darwin Awards then.
=-O

 

[cr0ft]

Okay, it's a bit of an odd question, but how does everyone go about telling the customer that they would not like to provide a quotation for the job...

I am self employed, and sometimes find that when looking at a job, I will sometimes know within a few minutes that I am not interested in the job for whatever reasons, but struggle to tell the customer lol, I feel kinda bad for not wanting to do it maybe...?

It can be a number of reasons, I normally don't undertake big house renovations, which involves working alongside trades / builders etc... Or jobs that involve having to do the bathroom works also... Also the jobs which involve those 'big extension' plans... I cringe at the thought of these jobs! I prefer the cleaner domestic type of stuff, boiler swops, system upgrades, repairs etc...

I had a job to quote like the above last week, I said to the lady its not the type of job I do to be honest for such & such reasons... She would not accept it, and started saying she's done houses before, and it will all work to plan, the builders are lovely, I ended up leaving the job with the 'big plans' in hand awaiting planning approval etc... And had to say I will have a think & email her... I now have to email her the same thing, that I am not interested!! I had a similar house renovation before, I quoted 2 weeks, and ended up being there about 5 weeks following allowing the builders pace I said then I won't do them again!!

I often hear from customers that they have had plumbers to quote, but never hear back from then... I would rather not do that, its pretty rude... But how do you guys tell the custards the job is not for you.. And what kind of jobs do people refuse...??

Say goodbye and price high is my policy on jobs I don't want.

 

[Rickster123]

Okay, it's a bit of an odd question, but how does everyone go about telling the customer that they would not like to provide a quotation for the job...

I am self employed, and sometimes find that when looking at a job, I will sometimes know within a few minutes that I am not interested in the job for whatever reasons, but struggle to tell the customer lol, I feel kinda bad for not wanting to do it maybe...?

It can be a number of reasons, I normally don't undertake big house renovations, which involves working alongside trades / builders etc... Or jobs that involve having to do the bathroom works also... Also the jobs which involve those 'big extension' plans... I cringe at the thought of these jobs! I prefer the cleaner domestic type of stuff, boiler swops, system upgrades, repairs etc...

I had a job to quote like the above last week, I said to the lady its not the type of job I do to be honest for such & such reasons... She would not accept it, and started saying she's done houses before, and it will all work to plan, the builders are lovely, I ended up leaving the job with the 'big plans' in hand awaiting planning approval etc... And had to say I will have a think & email her... I now have to email her the same thing, that I am not interested!! I had a similar house renovation before, I quoted 2 weeks, and ended up being there about 5 weeks following allowing the builders pace I said then I won't do them again!!

I often hear from customers that they have had plumbers to quote, but never hear back from then... I would rather not do that, its pretty rude... But how do you guys tell the custards the job is not for you.. And what kind of jobs do people refuse...??

Fart loudly and compliment the lady of the house on her ample bosom. They rarely call back.

 

[Leo21]

Tell them it's not what you do, your to busy, you can't accurately price it so it's hourly rate, the list goes on.

 

[Leo21]

Forgot to say, I personally won't go nuts on over pricing it. The word may get about that your a rip off, better they hear you were straight up about not wanting to do it.

 

[Rickster123]

Tell them you can do it but you need to be back home by 3pm because you're still on tag.

 

[diamondgas]

Honesty works!

Few and far between but people's attitude also is an indicator for me! Couple of times I've walked away when "Mr Knowitall" opens his mouth and becomes a hindrance!!! Once walked away from a job when the wife of the house abruptly said "You'll take your shoes off if you want to go upstairs!" When I was discussing the fault with her husband....! Issue was a diverter fault, potentially! I just picked up my tools and walked away!!! Hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I knew she wasn't worth my time!

I love having the ability to say NO to be honest! For too long, as an employee, did i take excrement from custards who looked down on you or were truly obnoxious... I guess that's the beauty of being self employed!

 

[Leo21]

I walked away from one on Friday, an old o/f boiler. The cut out from the flue had been disconnected and the bloke new how much a gas valve was and told me it,d only take an hour!
It won't take me an hour, I'm off.
Felt for his mrs though. But not enough to stay and waste my time.

 

[SimonG]

Just say no, works for me. I have had to use a different version of no a couple of times but generally I can get the message across.

Bloke spent a good amount of time telling me exactly how to fix a leaking shower enclosure. Asked me how soon I could fit it in, I said I couldn't. Said I didn't want the hassle. His missus give a real mouthful as I was leaving.

Went to an oil boiler repair on a Saturday morning, rental, landlord lives down south. I said I would be there about half ten, got there at twenty to eleven (pain to find). Grabs my gear, knocks on the door, 'here to look at the dodgy boiler'. She replays with 'oh so your the dodgy boilerman that's 10 minutes late'. 'Really', I say, 'well I'll tell you what, you can Foxtrot Oscar right off'. Phoned the landlors when I got back in the van for the address to send the invoice and to let him know the score.

 

[erpkid]

Don't waste your time or theirs. If you know you won't do it, enjoy doing it or make any money then walk away. We quote high enough on this sort of stuff so we could sub it directly or give it to another local business by agreement.

 

[Ermintrude]

Just walk off and say nothing. Annoys the hell out of them.

 

[lame plumber]

I have on occassion just packed my bags quietly and walked out to the van and driven off when the customer has told me how to do it and the cost they expect. The resultant phone call down the road is always amusing "where are you" "gone to my next customer" "what .. Why?" "I like peace quiet and an easy life tarrah then"

 

[erpkid]

You do develop a sixth sense though...."how much for a new boiler installed ?"......."but the boiler is only £x " Walk away............

 

[REDSAW]

do it the easier way..
'i will go and sort out the price and email it to you by the weekend'

 

[Ermintrude]

do it the easier way..
'i will go and sort out the price and email it to you by the weekend'

They expect an email then. A nice trick is to wait two weeks and then email them with a stupid offer , make out you have 3 boilers (better than the one they specified) for labour only due to a cancelled orders or a stupid promo . If they call say oh sorry mrs x got last one it just before you called.

If custard says boiler costs x simply break down your costs (inflated of course) but make sure u quote less for the boiler they are on about as they have just told you that it's more ( it may be less ) but your price was based on getting the boiler cheaper than what they are saying so it will make them look stupid! And think your doing them a massive favour .

Say a valliant 831 combi swap vertical flue
Boiler £650 (820)
Flue £100 (free)
Flashing and roofer £150 (£30)
Supports and extensions £300 (£130)
Rf stat £120 (£45)
Magnaclean £75 (£75)
Powerflush £450 (120)
6 no trv and l /s £150 (£36)
Inhibitor and cleaner £50 (£7)
Fittings and pipe £120 (30 - 55)
Condensate pump £170 (£60)
Disposal of waste from site £45 ( 30 scrap!)
Labour £300 (£150 & 120 for flush = £270 per day!)

Additional cost to replace bar mixer £300 (Bristan (£60)

Smucks!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

do it the easier way..
'i will go and sort out the price and email it to you by the weekend'

i did this exact thing a month ago lol