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Turned down a job today

Mar 22, 2011

I could tell you a few stories where I have turned down jobs. Especially when they mention the word "Insurance" 53 times in 15 minutes.

I have always found that sometimes it's best to follow your gut feeling and move on to the next job and forget about it.

By the way, the one I just mentioned above had her roof cleaned by another company and within 60 dayd a roofing company was there replacing her roof......I wonder who paid for that???? Hmmmm!!!! confuse

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

You did the right thing. We turn down a couple a month for similar situations.usually its just a bad feeling about the customer.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

I've only turned down one job this year, but that was because last year I took on jobs that I should have turned down! Follow your gut, you did the right thing.

I cleaned a Mansard Roof the other day and the homeowner and his son watched us the entire time, not once did they stop watching. It was frustrating, and hard to work that way. I couldn't imagine that on a very difficult job like you described.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD on Tuesday 22nd of March 2011 01:01:40 PM

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Phil, I always tell them ina joking manner that the price they got was if they didn't watch. If they watch the price is double. Even though I'm joking it gets the point across usually.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Ha! Good idea, Scott. This was the 2nd time a customer watched from start to finish. I can't say that I really mind, but it slows things down because they start asking questions and I feel like I have to talk to them the whole time.

Mar 22, 2011

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

Phil, I always tell them ina joking manner that the price they got was if they didn't watch. If they watch the price is double. Even though I'm joking it gets the point across usually.

Last week we were Cleaning a 2 story House and Concrete. The Owner came out and started watching. I told him if he wanted to watch he had to help. Next thing I knew he was helping me with my hoses. LOL...Heck, I'll take the free labor.

aaron61 · Guest

Roof Cleaning Palm Harbor FL 727 543 3276 wrote:

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

Phil, I always tell them ina joking manner that the price they got was if they didn't watch. If they watch the price is double. Even though I'm joking it gets the point across usually.

Last week we were Cleaning a 2 story House and Concrete. The Owner came out and started watching. I told him if he wanted to watch he had to help. Next thing I knew he was helping me with my hoses. LOL...Heck, I'll take the free labor.

That's great! Get em involved and they'll apreciate the finished product even more.

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 · Mar 22, 2011

I normally enjoy it when the customers watch and talk to us when we work. Now if I have a pain in the butt customer I'll drip some paint or some love on them.

Mar 23, 2011

I have turned down work as well. I don't mind any customer watching, it's just them talking to me while working it slows you down.

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Mar 23, 2011

If anyones like me I give credit for turning down work. I know its not an easy thing to do.

Scott you forgot to add the 3rd and most pricy option: Price 1 if they don't watch. Price 2 if they watch. And price 3 if they insist on helping.

sweetwaterfish · Guest

Greg, honestly it is about the smartest thing you can do, to turn down the PITA ones. I hate to watch a dollar walk away, but there is the risk/reward factor to consider. If its that risky, the reward needs to be worthwhile. Always go with your gut!!!!!

Mar 23, 2011

Roof Cleaning Raleigh Durham NC 919-695-2416 wrote:
Have you guys ever turned down a roof cleaning job before?

I had to turn one down today. It was going to be a difficult job. This house had cedar shake siding that had just been redone and looked great. The roof was too steep to walk and it had too many areas where I could not guarantee I could protect the siding from getting the mix on it. Not to mention the only access on one side was to move and climb a 40ft ladder. The owners seemed very picky and wanted to be there and watch as I cleaned. I just had a bad feeling about this job and I couldn't get over my gut feeling so I turned it down.

My personal policy is "I don't want every job"

I stay busy and the last thing I need, is to wish I had never taken on a job.

I refuse dozens of jobs a year and if anything, that will increase!

I want jobs that make me $. Jobs that I feel the owner will be impressed with the results.

Jobs that don't start out with "If I get a leak in my roof, do you have insurance to cover that?" { Yes I do, but I don't want to work for people looking to make insurance profit on my work, because they already have a leak! }

Lots of reasons to not want a job.

There's plenty of legitimate work, that you can walk away from feeling great about what you have accomplished!

Chuck

Pristine Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

i just now turnend down a job, husband call and and siad he wants it done. 2hrs later his wife calls and asks me over a dozen ?'s imean any thing you can think of i answerd all of her ?'s then she comes around and says well your price is kind of high my sister had it done for cheaper so i let her talk me down $50 (why not just use her sisters contractor) this was 4 days ago. now i just walked in the door and saw i had a missed call so i call back and they answer law office its her with more ?'s i felt like i was being interigated so i siad im not doing the job even thow i need it it just did not feel right.

neil · Guest

What a story, Pristine! Thanx for sharing it. When I was in the Army down in Panama there was a Navy SEAL installation on San Lorenzo bay, which is where the hammerhead shark spawns. To display their courage, the SEALs regularly went swimming in the bay.

I doubt even THEY would do a job for someone who answers the phone "law office". You done good turning that one down, pardner.

gutterdog · Apr 26, 2011

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:
Phil, I always tell them ina joking manner that the price they got was if they didn't watch. If they watch the price is double. Even though I'm joking it gets the point across usually.

we charge extra when we put on a show! lol!! once had a older couple bring chairs out and drinks and watched us the whole time, lol!!

zjim · Guest

gutterdog wrote:
Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:
Phil, I always tell them ina joking manner that the price they got was if they didn't watch. If they watch the price is double. Even though I'm joking it gets the point across usually.
we charge extra when we put on a show! lol!! once had a older couple bring chairs out and drinks and watched us the whole time, lol!!

I have this pic in one of my print ads with the tag line "sit back and let A Fuller Service do the work

aaron61 · Guest

zjim wrote:
gutterdog wrote:
Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:
Phil, I always tell them ina joking manner that the price they got was if they didn't watch. If they watch the price is double. Even though I'm joking it gets the point across usually.
we charge extra when we put on a show! lol!! once had a older couple bring chairs out and drinks and watched us the whole time, lol!!

I have this pic in one of my print ads with the tag line "sit back and let A Fuller Service do the work

That's frikin beautiful!

gutterdog · Apr 26, 2011

I like that pick! I shouldve took a pick! I think that works! Older people, Dont have much activity. Watching their house or roof get washed, well... that some activity for them!

Youve sold them you are the best!

My parents are at that age. I understand chit many dont.

zjim · Guest

gutterdog wrote:
I like that pick! I shouldve took a pick! I think that works! Older people, Dont have much activity. Watching their house or roof get washed, well... that some activity for them!

Youve sold them you are the best!

My parents are at that age. I understand chit many dont.

The best part was his wife had Ice Tea, Leamon Aid, Ice water and cookies waiting for us roof cleaning

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