Just lost a full day's pay on a 'quick' cedar fence job in Boise

I got a call for a 40-foot cedar fence repair, the client said it was just a few loose boards. I gave a flat rate of $400 and didn't do a full site check. Got there and the whole back section was rotted at the base from a hidden sprinkler leak. Had to replace 12 posts and 20 panels, which ate up all my profit and then some. I ended up working for free just to finish the job right. How do you guys handle quotes when a client might not know the full damage?

2 comments

2 Comments

jamieh761mo ago

Well, that's the classic "just a few loose boards" special. Sounds like the client's sprinkler system was doing more damage than a beaver with a grudge. Next time maybe charge by the rotten post, not by the hopeful description.

logan2991mo ago

Charge by the rotten post" is the only way to do it. I read a whole article about how these "small" jobs always have hidden damage the homeowner doesn't see. You have to build the worst case scenario into your quote or you'll work for free.