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Debate: Should we push back on unrealistic timelines or just eat the cost?
I was on a job in Portland last month, a bathroom reno for a family friend, and the client kept pushing for a 4 day finish when my crew and I knew it needed at least 6. I stood my ground and told them honestly about the tile curing time, and they got pretty annoyed. But then halfway through day 5, a plumbing issue popped up that would have wrecked the whole thing if we'd rushed. So do you guys usually bend to keep the peace or risk the bad review to do it right? Has anyone else dealt with a client who just doesn't get the real timeline?
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blairwhite23d ago
Man, I once told a client their deck would take 5 days and they looked at me like I'd asked to marry their dog. Fast forward to day 4 and a support beam was rotted out, so we ended up taking 7 days anyway. My dumb self shoulda just stuck with the 5 day estimate from the start, but no, I caved and said 4 to keep them happy. Learned that lesson the hard way - rushing never ends well, and you just look like a clown when things go sideways. Better to eat the cost of them being annoyed for a couple days than to eat the cost of a full redo later. Trust your gut, even if it makes you the villain for a bit.
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william_miller23d ago
Had a similar situation last year with a kitchen floor. Client wanted it done in two days, I told them three was the real number, and they still gave me a hard time about it. Standing your ground is the right move even if it stings in the moment.
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