When a Simple Job Isn't Simple

I thought I'd bring y'all along with this project, where a simple job became something more due to years of rust.

Special Thanks Shop Sponsors for providing Equipment for Demonstration Purposes. Tell them I sent you:
Disclaimer: I work with sponsors to show you new tools sooner than my shop and video production would allow. All opinions are my own and presented without editorial input from sponsors.

[martyn]

sometimes taking a hit and doing it properly and keeping a good customer is worth it..

[portupgrade]

3:00 imagine, you are having your coffee and two guys come and cut the fence of the coffee shop with cordless grinders ...and take it away... 😂😂

[Farmboy]

$350 still seems pretty low. Hope your customer knows what a deal they got.
The metal-fab shop I used to work for wouldn't send a truck out for less than $1000.

[pcfred]

A job is only simple when someone else is doing it.

[halfmoa]

I appreciate your transparency when talking about billing and your thoughts behind it. As a maker of stuff that occasionally gets commissioned to make a piece I really struggle. If I charged my actual time they'd never be able to afford it because it might take me 8 hours with my tools and equipment whereas it may take a properly outfitted shop only 2. I do it because I love it though.

[robertoangelocordoba]

Haha! Someone from my area wanted me to fix something like 10 chairs with similar looking rotten feet with my stick welder. She says it shouldn't take more than an hour and at first I was baffled because that is easily a 2-day job. Turns out she wanted us to just pile on weld beads on the rusted out square tubing and pay us (two men) 500php (about 10 ish USD) for it and when I told her that it's gonna be more like a 2 days and 100 USD she told us she was the boss and we knew nothing.

We didn't take the job. Such a shame too, I had all the tools packed and ready to go. Not easy considering I had to walk 2 km to the job site.

[davidmiller]

I always had a "unforeseen conditions" clause in bid contacts. And I explain to the client that it simply means anything that isnt viewable or known and considerably changes the scope of the job as it is written in our agreement. I also point out that if that was to happen, a change order is drawn up so the client is aware to the reasons for the change. In every case it was obvious, similar to this one.
Taking a hit for a mis bid or any mistake made by myself is fine, and I've done that without sacrificing work we quality. But an unforeseen condition is no one's fault.

[ironwooddesigns]

Two things:

I am really happy to see someone else that does not charge for drying paint I always thought it was stupid and a rip-off to do that.

I really thought I was the only one that felt bad about some of the prices I've had to charge my clients, to the point that I have done the math 5 or 6 times looking for a way to give them another discount, lol!

[keithtynan]

It is damned decent of you to outline your process. For guys starting out - and you know this - getting the bid right is a challenge. Good for you!

[Batti]

I really appreciate your real-world explanations of how you handle these situations. Thank you!

[AlAmantea]

When you care about your work and the end product, the customer always notices. Especially when you are fair about pricing. This particular job could have gone a lot differently. The client could have seen taking the parts to the shop as simple price gouging once you were on site, as this happens a LOT in our industries. This case I'm sure the client recognized your attention to detail and work ethic. It may take a while, but I'm also certain that this job will pay you back many times over in recommendations from this client.
Well done, Richard... Enjoyed meeting you here in Baton Rouge...

[ManCrafting]

Interesting. I am actually listening to a Continuing Education Class on Customer Service. You provided excellent service in this case. Great job. See you in a week.

[Equiluxe]

Someone forgot to put drainage holes at the bottom of the posts so water dose not build up inside.

[velcroable]

In Germany such parts are hot zinc dipped, then painted. Great save for flimsy materials.

[gregwarner]

A anti rust technique from the early tube frame aircraft builders is to coat the inside of the tubing with linseed oil. In this case I would have given the inside of the pipe ends a shot of Rustoleun primer before closing off the ends of the tubes.

[wcsairinc]

You are a skilled craftsman, with integrity. As a contractor I do a job walk, and if I have a questionable job, I will quote the customer a low, and a high price for unforeseen problems. Keep in constant communication. I have made mistakes on my spreadsheet as well and I am ok eating my mistakes. Some jobs you do lose a little, but it will come back ten fold in referrals going the extra mile. I make it a habit of not going back for more money, unless it was quoted as such. I will do the job right like you. Cost no longer plays a roll in my hard bids. Been in business since 1995, and I don't advertise, and took down my website. Just one mans opinion. Hope this is the food for thought you were looking for.

[gerjaison]

2:26 - "So we make the executive decisions, our cost ...."
Very honest and decent, i hope you have a successful business and enrich life, and all the best to the people around you and all that.

[robertalexanderhoffmann]

Doing the right, durable and inexpensive is not easy, but you did the right thing and gained a satisfied customer!
Keep it up !

[curbo]

There are only a handful of channels that can take potentially boring subject matter and make them incredibly interesting, and this is one of them.

[wansolve]

You might have made a little less on this job but you did all you could to be fair and provide an excellent product to your customer. A side benefit is you end up with a very satisfied customer that will be glad to send you referral business. The bonus is that your work is perfectly displayed in a high traffic area where customers and neighboring businesses will see it and perhaps ask the owner who did the work for them! Great job on the railings and great work ethic, thanks for the video.