Grabbed By The Balls

[parkesy_plumb]

Only did one job for a landlord, well tenant, who told me that he was in touch with his landlord and "ok'd" me to install at the property. Turns out he didnt "ok" me and the tenant has ripped me right off. Lesson is kids, there are no friends in business and get everything in writing.

 

[oz-plumber]

You are sounding very cynical about this person.

Personally, I would try and get the work!!.

You make it sound like the guy wants it all his way.
Why don't you try and meet the guy and have a discussion.
It sounds like a person worth getting a working relationship happening.

Express your concerns - have him voice his concerns - and see if you can work out a mutually agreeable compromise.

Personally, I would work on the prospects - at least in the interim.
It may go sour - better to find that out prior to starting any work that finding out after you have completed some work.

Keep it professional - you never know where it will take you

 

[woodsy]

I'm a great believer in your gut instinct or my problem radar as I call it. The couple of times I've gone against it, it's cost me money. To me, you are already arguing about money and you've not even started. The jobs have a going rate and try taking promises about 150 houses to Asda when you need the weekly shop.

 

[iain85]

Just quote each job on price work for what its worth to you. Stand your ground and be prepared to walk. These landlord clowns don't allow for time taken to register boiler, survey job etc. etc..

 

[WaterTight]

there is only one type of property tycoon. and the word is not repeatable in a public forum.

 

[northcarr]

Every time I agree to customer/builder getting the materials it ends up costing me,I insist on supplying it myself. The last time I let someone supply bits missing and arguments over the bill.

 

[WaterTight]

Also can anyone think of a single reason why a customer would supply materials (not including sanitaryware or something where design is a preference) other than a tacit implication that they don't trust you not to rip them off? that's a great starting point for a business relationship. As has been said before, try doing that at your local garage and see what happens.

 

[Gray0689]

If the Old plumber was being paid on time and no problems
He would still be doing the work

If it looks to good it normally is

 

[Chris F]

I would give it a wide berth.

 

[WaterTight]

What do you experience physiologically when a customer mentions they have lots of other properties? Is it avaricious glee? Or the sinking feeling you're about to be someone's pig?

 

[village idiot]

I'm a great believer in your gut instinct or my problem radar as I call it. The couple of times I've gone against it, it's cost me money. To me, you are already arguing about money and you've not even started. The jobs have a going rate and try taking promises about 150 houses to Asda when you need the weekly shop.

I have been in the situation where failing to follow my gut instinct has turned out to be a disaster.
Last night, I sent him details of all the materials I will need for the job (including pipe clips). He replied querying my need for a length of 15 & 22 mm copper pipes? Said all I need to do is take out old glow-worm boiler and fit the one he provides.

As if it's as easy as that, ffftttttt. When I rang to tell him there is more to replacing a boiler than just taking old one out and replacing with new, he said I must email him details of the exact work replacement procedure. I am happy to do that, but if this is how every other job is going to be, then I think this relationship will end before it even begins. I am more than happy to leave behind any off-cuts and left over copper pipes etc for him to retrieve at his convenience.

Apparently, BG (with whom he says he has a Service Contract) have asked him to replace four boilers in the last two months all of them fitted 4-5 yrs ago. I wonder why??? If you are paying £120/day to an RGI, chances are there will be no incentive to properly flush the system

 

[tamz]

Only did one job for a landlord, well tenant, who told me that he was in touch with his landlord and "ok'd" me to install at the property. Turns out he didnt "ok" me and the tenant has ripped me right off. Lesson is kids,

If a tenant wants work doing tell them they pay on completion (cash) and claim it back off the landlord. Let them do the arguing about money.

I have been in the situation where failing to follow my gut instinct has turned out to be a disaster. Last night, I sent him details of all the materials I will need for the job (including pipe clips). He replied querying my need for a length of 15 & 22 mm copper pipes? Said all I need to do is take out old glow-worm boiler and fit the one he provides. As if it's as easy as that, ffftttttt. When I rang to tell him there is more to replacing a boiler than just taking old one out and replacing with new, he said I must email him details of the exact work replacement procedure. I am happy to do that, but if this is how every other job is going to be, then I think this relationship will end before it even begins. I am more than happy to leave behind any off-cuts and left over copper pipes etc for him to retrieve at his convenience. Apparently, BG (with whom he says he has a Service Contract) have asked him to replace four boilers in the last two months all of them fitted 4-5 yrs ago. I wonder why??? If you are paying £120/day to an RGI, chances are there will be no incentive to properly flush the system

Don't waste your time with clowns.

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

I dont work for landlords anymore, as soon as they start going on about how many properties they own blah blah blah i just put the phone down

 

[mfgs]

The landlord sounds like a bit of a nightmare, but is the work worth the hassle. The CP12's alone if for all 150 properties are worth over 6k, but no doubt as with any landlord they will kick up a fuss if you find any safety issues.

 

[Gray0689]

A landlord with 150 property's
I'd be thinking he has someone managing it not messing about like this himself

 

[village idiot]

A landlord with 150 property's
I'd be thinking he has someone managing it not messing about like this himself

Just goes to show what Ray S said at the very beginning. Find the previous plumber and ask what went wrong. The fact he is this involved, signals problems. Besides, do i really want to put myself in a position where my regular customers will take second place?

 

[Ermintrude]

A landlord with 150 property's
I'd be thinking he has someone managing it not messing about like this himself

He might be the inlaw! We used to work for a family who own a fair proportion if the business parks and retail space and even an old train station or two, they own platforms the lot and lease back to nexus. It has an antiques fair on it (pure tat) he runs this too. He drives a vogue and an r8 when not in his t5 for work! Nice really but he's the inlaw and they have a lot of wonga. Just built a tesco on some land and now building 400 houses in co Durham .

 

[village idiot]

My main reason for wanting to take on the jobs was that I could take on the responsibility of ''training one or two kids from college as they are constantly asking for help in getting their foot in the door, seeing that the job will be steady. But considering how it is lookig as if he wants to watch every penny, I am tempted to walk away

 

[Gray0689]

Sure if you want the work take on a few jobs and see how it goes

 

[Worcester]

Sure if you want the work take on a few jobs and see how it goes

In fact approach him that way, on the basis of - we don't know each other lets work together for a couple of weeks and see how it works for both of us, if after that time either of isn't;t happy, let's review and give each other the opportunity to walk away with no bridges burnt.. He'll get to know your standard of work and amount of recalls, and you get to see if he's a penny pinching b**t**d or a fair an honest guy..