Turning down work

[forestboy1978]

Often I get asked to do things are near impossible and in these cases rather than wandering around someone's garden for an hour I generally tell them there and then I'm not interested. Goes either way. They're either clearly pissed off or they are appreciative of not wasting their time. 

 

Usually people who want a budget job done in difficult circumstance I save wasting anyone's time and say no cos there is no such thing as difficult AND budget job in fencing. 

 

What I'm struggling with is people who literally beg me to quote for a job that I'm not interested in. I've said no a lot recently due to a variety of reasons and I get "but what if we do this" and "what if we do that". I am a person who is ALWAYS civil to people who are good people and I always reply out of courtesy so I'm wondering at what point is it just better to just ignore people who wont take no for an answer? I'm talking about people I actually like btw not people who I don't like which of course I could not give the slightest shit about. 

 

Ta

[Rough Hewn]

Sorry mate, I've only got the odd single day free.
[emoji57]

[Lazurus]

I have a similar thing with my woodwork commissions, I found the only way is to overprice an awkward or problematic job, if they take it - result, it will be worthwhile, if they don't nothing lost. I don't get into negotiation though as less said the better at times. But I don't make a living from it so I do feel for you guys who don't like to turn a job down, sometimes though I think its just not worth the hassle.

[Mark Bolam]

When you're not busy, can you give me a quote for replacing my fencing?

 

20 bays, I want concrete posts and gravel boards with drop-in closeboard panels.

 

My budget is £200.

[Mick Dempsey]

 

 

It’s just fencing, do it or don’t do it. Sub it out if you don’t want to do it.

 

It’s business, it’s clients, you know, life.

 

oooooh, what can I do? People are begging me for quotes!

 

Stop moaning.

 

 

Edited April 6, 2018 by Mick Dempsey

[Matthew Storrs]

1 hour ago, forestboy1978 said:

Often I get asked to do things are near impossible and in these cases rather than wandering around someone's garden for an hour I generally tell them there and then I'm not interested. Goes either way. They're either clearly pissed off or they are appreciative of not wasting their time. 

 

Usually people who want a budget job done in difficult circumstance I save wasting anyone's time and say no cos there is no such thing as difficult AND budget job in fencing. 

 

What I'm struggling with is people who literally beg me to quote for a job that I'm not interested in. I've said no a lot recently due to a variety of reasons and I get "but what if we do this" and "what if we do that". I am a person who is ALWAYS civil to people who are good people and I always reply out of courtesy so I'm wondering at what point is it just better to just ignore people who wont take no for an answer? I'm talking about people I actually like btw not people who I don't like which of course I could not give the slightest shit about. 

 

Ta

I completely relate to this, and find the same problem myself. I live in a rural area where word of mouth spreads quickly, good or bad. I don’t like turning work down but at the same time some jobs are just not worth the hassle no matter how much money is on them. Personally I’d sooner be doing the hassle free jobs that I enjoy for less money than jobs that require extensive planning, complicated quote preparing etc and still end up being a ball ache when actually doing it.

 

Fencing around domestic properties I find is almost the worst- nearly always hassle with utilities/concrete, odd ball situations to deal with that absorb a huge amount of time.

 

if you are booked up anyway just say that you have too much work on at the moment to be considering other works at this time- trying to scope the job out as much as you can on the phone is usually best and ten you can save yourself the journey if it doesn’t sound like something you want to get involved in.

[Matthew Storrs]

7 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

 

 

It’s just fencing, do it or don’t do it. Sub it out if you don’t want to do it.

 

It’s business, it’s clients, you know, life.

 

oooooh, what can I do? People are begging me for quotes!

 

Stop moaning.

 

 

I don’t think he’s moaning- just trying to find a tactile way of turning down jobs that simply don’t interest him. What do you say to jobs you don’t want to get jnvolved in?

[Mick Dempsey]

Tactful rather than tactile!

 

 

But to answer your question.

 

I say I don’t want to do it.

 

I don’t have the right gear/men/too close to power lines etc.

Edited April 6, 2018 by Mick Dempsey

[forestboy1978]

3 minutes ago, Matthew Storrs said:

I don’t think he’s moaning- just trying to find a tactile way of turning down jobs that simply don’t interest him. What do you say to jobs you don’t want to get jnvolved in?

I wasn't moaning. Mick ALWAYS interprets me in the worst possible way. 

 

You are correct. I'm looking for a way out of the admin time required for these negotiations without being rude. 

[Matthew Storrs]

2 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Tactful rather than tactile!

 

 

But to answer your question.

 

I say I don’t want to do it.

Haha- could be tactile- but the customer might not appreciate it!