Question about job cancellation

[Sam Richards]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for all the info on the forum, very helpful. This is my first post and is not CV related.

 

We had a job booked in for several weeks that we were due to start on Monday just gone, so pre-lockdown (job length 2days for 3 people). The customer texted me at 11:15pm on the Sunday night before asking if we could postpone as the neighbour was objecting to the work and that there was confusion over the line of the conservation area boundary line (which is in close proximity).

 

He is a decent person who we have worked for before and said he would compensate us for the day, we also have: 'In the event of cancelation at short notice costs may be proportionally incurred by the client' in out T&Cs.

 

My question is whether you been in this situation before and would you expect compensation to be a full day rate or a percentage of your day rate?

 

Thanks for any input.

[Steve Bullman]

I wouldn’t expect any sort of compensation whatsoever in these unprecedented times. Although it’s kind of him to offer it, if he’s a valued customer I wouldn’t take the piss

[Sam Richards]

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks for your reply. Just as an update and to hopefully help others who may find themselves in a similar situation, I had a lengthy but calm and constructive discussion with the client and he has paid us our full day rate for Monday. I said that if the work takes less time than I had initially estimated when we do come to do it then I would reduce the price accordingly which he was thankful for.

 

Thanks again and best wishes through these challenging times.

Edited March 25, 2020 by Sam Richards

[topchippyles]

I will not get into the rights and wrongs but he did cancel late and seems like a decent chap but i am with steve on this one. He would by far be more pleased if you had wavered any charge in these uncertain times.Would an insurance company waver a cancelation  fee if you phone and stop your policy at present. It would be a big fat NO 

Edited March 25, 2020 by topchippyles

[Dan Maynard]

I was thinking if he gave you first days money and you knock it off the bill when the job goes ahead that would be a good outcome.

I think you should give something off the final bill as a gesture, even if it doesn't end up quicker. Your call though, sometimes I think people say they are happy when they are not with a bit of time to reflect.

[monkeybusiness]

Did you manage to fill the day with another job?

[Sam Richards]

Thanks very much for your input.

 

Dan I think that is a fair point and definitely something I will consider. I did offer a reduced day rate for the cancelled day but he said he was happy to pay the full amount. I did not see his message until Monday morning and there were no other jobs we could do at such short notice.

 

Thanks

[Matthew Storrs]

I’ve had this once before, only we actually made it to site with kit and materials where we were told it could not go ahead today. I billed them for the day and they paid (commercial customer) and have continued to use me. I think you did the right thing- you shouldn’t have to be out of pocket- at cost maybe would have been the compromise...