17
Tried a simple "no revisions after sign-off" rule and it saved my butt last week
I had this client who would change their mind about everything every single time I sent over a draft. We are talking about a simple brake job quote and they wanted me to reword it 4 times. Finally I put a line in my estimate that said once you approve the work order, any changes cost extra. Last week they tried to add on a whole new part after signing off and I just pointed to the paper. They grumbled but paid the extra $85 for the add-on. Honestly I should have done this years ago. Took me way too long to learn that some people will keep you spinning forever if you let them. Has anyone else found a little rule like this that actually works?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
abby_fisher17d ago
Wait, is it really no revisions or just no free revisions after they sign off? Because if you're charging $85 for adding a whole new part, that sounds like you're still doing the work just charging extra for the headache. Your rule should probably say "once you sign off, any change costs you a minimum fee plus the actual work" - that way they really think twice before messing with you. The way you got it now, you're still letting them change stuff, they just have to pay for it. I found that clients will still do that if the extra charge is smaller than the hassle of waiting for a new quote, lol. You might want to bump that minimum up to like $50 or so, something that actually stings enough to make them careful the first time.
7
danielowens17d ago
Right, because charging less for the headache than it's worth is the real trick. The whole point of that fee is to make the change hurt enough they don't even ask. You gotta price that annoyance at what it costs you in sanity, not just the labor. Otherwise it's just a "pay to play" game where they keep kicking the ball. That's a pretty steep minimum fee though, $50 just to open their mouth again. I guess if they're willing to pay it, they really wanted that extra part.
1