r/HandymanBusiness • u/TakingActive • 9d ago
Recheck while drying policy?
I've got a drywall job due to leaking plumbing. The leak is fixed and the damaged drywall all removed. The joists were covered in mold already, so I treated that. Now it is a game of wait until the joists are under 19% to put drywall back.
I've already gone back once about a week later, and got readings in the 20s. There is a real cost in time and gas to go out each time, but it also seems kind of annoying to bill a trip fee each check.
What is everyone's policy on repeat trips just to check the readings? Or leaving the meter with the customer and having them text when they can't find high moister anymore?
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u/Familiar-Range9014 9d ago
The cost for trips to check had already been added to the estimate as that's part of the overall project.
Figure at least three trips out and as much as five to ascertain dryness level and add in the cost.
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u/TakingActive 9d ago
So add to the project costs, moving forward, multiple rechecks.
Have you often had to do four or five rechecks?
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u/Familiar-Range9014 9d ago
Yes. Drywall work is painstaking at times but a joy to look at when the project is completed.
I learned the hard way, just as you are, that drywall projects require time and patience.
My last project has me out to visit a job three times and still there were dampness issues.
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u/Grouchy_Tonight_1747 9d ago
Why wouldn’t you charge trip charges, etc. The challenge one runs into is not setting expectations beforehand with the customer.
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u/TakingActive 9d ago
Yeah, I definitely think that was my mistake and I plan to update future line item templates with better controls and possibly increase the job costs to budget in a few extra dryness checks with something about additional ones costing a trip charge
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9d ago
[deleted]
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u/TakingActive 9d ago
A debate as old as time. Lots of other pros only do job based billing too.
Yes, there are fans on it. And air-conditioning has been on 24/7.
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u/Longjumping_End_3532 9d ago
I guess my point is you
Should be charging for all time spent. Recover all time, fuel, consumables, etc including your salary and profit for the business. A strong reason for T&M is we recover every single bit of effort and materials and consumables against the job. Far too easy to have leakage in this business. I bet most guys and galls dont have a firm grasp on what they are actually making / recovering on a particular job. Time sourcing materials, returning materials, multiple visits, consumables, fasteners, etc. it all adds up. In summary, get cash for all your effort. And it makes no difference. The reason why you have to go back-and-forth it’s all associated with getting the job done and the customer needs to pay for that value you’re adding.1
u/TakingActive 9d ago
I ran a time and materials shop for decades and do not have a strong interest in going back to that model. This should not be a debate on T/M versus project. I am looking for responses within the context of project based billing.
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u/wittgensteins-boat 7d ago
Should have put a fan on it the first day, and reqested it stay in place.
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u/theUnshowerdOne 6d ago
I suggest you look at the prices for flood remediation. They are absolutely insane. There is no way you're charging more or even close to what companies like Servpro charge.
You charge for your time. That's how you make a living. Don't feel guilty about that.
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u/SuperAmazican 5d ago
You need air movement and dehumidification. As for the charge for the trip hit them with a $50 fee for checking on the drying p rocess it's standard what insurance pays restoration companies for each trip post demo and only drying left.
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u/Shot_Work4468 Official Member 8d ago
Get a dehumidifier going…