Bo**ocks to boats!

James W said:
Sometimes, I just want to say bo**ocks to the boat and jack it all in.

Take today for example, I had a spare afternoon, made good progress with the electrics and left the boat a happy man. I then returned home to find an invoice for work done on an engine for the best part of a grand! I'd clearly stated that I wanted a guide price on the costs before the work went ahead and that money was a consideration but it seems I wasn't clear enough!

I can't afford it plain and simple, I'll definitely be selling the inboard now, just to pay for the work done on it!

What a terrible state of affairs.....:(
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No business I know will do anything unless customer has given the impression that they def want the work done specially if total is doubtful at the outset.
To many customers ready and pleased to pay to waste time and energy trying to get people to pay for work they cannot affort to get done.
Suspect you may have been a bit vague when discussing project in first place.?

Also what is decent rate ? A man in the south east with a workshop/offices, business mortgage,pensions and wages to pay is not going to charge the same rate as somebody oop north working out the back of a van.
 
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Just some thoughts on the subject: I recently swopped the diesel in my old Ford pick-up. Not too difficult, roughed up an engine hoist and had it out in half a day. Changed all the bits from one to the other and back in. With a bit of fiddling, another day.Cost €700 for the second hand unit + my time. Then someone asked me to recon the same type of engine in an oldish yacht. Sounded OK, until I thought a bit. Dismantling the woodwork, arranging lifting from a very small space without damage to the surround. Then the rebuild: The thread on Jocostaphines (sp!!) similar job makes depressing reading on finding spares. And he would require a warranty. Phoned back: Thanks, but no thanks.
If I was a pro. I would have charged quite a lot. I reccommended him to get a modern engine of similar HP, as a realistic price on the old one would not have been a lot different.
DW
 
As I see it this has come about because of a misunderstanding and as you seem to be happy enough about the quality of the work why dont you speak with the contractor and explain the situation, pay some of it, most important if you wish a favourable outcome, and agree on how the balance should be paid off.
Trying to sell a second hand engine at time of the year might not be easy and could take a few months plus I have never found an outboard as efficient as an inboard especially when the going gets tough!
 
oldgit said:
No business I know will do anything unless customer has given the impression that they def want the work done specially if total is doubtful at the outset.
To many customers ready and pleased to pay to waste time and energy trying to get people to pay for work they cannot affort to get done.
Suspect you may have been a bit vague when discussing project in first place.?

Also what is decent rate ? A man in the south east with a workshop/offices, business mortgage,pensions and wages to pay is not going to charge the same rate as somebody oop north working out the back of a van.
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I don't think that categorically stating that any work was to be quoted before undertaken and that money was definitely an object could be construed as vague?

Is that straight enough for you, or have I given you the impression that I "def want the work done"?
 
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