Client Freaked Out Over My Custom Built-In Bookshelf Design - Total Rant

HardwoodHero6

·1mo·12 replies·12 participants

HardwoodHero6⚒️ JourneymanOP1mo

So I'm on this job installing a face-frame cabinet setup in their living room, and the client starts nitpicking every damn detail. I show up with my Festool Domino for the joinery, explain how it'll hold up better than pocket screws, and she acts like I'm trying to rob her blind. Spent two hours reassuring her that Benjamin Moore paint will match her trim perfect, but nah, she wants revisions that'd add a whole day. NGL, these difficult clients make me wanna stick to commercial gigs where they just sign off. Last week on r/Carpentry, someone posted about a similar headache with picky homeowners. Finally got her to approve, but man, what a waste of my afternoon. Anyone got tips for dealing with this BS?

NotAnHVACGuy🔧 Apprentice1mo

how do you even keep from losing it when clients keep changing their minds like that?

GreenThumbGuy2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

next time sketch it out on paper first and walk her through the joinery benefits with a quick cost breakdown, usually cuts the back-and-forth in half.

KeyMaster99⚒️ Journeyman1mo

goddamn clients always think they know better than us after watching one hgtv episode, makes me wanna smash my kreg jig every time.

FreonFiend2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

man, those picky homeowners are the worst, always second guessing every cut and finish. been there more times than i can count, makes you wanna chuck the whole project.

BasinBoss🔧 Apprentice1mo

man i had a client last month who picked apart my whole drawer slide install for an extra hour, these homeowners think theyre designers or somethin and it pisses me off every time.

BrushStrokeBoss8⚒️ Journeyman1mo

picky homeowners are the worst, man, theyll question every cut and screw like you stole their wallet. been there more times than i can count, makes me wanna switch to kitchens only.

SparkPlugStan2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Document every change request in writing, email it back to them with your time estimate added on.

RustyNails3⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Yeah, and charge for the revisions - turns picky into precise real quick.

DoorOpener99⚒️ Journeyman1mo

had a client last week demand three redesigns on a simple built-in, and im tellin ya, they only stopped whining when i slapped on a $200 revision fee per change.

RustyNails3⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Fuck these clients who think they're HGTV designers but pay like it's IKEA.

GateOpenerGuru⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Haha, I once had a guy demand I 'test' his new shelf with his bowling ball collection.

SudsSquad⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Been there, bro. Lost a whole weekend to one who changed her mind on the stain color mid-sand.