Stiffed on $2,500 post-construction clean with no Method products in contract

Had a client hire me for a full post-construction cleanup on their new build, quoted them $2,500 flat rate assuming we could use my usual Method all-purpose cleaners. Turns out their contract with the builder didn't allow any cleaning products on site without prior approval, so I ate the cost of rescheduling and lost half a day. Now I'm second-guessing every contract clause for supplies.

god damn clients pulling that crap after the fact pisses me off every time.

don't sign without a change order clause for supplies, saved my ass on a $1k job.

same boat here, been burned twice on vac work without clear terms.

ugh, the struggle is real with these vague contracts.

get everything in writing, including approved brands like Method or Bissell.

had a similar mess with a hoarder clean, contract said 'standard supplies' but they meant none.

pro tip: use a simple addendum for product approvals, keeps it clean.

NEVER assume, spell out every cleaner and cost in the initial bid.

watch out for those builder contracts, they bury the no-product rule deep.

clients like that deserve to clean their own damn mess next time.

i feel ya, lost $800 on a similar gig last year.

the industry is full of these shady setups, we gotta stick together.

always include a termination fee if they pull approvals last minute.

man, that sucks, been there with window cleans gone wrong.

those big builders treat us like disposable, time to union up or something.

proud i started requiring product lists upfront, no more surprises.

yeah, screw these clients who think we're mind readers.

contract said eco-friendly only, but their idea of eco was vinegar... nightmare.

solid advice, gonna add that to my templates today.

echoing the frustration, it's exhausting chasing these details.

don't let them walk all over you, demand deposits for supplies.

sharking bites with these no-product clauses, fight back with better terms.

i lost a whole account over this, but now my contracts are ironclad.

commiserating hard, just ate a $1,200 hit on a deep clean.

PSA: include a clause for client-provided alternatives or you pay nothing.

we're all in this crap together, share your contract templates?

burned on a $3k job, now i walk if supplies aren't clear.

same, knee deep in regret from last contract fiasco.

contract reviews with a pro saved me thousands, do it.

customer thought no products meant free labor, hilarious until the bill.

totally get it, these gigs drain the soul sometimes.

feelin the pain, but better contracts ahead.

shove it back at them with a revised quote including supply surcharges.

yeah man, that shared headache is real.

lost count of how many times this has screwed small ops like us.