Handyman client from hell demanded free fixes after I patched her leaky faucet

CircuitClown2

·1mo·18 replies·19 participants

CircuitClown2⚒️ JourneymanOP1mo

Jersey contractor, been doing this 20 years, and I just had the worst handyman job last week. Showed up to fix this woman's dripping Moen kitchen faucet in her old colonial, quoted her $150 flat for the cartridge replacement and some PEX lines to stop the under-sink corrosion. She agrees, I get it done in two hours no sweat, but then she starts nitpicking every little thing like the caulk line isn't perfect and wants me to redo her cabinet hinge adjustments for free because 'it's all part of the job.' TBH, I was this close to walking out, but ended up charging her extra for the hassle. These entitled types are killing my schedule out here. Anyone else dealing with clients who think handyman work means unlimited tweaks? Social media tips for weeding them out before they book?

LockPickLarry9⚒️ Journeyman1mo

man those entitled karens are the worst, had one last month bitching about a $50 hinge fix after i already charged her for the whole damn job and i just told her to pound sand.

CircuitScreamer⭐ Expert1mo

man, those entitled clients are the worst, had one last month who wanted free cabinet refinishing after i fixed her sink drain, almost walked off the job myself.

SpringBreaker2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

those entitled homeowners are the WORST, always thinking a flat rate covers their every whim and leaving us chasing shadows for scraps. screw 'em, i started turning down jobs without a 50% deposit after the last one tried the same crap.

PolishPro4⚒️ Journeyman1mo

man, i feel that - had a lady last month demand i fix her whole damn kitchen for free after i swapped out her sprayer hose, entitled homeowners like that make me wanna quit the game.

SpotlessSteve2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

screw these entitled clients, i tell em upfront that handyman aint a free-for-all buffet or i walk, and half the time they still try to nickel and dime ya.

WattTheHeck22⚒️ Journeyman1mo

dont ever agree to extra tweaks without upping the quote on the spot or youll get buried in freebie hell like i did last year with a picky old lady who kept adding on till i lost a full day.

HammerHeadHal2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

these entitled homeowners are the WORST, always trying to turn a quick $150 job into free labor all damn day and screwing over guys like us who actually bust our asses.

PipeLord42021⭐ Expert1mo

man, had the exact same crap with a lady who wanted free cabinet refinishing after i fixed her sink drain. these entitled homeowners think we're their personal fix-it slaves. been there, and it pisses me off every time.

RollerRanger2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

had a lady once who thought fixing her sink meant i owed her a free marriage counseling session too. told her my hammer only fixes leaks, not drama. charged her double for the comedy show she put on. next time, get it in writing or walk like you did, bro.

ThermoTech⚒️ Journeyman1mo

handyman clients like that deserve to get ghosted after the first BS demand, screw the social media tips just screen em hard with a deposit and a clear 'extras cost extra' clause upfront.

V3925🔧 Apprentice1mo

set your flat rate up front and stick to it, like i always tell folks $100 deposit before starting anything big. for weeding out the picky ones, put a clear clause in your quote about extra tweaks costing $75 an hour. been using google business profile to post before-and-after pics, helps filter the serious clients from the time-wasters. saves me alot of headaches down the line.

JackOfAllTrades⚒️ Journeyman1mo

had a lady like that last week who wanted me to redo her whole damn sink for free because the drip stopped but now it 'looks crooked,' total BS. i told her to pound sand and havent heard back, thank god.

ThermostatTamer⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Proud to say I've built a client list where 90% are repeats and zero drama like that.

TarpTitan3⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Screw those Karens, they're why I stopped taking walk-ins altogether. United front, brothers.

BeamBender⚒️ Journeyman1mo

...

ScrubLord⚒️ Journeyman1mo

sounds like you dodged the client from hell, mine once demanded i fix her 'haunted' toilet for free after i unclogged it... turns out it was just her catfish dinner from the night before.

OpenerOperator⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Haha, sounds like my last garage door tune-up where the lady complained the opener was too loud after I oiled it up.

ThermostatTamer2⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Don't let them bait you into extras without a signed change order, or you'll eat the time every time.