Accurately documenting changes to job spec when dealing with tradespeople

Nik192

Hi all,

I’m doing a full flat refurb and I got a quote from my builder before the work started. Once the job was in progress, numerous unexpected issues occured as it's an old building (rotten joist, poor existing electrical wiring etc). All of the changes to the scope and price have been agreed verbally and followed up by a text but it got very confusing to keep track of. I asked my builder to issue re-quotes or formally record these changes so it’s clear but he said it will take too much time and slow my job down.

I was thinking of a solution to this problem and came up with the idea of developing a tool which allows the homeowner and tradesperson to collaborate, and then automatically updates quotes as and when changes are agreed. I have made a mock-up of it here: www.quoteim.com

I would be very interested to hear people’s thoughts on this and whether they think it is a good way to address this problem?

Thank you!

Risteard

It would still need to be priced/valued when modifying the quote, so whilst I can reopen a quote and amend it it doesn't mean it doesn't slow things down when a job is already in progress. What if they refuse the quote then? It's quite frustrating amending quotes half a dozen times every time something is added/changed. I think some people really don't understand the amount of work involved in quoting.

Nik192

Risteard said:

It would still need to be priced/valued when modifying the quote, so whilst I can reopen a quote and amend it it doesn't mean it doesn't slow things down when a job is already in progress. What if they refuse the quote then? It's quite frustrating amending quotes half a dozen times every time something is added/changed. I think some people really don't understand the amount of work involved in quoting.

Yep, I think pricing up the extra work would need to be done either way. You would discuss the changes with the customer either verbally, on the phone or via the instant messaging platform on the app. The app is simply a way of very quickly documenting those changes. it works by letting you collaborate as you would do via whatsapp or text but then automatically updates the quote to relfect those changes or additions saving you a load of admin time. 

fenwick458

Nik192 said:

 All of the changes to the scope and price have been agreed verbally and followed up by a text but it got very confusing to keep track of. 

that sounds perfect, how was it hard to keep track of it? they sent a text to confirm, unless you are deleting the messages instantly I cant see a problem

Nik192 said:

I asked my builder to issue re-quotes or formally record these changes so it’s clear but he said it will take too much time and slow my job down.

Not surprising, it would slow it down. also when I issue a quote, I don't expect an instant reply,  and same when I receive a quote I like to leave it a bit, have a think about it, shop around, consider other options. thats what the builder is worried will slow it down

Nik192

that sounds perfect, how was it hard to keep track of it? they sent a text to confirm, unless you are deleting the messages instantly I cant see a problem

If you imagine over £10k worth of work agreed via text message or verbally, it gets hard to keep track of pretty fast. Below are 3 of the issues I came up against.
1. Scope and prices are mixed in with over 8 months worth of general messages. First problem is therefore scrolling throuhg message history to extract the info.
2. Text messages without formal confirmation are not legally binding. Builder therefore took liberties to change prices without informing me knowing that there's no legal repercussions. 
3. No agreed timlines or terms and conditions (guarantee, payments terms etc) like there would be with a proper quote.

Not surprising, it would slow it down. also when I issue a quote, I don't expect an instant reply,  and same when I receive a quote I like to leave it a bit, have a think about it, shop around, consider other options. thats what the builder is worried will slow it down

I am refering to the re-quotation or variation of works process that may happen once the job is in progress. Once I have chosen a builder and the job is in progress, then if any changes occur it's in my best interest for them to be done as quickly as possible.