Looking carefully at the cause and effect of jobs that don’t end well, the bitter taste of a very large percentage of them begins with the dust left behind on a poorly cleaned site. The failure to pay attention to the simple letter of the contract that spells out “broom clean” can have complicated (read “negative”) results.
A carpenter must always keep in mind that he has been invited into a home. Even in the messiest junk-filled place, no judgment should ever be made that it does not matter how much is cleaned up at the end of the day. Such a lapse of care can cost deeply.
Thoroughly disrupted by a renovation, the unsuspecting client is worn down by the details. When discovering muddy footprints at the other end of the house, the previous level of tolerance in the most patient client may suddenly collapse. The danger becomes that now impatient, they begin to look more closely and pick apart the actual work.
Once headed down that unsanded handrail, the dollars fall out of the final check at a far faster rate than hours on the punchlist. Once the trust has been squandered, it takes incredible commitment and grace to win it back.
Simple Rules:
No matter how convenient, don’t use their antique furniture for tools and coffee.
No matter how ugly the paintings, remove all from the walls because the one that surely will drop from so much pounding on the other side will be the one done by their great uncle once removed, worth more emotionally than your favorite tool.
No matter how grungy the furniture, cover it all if in doubt. Now there are packages of 9x12 rolls of 1 myl poly to make it so easy. When it comes 100% biodegradable, leave the package showing and really win points.
No matter how scratched or speckled the floor, use a drop cloth. Leave a trail of 4x15 cloths all the way to the side door, even right out to your truck if you have enough.
No matter how much dog poop is in the yard, pick up every nail (use a rolling magnet over and over) just in case the client walks bare-footed.
No matter how much the clients insist it really doesn’t matter, this is the one time it is appropriate to ignore them.
I’ve found lugging the big heavy air filter from job to job has paid off immeasurably. It only begins to collect all the fine dust, but cleans enough to win the “A” for effort. With the invention of “3rd Hands”, a spring-loaded pole with cushioned ends to avoid scars on the floor and ceiling, it is a snap to isolate the construction from the rest of the house.
And with a crew of young, brawny guys who don’t know any better, stop a moment in the routine to wipe down the toilet and quick mop the bathroom floor. On some jobs, the price of a portalet is far less than a thousand apologies.
All of this cleanliness comes with a price tag, of course, but don’t be afraid to pass at least some of it on. In the second presentation, the one that really separates the competition, explain the few (or 2000) extra dollars as a selling point, spin the dirt as one more reason the client will be happy when all is done.
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