Sierrasparky
Senior Member
- Location
- USA
- Occupation
- Electrician ,contractor
I've been wondering for some time now. In California there are so many laws protecting the consumer and no really protecting the contractor. Such as everything must be written and signed as far a contracts and changes.
I have had the experience first hand now many times. You have a customer who knows the laws and tries to get you to do work without a signed change order.
For instance : The owner wants to add some wall sconces in each bedroom ( 14 total) and such. So you prepare a change order. You Email it over to be faxed or brought by in person signed and approved. In the change you specify Price good only for the next couple of days and 24 hrs prior to start of drywall. what you get is a YES to the email no signature. You respond back and say I need you to sign it. Days pass and you contact the customer again. He reponds " DON"T YOU BE NIKEL"N DIME ME" You kindly say I can do the work once you return a signed approval. The customer waits till after the time period expires or drywall starts.
Now you have a pissed off customer.
If you had done the work the customer might be happy and it probably would stand in court as the email is probably good enough for that venue. However in Ca. The law states it must be signed. Now you could be in trouble with them if the customer is really looking to save money and stick it to you.
You can't think every customer is a theif, but you should not have to do work on a handshake just cause the customer wants it to be that way.
Any other opinions here.
I have had the experience first hand now many times. You have a customer who knows the laws and tries to get you to do work without a signed change order.
For instance : The owner wants to add some wall sconces in each bedroom ( 14 total) and such. So you prepare a change order. You Email it over to be faxed or brought by in person signed and approved. In the change you specify Price good only for the next couple of days and 24 hrs prior to start of drywall. what you get is a YES to the email no signature. You respond back and say I need you to sign it. Days pass and you contact the customer again. He reponds " DON"T YOU BE NIKEL"N DIME ME" You kindly say I can do the work once you return a signed approval. The customer waits till after the time period expires or drywall starts.
Now you have a pissed off customer.
If you had done the work the customer might be happy and it probably would stand in court as the email is probably good enough for that venue. However in Ca. The law states it must be signed. Now you could be in trouble with them if the customer is really looking to save money and stick it to you.
You can't think every customer is a theif, but you should not have to do work on a handshake just cause the customer wants it to be that way.
Any other opinions here.