I had a client hire me to locate and level through 16 dirt sampling locations and 2 monitoring wells. The day came to do the work and I met their team out on site, the 16 dirt sample sites were not marked and it was not clear what should be located. I talked with the client and he told me just to measure the wells, which were apparent.
I still had to traverse and level through the brushy site to locate the wells, but it took me 4 hours instead of the 6 I expected. The prep time and deliverables (CSV) took the same time to prepare as I originally estiamted.
I have a lump sum contract with the client, but clearly they were not prepared for me to be on site. The contract states that work will include 1 mobilization to site only.
My question is this.. not my fault they weren't prepared, contract says I'll go to site and measure points, but because of their mistake I was unable to complete the tasks. Client now says other points will not be surveyed.
Do I bill a percentage of the lump sum contract? Do I push for full amount?
Thanks in advance for any input on this.
I would say charge the lump sum or your hourly rate for the work performed, whichever is less.
A little flexibility usually helps build business relationships. The client is now aware that he is responsible for the problem, so I wouldn't recommend beating him up further over it.
Full freight.
Since You Did Not Do It All, Do Not Bill It All
Bill for work done, mobilization and original anticipated profit.
Give a number, quote or estimate to do the balance if necessary. Let him know that remobilization is not free.
Once you travel to a job, whether 4 hours or 6 hours work, means your day is not available for anything else.
Paul in PA
Not your fault the client wasn't prepared, true. Was your fault for not talking to your client about this when you met him on site. He may only pay 2/18ths of the agreed total. Think you are at the mercy of your client and the fact you did not fulfill the contract as written, does not matter what you found on the site, because that meeting provided the opportunity to negotiate a new fee and an amended contract. Were it me, I would be billing the 2/18ths amount, because I accepted and completed on that much of the contract.
jud
This is what I put in all my Lump Sum proposals:
"If any services listed above are not needed or performed the Lump Sum fee will remain the same for services rendered unless negotiated before a contract is signed and work commences."
In your case I would bill the full amount. If by chance it took you 8 hours in the field you still only get to bill for 6. Ya win some and you lose some, just hope to win more!
Sorry for the confusion, the project manager wasn't on site that day, just a team of technicians to supervise our safety procedures. I called the project manager when the techs couldn't tell us what points to shoot, he said just shoot the wells.
You're right though, at that point I should have asked what we were doing about the bill before work commenced. Good point.
If I had a good relationship with the client I'd bill less the 2hrs field tiime you saved. If the contract was lump sum it doesn't break out price per soil sample or mon. well does it? You have every right to bill the lump total but for good relations I'd consider giving them a break. Like someone else said, they wouldn't be rushing to pay more if it had taken you more time. Sometimes on lump sum you win, sometimes you lose. They had just as much chance to renogiate as you did. The burden isn't always on you.
Sit down, with them, with an honest work up on what the contract was for.
Then, what wound up happening. It took 2 hrs less than expected. OK, Knock off a little for that 2 hrs, (going to a job, for 1/2 a day, still blows the day). Give em your numbers, ask what they would do. They will be UNPREPARED once again, (They already showed that trait), and they will ask you what you want, And, you tell them it seems fair to me, to go to the lump contract, and then remove just a bit. Not alot, but enough for them to see what you are made of.
Just my thoughts.
N
