I have been asked how we did the estimate for the 3,000-square-foot weekend job, and did our trouble and costs pay off for us?
First, we took on the job because it is a very popular restaurant in Huntington, Tenn. Second, because it was done wrong, and folks thought we did the job from the start. Third, we are the only crew with the skill and manpower for many miles that could do it for the owner in a short time. Fourth, we knew we would get work off this job!
The owner had asked us for some time how it could be fixed. We went over what would need to be done for us to start the job and the fact that if they did not do as we asked, we would not take the job. They had been mopping the floor to get it clean, and I told them that had to stop for at least six months. The floor was reading 18% when we first checked, and when we sanded the floor it was down to 11%. That is in the acceptable range for us in this market, so we now have a dry floor. Next, they had to shut down for three days 100% so we could just work nonstop (he was not happy about that). So in order to get the downtime it had to be Labor Day weekend, when three days off would not hurt the income so badly for him.
We bid the price 20% higher because it was the weekend. Our crew knew they would give up the weekend but we would make it worth the time. Ray Ray (nickname) only worked 12 hours for us that weekend, Ethan worked 13 hours and Joey and I did the rest. As the two lead men, we took the task head on and knew we were going to be spent at the end of the weekend. But, we felt that the work to come would outweigh the weekend we gave up.
It turns out giving up the weekend has paid off. Already we are now looking at a local church gym floor, a large remodel of the local picture show place (what we call a movie theater around here) and two or three homes from lawyers who have seen the work at the restaurant (the restaurant is down the street from the courthouse). So 20% extra and the extra work should be the reward.
As far as all the broken tools and other mishaps on the job: The tools were going to break regardless, that's just a fact of life. We work them hard and they do need repair-it just all came on this one job. The rag fire was just a thing; we put it out and no harm done. The lack of sleep and silly mistakes like running over the cord? Well, that is one of life's lessons: Do not over-task the body, because it will win that battle. We are glad to have the job done, and the owner is happy his floor is flat and looks wonderful. But most of all we are seeing rewards and getting great comments. People know who fixed the floors and what wood flooring company to call in the future.
