Caught in a bind when a homeowner hid previous sweep damage

Fixing it felt wrong, but ignoring it was worse.

3 comments

3 Comments

That line about "fixing it felt wrong" really hits. I used to be all about just making the immediate problem go away, like patching the damage and moving on. But I had a job last year where the hidden issue caused a bigger failure later, and the homeowner blamed me. Now I get that documenting it and making them aware, even if it's awkward, is the only thing that doesn't come back on you. I mean, idk, maybe it's just me but it changed how I see every repair now.

anderson.terry1mo ago

Nah, I gotta disagree here. If you point out every little hidden issue, you'll just freak out the client and make the job take forever. Most of the time, a solid patch job holds up fine and the customer is happy they didn't have to pay for a big investigation. Plus, all that paperwork and talking can eat into your profit and time. I've seen guys lose jobs because they over explained and scared people off. Sometimes it's better to just do the work well and move on, trust your skills.

victorb511mo ago

Yeah, that 'fixing it felt wrong' feeling is a red flag every time. I always take photos of the hidden damage and text them to the client with a quick voice memo explaining what could happen if it's not addressed. Last month, I found rotten decking under some shingles, showed the homeowner, and they approved the extra work. Saved me from a callback when the next storm hit.