I finally broke out my new soil probe on an estimate today and I didn't like what it told me. It only goes down 3', but every foot I took a sample and it was all wet clay. My clay balls wouldn't break apart if I dropped it from 4' high. During my dicussions with the owners I picked up on the fact that they had trouble getting the lot perked for septic, which also tells me it won't drain well. I know what I am up against and an overdig is in my contract on T & M. Everyone following me so far? Here are my options:
a) put the approximate overdig in my bid, and be overly upfront with the customer as to the current conditions
or
b) quote the job based on no overdig and let my contract cover me on the overdig
Reprocussions to the above choices? a) my bid will definately be the highest and b) I would feel dishonest doing it this way.....
I know there isn't a competitor around who checks the soil while estimating a job! What would you do in this situation?
Dan
a) put the approximate overdig in my bid, and be overly upfront with the customer as to the current conditions
or
b) quote the job based on no overdig and let my contract cover me on the overdig
Reprocussions to the above choices? a) my bid will definately be the highest and b) I would feel dishonest doing it this way.....
I know there isn't a competitor around who checks the soil while estimating a job! What would you do in this situation?
Dan