Let's talk about Country Living

I generally am the guy that can walk into a new environment and "click" with random strangers. My wife is amazed at the skill. I can usually find something in common with just about anyone and have enough "well-roundedness" to rarely feel left out of a group of people.

But YES- Your red flags are spot on!

I myself am anal retentive, my work, once completed is top notch- I take a lot of pride in my work.. but having clients who are more anal than I- yep- bad mix.. because as I said- they seem to want top notch for bottom basement pricing and timing!

I had a woman once when I was getting started. I was bidding low to get business- I wanted to build my reputation and thought a bit of undercutting the competition to get my good name out there was worth it. So this lady was a referral of another client. I was still doing work on his place at the time. She wanted a front door installed (swapped out) Same size.. So I told her on the phone a straight swap would be $300 (Here standard is about $400) So when I arrive she says "Well I ALSO want new locks put on the front door and I want the back door locksets installed (they would have to be re-cut)" I said- well from the phone call we had you didn't mention that you had a storm door on the front- would you like that re-installed with the new door?" "Of Course" she said.
So I said that with all of the additions it would be $400.. She snarked and said "Well I was hoping to get all of this done for like $150!" I handed her my card and told her if she changed her mind.. to give me a call.

So I gave her the ballpark on the phone of $300- just with the swap.. and even with all the additional items.. she still thought I would do all of that for $150. Oy!

Luckily for me I've fallen into a place that I was rehabbing duplex apartments. I did that for about 3 years- 180 unit property so the work was as he says "I have enough work to feed you probably until you retire if you want" I was tapped about 9 months ago to gut and re-do the entire warehouse, front office and owners office. I've done it alone and now he is working to have me set-up his inventory system. There has been discussions of me being offered a "job" with him doing more "office work" than low income rehabs. My business background is something I wanted to hang up.. but if this gentleman is grooming me for bigger things down the road, I'd be an idiot not to see where the path goes.