I thought it might be helpful to start a thread on how not to get yourself ripped off when outsourcing work on your project (i.e. body, paint, motor, etc). It seems to me even if you get things in writing the lists are so vague that sometimes the company doing the work will change what was exactly agreed upon over the time the project starts to end.
My last build I was have a guy restoring my 68 Mustang coupe; we agreed to the price for the body work and I paid him in monthly installments; half way through he said it's not going to be enough and he needs twice as much (for which I could have bought a fully restored car for less). When I went to pick it up I found the work quality to be terrible and brought the car home after he agreed that the works wasn't right. Next thing I know he brought me to court for the rest of the money. The judge made made me pay almost as much in total for the original price of the project because he said my opinion didn't matter and I was not a car expert. The car was sold and I started over.
As a hobby/interest it seems really hard to find quality people to do your work and complete what they agree to. I went through 6 different people and 3 years just to get my engine rebuilt. I also think customer expectations and communications between the customer and builders are often problems. Especially when the builder gets insulted because you don't like the away they did something or they do somehting you did not agree too and they tell you they don't want to be micro-managed. Seems to me I am the customer and I'd like the car completed the way I want and it was agreed to. I'm in a customer service oriented business and it's always about keeping the customer happy.
Does anyone else have suggestions how to work better with builder / commpanies. Customers and Builders inputs would be great, I think it would be helpful for everyone. Let's try to keep this possitive and not mention names.
My last build I was have a guy restoring my 68 Mustang coupe; we agreed to the price for the body work and I paid him in monthly installments; half way through he said it's not going to be enough and he needs twice as much (for which I could have bought a fully restored car for less). When I went to pick it up I found the work quality to be terrible and brought the car home after he agreed that the works wasn't right. Next thing I know he brought me to court for the rest of the money. The judge made made me pay almost as much in total for the original price of the project because he said my opinion didn't matter and I was not a car expert. The car was sold and I started over.
As a hobby/interest it seems really hard to find quality people to do your work and complete what they agree to. I went through 6 different people and 3 years just to get my engine rebuilt. I also think customer expectations and communications between the customer and builders are often problems. Especially when the builder gets insulted because you don't like the away they did something or they do somehting you did not agree too and they tell you they don't want to be micro-managed. Seems to me I am the customer and I'd like the car completed the way I want and it was agreed to. I'm in a customer service oriented business and it's always about keeping the customer happy.
Does anyone else have suggestions how to work better with builder / commpanies. Customers and Builders inputs would be great, I think it would be helpful for everyone. Let's try to keep this possitive and not mention names.