[Heatho]

I've been a self-employed painter for 13 years and, because of diversification, only work 2-3 days(maybe 18-20 hours) per week and spend the rest of my time enjoying my kids and hobbies. I recently took on a job locally that i estimated would take 3 days to complete working 5-6 hours each of those days. It peeves the lady when I leave every day at 2:30 to go pick my kids up from school and be finished for the day. I know now that I should have told her before the job started, but would like some opinions anyway. Do we owe the people we work for an 8 hour day? One of the reasons I own my business is to set my own hours, have some freedom, etc.

 

[Paradigmzz]

As long as the job site is clean do as you want. If you are leaving a house in a construction zone then you need to remember the client doesn't want their house in shambles and that can be irritating. The sooner your done, the sooner they can get back to life as normal.

 

[wje]

If you are done in the three days you promised you'd be done I don't see what the big deal is. She'd be more irritated if you were done in two and charged for three I bet

 

[matt19422]

If you told her upfront your schedule for the work and estimated timeframe then no... which you didn't so she is pissed.

As a homeowner, I would want a painter to knock out the job and let me get back to my normal routine in my home.

 

[Steve Richards]

When I leave early, I like to tell 'em "I have two more stops to make today".

1. home
2. the couch

 

[Heatho]

I did tell her it would be complete in 3 days, but I never said it would be 3-8 hour days. The job could certainly be done in 2 working 8-10 hour days, but that's not how I want to live life. I did my share of long days and weekends in the past and have regrets because of missing out on things with my oldest child. I do leave the place clean every day.

 

[CApainter]

As someone who figuratively punches a clock for eight to nine hours a day, like basically the entire work force of the United States of America, I wouldn't care much for a self employed painter who thinks its OK to come and go as he pleases. Unfortunately, this is the motivation for most unemployable painters to become self employed.

 

[Steve Richards]

 

[Gough]

For the better part of 15 years, I kept that schedule as well, as do several other contractors that I know. I did, however, usually let the client know up front about my responsibilities for after- school child care. Our lead painter was in the same boat, so we'd sometimes alternate taking care of the kids.

 

[Steve Richards]

A big "WTG " to CA. An old fart who can still do "this" 40 hours a week...week in and week out.

When I do, I can tell just from how my body feels that I've worked an 8 hour day. A 40 hour week takes me a whole weekend to recover from.

I've been doing this for a long time, and hopefully for quite a few more years. I go home when I'm tired.
I see no sense in blowing my whole load at once.

..so to speak:whistling2:

 

[matt19422]

 

[wje]

I did tell her it would be complete in 3 days, but I never said it would be 3-8 hour days. The job could certainly be done in 2 working 8-10 hour days, but that's not how I want to live life. I did my share of long days and weekends in the past and have regrets because of missing out on things with my oldest child. I do leave the place clean every day.

Than don't sweat it. Sounds like the home owner likes to control people. She is YOUR customer. You call the shots not her.

 

[Dave Mac]

You handled it like you should, only thing you could do in the futur is tell them your aprox hours, you dont owe them a explanation of why you work those hours only thats your schedule, other then that you handled it like a pro

 

[Lazerline]

I myself leave when I'm ready, Sometimes I stay 12 hours sometimes I stay 5 but if I leave early I usually tell them it's because I have reached a point in the job that if I continue the next process I cant stop half way, I have to finish it and that would push me beyond the amount of time I have for that day. No one has ever questioned me on it.

 

[Steve Richards]

When I'm tired, I'm MUCH more apt to screw something up.

(yup even more so than when I'm not)

 

[wje]

When I'm tired, I'm MUCH more apt to screw something up. (yup even more so than when I'm not)

That brings up another subject... Would your customer rather let you nap in their home or see you leave early?

 

[ExcelPaintingCo]

Communication is key, and an important factor in providing top-notch customer service.

 

[Steve Richards]

That brings up another subject... Would your customer rather let you nap in their home or see you leave early?

LOL

or both

 

[wje]

Communication is key, and and important factor in providing top-notch customer service.

I agree, but they expressed already they would need 3 days to finish, and they are still on schedule.. As long as you show up on time, when you said you will I don't see the issue.

 

[READY TO ROLL]

At my age (58) I like to put in about 6 hours a day. With those hours I can work at at a fast pace without taking more then a couple 5 minute breaks. My body holds up well with those hours. Anymore then that and my back, feet, etc start to go. I tell the HO upfront the hours I work. I just tell em' that I gotta leave by 2pm to go over to another job. Once and awhile they do give me a little grief about it. When I was younger I sometimes worked 7 days a week but don't want to do that anymore. To all you younger guys, yes, It will catch up with you.