Debate: Should we charge extra for old knob and tube removals or bundle it in the quote?

Last month I had a job in a 1920s house in Oak Park where the homeowner was cool with me pulling all the old knob and tube for an extra $400. But then last week, another customer got super upset when I added it as a separate line item halfway through the job. Some guys I know say always bundle it upfront to avoid sticker shock, others say itemize so they know what they're paying for. What do you guys do when you run into old wiring that needs to come out?

4 comments

4 Comments

wendyk5623d ago

You ever try bundling it and then they think you're padding the quote? I did that once on a bungalow rehab and the guy cross-checked every line with his buddy who's an electrician. Ended up having to pull it apart anyway. Now I just ask upfront when I first walk through if they know what they've got behind the walls. Saves the headache later when they see the number.

the_mila23d ago

Bundle it upfront every time. Less drama later.

williamm8222d ago

Bundle it and pray they don't actually look at the invoice.

brooke76722d ago

Bundle it upfront, but make sure you walk the job first and call out the old wiring on the spot. If you wait until you're already working, that's when they feel blindsided. I've had way fewer arguments since I started pointing at the knob and tube during the initial walkthrough and saying "this is coming out, here's the cost." @the_mila is right about less drama that way, but you have to show them what they're paying for or they'll think you're making stuff up. Just build that number into the total and move on.