the prospect that i posted about several weeks back, the one that appeared to be a "gov't" type job: http://www.network54.com/Forum/228309/thread/1175802399/

they only wanted the lowest bid like i stated.

so i get a call 3 days ago from the decision maker saying i got the job. i was not relishing those chairs and bid them on the "high" side (tongue in cheek) cause i didn't want to do them. apparently $5 isn't on the "high" side lol.

so anyways, i go there yesterday to measure the place up and make sure it IS actually 13,000 sq.ft. like they claim (something i shoulda did in the 1st place right...)

surprise surprise, it comes out to be 20,000 sq.ft.

"OK, well maybe they didn't count all the bookshelves", i says. so deduct the bookshelves (which i normally would include), and this brings the measurement down to 18,500 sq.ft. their excuse was that, "some contractor 7 years ago ran around with his "roll wheel" tape and gave them that number and noone has ever complained since".

i sent an updated quote and am kinda hoping i don't get the job. the vast difference in size left a bad taste in my mouth.

so just a reminder to the noobs like me, always measure and never "trust" the measurements they give you! doing so woulda cost me $865

thanx --- Derek.

i can't see how i'll get it now.

i feel bad for the poor soul that "wins" it.

you have won the the job with your NEW bid. ARE YOU READY? lol

Thanks
Your Servant Alex

let's hope not

Derek,

If you re-bid with the appropriate square footage, at the appropriate price- why do you not want the job?

More square footage = more profit!!!!!!!!

Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

That many chairs does a number on your back. I feel for you Derek....I hope you didn't get the job, also.

Derek,
Interesting point. As a former custodial supervisor/contract administrator for the state of MO, it made me think. I don't ever recall anyone ever checking the square footage we supplied. Numerous walk thrus, pre bid meetings, etc. No one ever checked, we were always extremely heavy with info, definitions, specs for equipment, etc. so maybe they just thought we had the measurements accurate. All services were bid by the square foot and liquidated damages were assessed by the square foot, by the day.
Never really occurred to me at the time to misrepresent, the numbers, it was too difficult to get qualified, reliable service providers. Guess I could have saved the taxpayers more money.
Do you feel the account purposely misrepresented the info for "gain"? Do you feel you can now trust them, especially if there are any future issues? Does this lack of accurate measurements/numbers impugn their credibility and your regard for them? Had the buyer in purchasing ever even been to the facility during the preparation of the RFP? What is the turnaround time for being paid? Ours ranged from 6 to 12 weeks, always felt bad for the contractor having to carry the payroll, etc. costs until they got paid $25,000 to $35,000 gets kind of heavy unless they are financially prepared. Good luck.

Brian, yes i learnt a lesson: i don't like upholstery so why did i bid it so low? foolishness. but if they accept the new bid then that'll teach me.

Dave, i am not 100% sure if they misrepresented or not. the contact is not the nicest person to deal with, talks to me as if they are above me and could care less. and the perfectly round # of "13,000 sq.ft." is a lil to perfect...

this person also stated on the phone that the facility is "20,000 sq.ft. in total" which is completely incorrect. there is over 20k in carpet alone, not including hard surface areas. the person's response was, "i don't know what to tell ya". they showed no interest in knowing the ACTUAL measurements to ever correct for future bids. so has it made me question their credibility and my regard for them as a group, absolutely. i was the one who offered the only obvious answer - rebid the job.

just don't like it when ppl might think they can pull a fast one over on ya...but who of us does.

thanx for the replies fellas. hope 1 or 2 have learned from this lol...don't bid too low cause ya just might have to do the job --- Derek.