You fitted first fix and said you would return after plaster. That return was in the job. They then delayed the plaster by three weeks and want you tomorrow morning between school runs. The second trip still exists. The diary does not owe them a hole.
Whose trip is it?
| Reason | In the original quote? |
|---|---|
| You planned two visits (first / second fix) | Yes — write both |
| Your snag / your mistake | Yes — you go back |
| They were not ready / no access | No — abortive visit + new booking |
| Materials they were meant to buy | No — wait or you supply at extra |
| They added work after you left | No — new extra, maybe new visit |
If the quote is one visit and you know plaster needs a week, write “second visit included after plaster” or you will argue about whether it was obvious. Obvious to you is not on the paper.
First visit as quoted. Second visit to second-fix after your plasterer is done — included if I’m booked with 5 days’ notice. If I turn up and it isn’t ready, the abortive visit is £70 and we rebook.
What people miss
Assuming a two-trip job is one price with infinite returns. Two trips means two, not seven “quick pops”.
Waiting in the van because they went to Tesco. That is an abortive visit. Price it or leave and rebook.
Squeezing the return on a Saturday for free. If the return is theirs, it takes a slot. Slot has a rate.
No notice window. “Come tomorrow” after you filled the week is a no, or a premium.
Related guides
FAQ
- Paint / plaster dry time?
- Build it into the plan and the quote. A drying wait is not a surprise second job unless they delayed it.
- I forgot a fitting.
- Your trip. Do not charge them for your list.
- They want evenings only for the return.
- That is out-of-hours on a second visit. Price both facts.
- How much notice?
- Write it. Five working days is enough for most domestic second visits. Same-day is a different product.
