Got called out for my gate posts being undersized by a homeowner last Thursday

I had been setting 4x4 posts for 6 foot gates for years without any callbacks, but this guy measured them and said they were too small for the wind load. He made me swap to 6x6 posts and concrete them deeper, and honestly that gate has been solid through two storms now. Has anyone else had a customer's feedback actually improve their work long term?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor.paige1mo ago

Had a similar thing happen with a deck project last year. Client wanted extra blocking between the joists for a hot tub spot and I thought it was overkill but did it anyway. Turns out they were right that the flex was noticeable without it, and now I just throw in that extra blocking on every deck I build by default. Also had a lady insist on stainless steel screws for her pergola even though I told her coated ones would be fine, and sure enough a year later the coated ones on another job are starting to rust. Sometimes the customer just knows their own climate better than I do.

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hugo_jones1mo ago

Yeah nothing like having to eat your words a year later when the rust shows up. I've been there too, told a guy he didn't need to spend extra on composite decking for his little porch, and now I'm looking at the wood I used on another job with a face that says "wow that was dumb." The customer knows their own weather better than anyone, and sometimes they just have this weird sixth sense about what will hold up in their backyard. It's humbling but it's honestly made me listen more and argue less, even when I'm sure I'm right. Now I just nod and grab the stainless steel screws without saying a word.