[Fine Edge]

I'm building a set of brick steps with a bullnose tread commonly found around the edges of a pool. Had rise / run figured dead on when customer wanted lights installed by himself. No problem.
We left some room for him to install his conduit and lights and told him we'd be back to finish when he was through. Well, he bought lights that were taller than the rise we had already figured but he insisted they would work. Told him he's gonna have a big mortar joint. No biggie. Start building again only to have him add tile at top of steps. Messing up my rise again!
Finally finish first step ( 10' long ) and second step when he actually calls me and told me he put a laser on my set of steps and there were differences of 1/16" - 1/8" between certain bullnose pieces.
Am I wrong to assume that this guy is too damn picky?
It's a set of steps for Pete's sake and I built them with a string line, level and transit.
The one problem I'm having is keeping the previous coping from moving when installing the next one because with his large lights, I need a 3/4" mortar joint at least.

[Dragonfly]

Just tell him that it is within industry standards and that all bricks have slight variations in thickness.

[PSUscaper]

Get the job finished as fast a possible and get out of there. Then keep it in your mind for the rest of your life that you do not 'work with' people on projects.

If you have taken a deposit, or have a payment schedule stating you get x dollars at each completed point, you may want to tell the customer straight out that you are going to leave if he doesn't stay out of your way. It may be worth just taking a smaller loss now than stick around, waste more and more time, and take a bigger loss later.

[Fine Edge]

Good point. His next project for us after the steps will be an outdoor kitchen / bar that we have already designed but I know he's going to want to do the plumbing, electrical, fixtures.
I decided yesterday that I'm not really going to miss not doing that kitchen - too much headache.

[Bill Schwab]

The best way to handle that is to produce a change order for every thing different about the steps from the time you started until the end result the client wants. When they see what all those changes cost from the administration charges to the field changes, they typically change their mind about how they want them built.
Along with change orders, do what Penn says.

[Pelican]

I agree with pennscapes, I either do the whole job or I don't do it at all. How much time did you lose waiting for him to do his part? And then compensating for his mistakes? The best work around is only as good as the worst part of it, you're putting your reputation in his hands.......

[P-Train]

I agree with all the above.

Get a good line of communication with the client about where you stand on your work you signed vs. all his intrusions.

Do a good job and get out fast.

Reminds me of a waterfall project that a homeowner contracted me to do. He wanted a professional job by my company but also wanted it to be a father/son ‘hands on’ experience. I went around and around with the ‘ I don’t think it’s a good idea’ routine.
The dynamic duo really sucked and the father rolled a 200 lb. boulder over his ankle.

It’s just best that customers stay out of the line of fire.

[mdvaden]

Was his laser certified for
'weights and measures"?