THE CAUTIOUS CLIENT

Evening Star, Issue 22807, 16 November 1937, Page 2

THE CAUTIOUS CLIENT

GUARANTEED ESTIMATE DESIRED I had a client once who suffered from an obsession that architects always tell prospective clients that work will cost far less than the true facts warrant in order to entrap such innocent building owners more readily (writes “ Astragal,” in the ‘ Architects’ Journal ’). This client, a business man, didn’t want anything of that kind; he wanted the real price with no nonsense about it, as well as the architect’s pledge word that a tender would fall within that stated price. Naturally he got both the price and the pledge. And a very careful—nay, generous—price it was. There were four contractors invited to tender, and the client wanted to be present when the tenders were opend. Ho got that, too.

Only one builder could be got on tbe phone the day tho tenders came in, and I shall never forget that client's face as three tenders were opened giving prices for 25 to 8 per cent, above the estimated cost. Tne fourth one wanted the job.