‘I’m gonna need a DeWalt drill’: Oklahoma contractor says client tried to pay just for labor—so he pulls an Uno Reverse
A contractor on TikTok has inspired debate after asking whether he was in the wrong for the way he handled a client’s request.
In his video, which has garnered over 20,500 views, the owner of M & M Landscaping (@mmlandscapinglawncare) describes what he calls “a crazy phone call” he just had.
What Did the Client Ask For?
“Her and her husband, they had me on speaker, and they wanted to know if I would install a fence,” the contractor explains.
He says he initially agreed and got the dimensions, which were around 140 feet.
They had a request, however. “Then they come up and said, ‘Well, if we’ve got everything, can you just supply the labor?’”
“Sure, not a problem,” he told them. “I’m gonna need fence panels… screws… brackets…’ And I said, ‘I’m also gonna need an auger.’” For context, an auger is a heavy-duty drilling tool.
“Don’t you have an auger?” the woman asked.
“I’ve got one, but if I’m only doing labor, I’m not gonna use mine,” he told her.
The contractor says he also informed the woman that he’ll need a DeWalt drill, which is a specific power tool brand.
The woman asked him again, “Don’t you have a drill?”
He reiterated, “Yeah, I’ve got a drill, but I’m not gonna use it on your fence because you want me just to supply labor. I’m not gonna use any of my tools, ma’am.”
The woman didn’t like the response. “She kind of got mad at me, and I don’t understand why,” he says. “What’s the problem? She asked for labor only. Was I wrong?”
Commenters Think He Might Be in the Wrong
In the comments section, viewers were split. Some thought that tools should have been provided, while others believed he was in the right.
“Yes you’re wrong,” one user wrote. “They’re supplying materials. You supply labor and everything except materials but you still charge accordingly.”
The contractor responded, “So I lay the job out I do everything my knowledge my tools if I wanted to work by the hour I would work for someone not myself.”
“I understand your point. However, the homeowner actually wanted to know if they bought the material, how much would YOU charge to install their fence?” another explained. “Would you charge $1200, $1800, $2400, $3000? It’s easy to alienate customers if that is your goal.”
“Hell no you’re not wrong,” a third said. “People don’t understand.”
Should a Fencing Contractor Supply Their Own Tools?
There’s no right or wrong answer to this question, as it largely depends on the agreement between the contractor and the client.
However, one of the major benefits of hiring a professional to install your fence is the fact that you likely won’t have to buy or borrow power tools you may be unfamiliar with. Generally, you also wouldn’t have to deal with the common DIY aspects of handling a home project yourself.
On the other hand, contractors often profit from materials sourced for a job. They may charge for the time spent researching, ordering, and transporting those materials to the property. Additionally, a contractor may receive discounts on certain materials and add a markup to the final client price.
@mmlandscapinglawncare Crazy phone call. #mmlandscapinglawncare #lawntok #lawncare #landscaping #fyp ♬ original sound – mmlandscapinglawncare
The Mary Sue has reached out to @mmlandscapinglawncare via contact form for comment and additional information.
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