A few weeks ago w wrapped up a small job, with a remodeler, where we built and installed a melamine pantry, four medicine cabinets, a small vanity, and a linen cabinet.

Before any construction began, a sales order was provided, as were 3D renderings of the five pieces.

Then a change order arrive, and  I did not re-send the 3D renderings of the vanity, linen cabinet, or the medicine cabinet with wood doors as I mentioned in my July 24 blog, since no dimensions had changed.

But when we got there we had extra pieces. Since the job was fully installed, how did we handle it? Who should pay?

I figured I had three options. I could dig my heels in the sand, and insist the remodeler pay for all four medicine cabinets, which may have been a lesson in futility and would probably have soured any further working relationship.

I could just let it go and eat the cost without voicing my opinion of the situation.

Or the remodeler and I could try to reach an agreement where neither one of us feels like we were taken advantage of.

Once the job was fully installed, we discussed the situation and I quickly realized that he did not feel responsible for the mis-communication that lead to the extra cabinet.

Obviously, I felt like I was in the right, and felt like I had a history of e-mails to prove it. After a bit more discussion, I realized that it was getting nowhere fast, even in an attempt to get him to accept partial responsibility. I agreed to put this behind us and remove the charge for the extra medicine cabinet.

Did I just allow myself to get taken advantage of? Did I show good business decision making?

I look at it this way. I would rather eat the $280 cost associated with the extra cabinet, potentially preserve a business relationship, and move on to more profitable endeavors, than argue until I am blue in the face about how I am right and he is wrong.

In the future, if I do more business with this remodeler, I will know to be more careful. Plus, the approaching work week will present me with another slew of issues that I will have to deal with!