Work Beyond Scope of Work 4

[behindpropellers]

I need some advice on how to handle a dilema.

I'm contracting for company A. They have customer B.

Customer B has some work that Company A does not do. I "company C" can do the task.

How do I handles this?

Thanks

Tim

 

[DRWeig]

I had the exact situation just last month. If Company A is a much-valued client, I would approach them and ask if they would have a problem with me working directly for Customer B for this work. If they say OK, I'm good to go. If they want me to propose the work through them as subcontractor, also OK. It would be bad for Company A to be surprised when they find out I have contracted directly with their client.

All of my clients are valued highly. The ones who weren't are no longer clients.

That's how my company does it. Others may differ.



Best to you,

Goober Dave

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[MiketheEngineer]

Agree with DRW

 

[GregLocock]

I aree that's the best way to handle it, but if this out-of-scope task relies on them taking on extra liability it may suddenly get too hard.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[behindpropellers]

Greg,

Good point. No liability on this example but probably pertinent on other examples.

Tim

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Keep or get everyone on board - no problems other than may be liability!!

 

[behindpropellers]

Thanks for all of the advice.

I talked to my contact and they were not sure. So I sent company B the work for free with a note that I was not charging company A for the time. If they needed more work like it, they would need to work something out with the contact at company A.

Tim

 

[Ron]

Approach Company A and let them know you can do the work requested by Company B. Company A might want to expand their capability and take on Company B's new work with you doing the work. If they say they are not interested in expanding their scope, tell them you want to do Company B's work and that it will enhance both Company A and Company C in the eyes of Company B. It will. Then do it.

 

[behindpropellers]

Ron,

I can't agree more. The additional work I did on this project (for free) really made the company I'm contracting for look good. Unfortunately, they do not see the value in it. This example is one of the many reasons I'm working for myself now. It sure is a challenge but I know I have the right vision for where to go.

Thanks,

Tim