You wouldn't make it past the introductory meeting.
Bad Idea? Home Construction
- Thread starter Iamchris
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Win,Win.
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4 years ago I had a room added to my house, two years ago a new roof, last years all new windows. I paid cash when they were done. No complaints on either side. I gave two guys cash up front for some work years ago. They never came back and I did it myself. Lesson learned.
A profesional has the crew and resources to work out of his pocket not yours. If they can't trust me to pay as agreed then we are not a good fit.
My 85 year old neighbor had a stand alone garage built and they reamed him good. He paid almost double of the orginal agreed price. When he told me about it I was pissed, they just advantage of a nice old man.
Check reviews and ask for references. And do your homework. I have to work for my money so I expect the guy I hand it to to do the same.
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A profesional has the crew and resources to work out of his pocket not yours. If they can't trust me to pay as agreed then we are not a good fit.
My 85 year old neighbor had a stand alone garage built and they reamed him good. He paid almost double of the orginal agreed price. When he told me about it I was pissed, they just advantage of a nice old man.
Check reviews and ask for references. And do your homework. I have to work for my money so I expect the guy I hand it to to do the same.
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Lol sounds like the high price was the only accurate one. When you take the low price this is what you get. Good luck.
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Those groups are full of handimen. Not likely to find a properly licensed and insured contractor.
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Sorry. I’m not a bank and I’m not financing your projects. Go Kick rocks.
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We are getting quotes to remodel our home in the 80-95k range. None of the people required a deposit.
I would watch a few videos on YouTube to see what the job you’re doing entails. See if you think it would be out of your comfort to do it or not.
I would watch a few videos on YouTube to see what the job you’re doing entails. See if you think it would be out of your comfort to do it or not.
I would happily pay 80-95k for a house remodel... dude was going to have me in for close to 100K before he was done and I wasnt getting a home remodel.
I think its kind of funny because you can point out the contractors when they respond before knowing they are contractors. I'm not knocking you guys... just saying, you come to the defense immediately.
When you constantly hear how anyone can learn from YouTube what has taken me years and years in the field and classroom to learn, then add in how over priced contractors are it gets old. I’m not saying what I do is rocket science but it can certainly become complicated.
As for pricing yeah it can be expensive. A reputable company sending a quality journeyman making 80/90k in a 40k service truck with 15k of tools and materials, do the math.
If you guys want to hire a chuck in a truck type tradesman go right ahead. But don’t complain that they don’t show up, or leave half way done, or can’t finish the job. If you want a quality job done on time in a clean and professional manner by a well run company than expect to pay what that is worth.
Half the time I get people saying I’m too expensive I find they’re comparing me to a Craigslist trunk slammer. When given the opportunity to show how I can offer a better value for their money I often make the sale.
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Let your work speak for itself. Shouldn't need to go on a forum and put people down because someone is suggesting diy. I work for a multi million dollar environmental contractor. We do not require deposits. We offer net 30 terms. We rarely get burned. We are expensive due to high overhead. Our industry requires a lot of training and the state requirements are pretty intense. The average Joe has no idea what we have to do for what one considers a simple job.
Construction is kind of a 3 headed monster. Framing, finish work and painting. A great finish carpenter can hide a bad framer and a great painter can hide a poor finish guy. Most times, you won't find a one stop shop that is great at everything. It's better to specialize in one thing than be ok at a bunch imo. Get referrals and call them. Ask lots of questions. If a contractor is afraid to give referrals, it's for a reason.
Construction is kind of a 3 headed monster. Framing, finish work and painting. A great finish carpenter can hide a bad framer and a great painter can hide a poor finish guy. Most times, you won't find a one stop shop that is great at everything. It's better to specialize in one thing than be ok at a bunch imo. Get referrals and call them. Ask lots of questions. If a contractor is afraid to give referrals, it's for a reason.
A simple credit check will let you know if people pay their bills. Poor credit ratings could be a reason to require a deposit, as a very good score would not. If someone asked me for a large deposit I would recommend they check my references, as I would be checking theirs. This would prevent bad feelings on both sides. If we disagree that's fine we both move on, we may work together on a future project, no point in burning the bridge.
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Well I guess I shouldnt say home remodel. We are just getting our master bath, guest bath, pool bathroom and laundry room done.
A full on remodel would probably be in the 200k range for us total.
Not sure what you mean about the pointing out contractors part. Just was stating my experience so far.
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Home remodels can be expensive. My neighbor redid his kitchen last year and it cost him around $40,000! I've had contractors at our home and some have been good and others not so good. And contractors are only as good as their last job. They might have done great work in the past but for various reasons might not be good the next time around.
I did pick up skills for myself along the way and can now do a substantial amount of electrical and carpentry on my own. I leave masonry work and plumbing to the experts.
Electrical seemed daunting at first but once you get the hang of it you get more comfortable. I did some work side by side with a master electrician who's done electrical work in auto factories and nuclear power plants and that really helped to get me going.
I test all wires even after I have turned off the circuit breakers before working on them. And if I am adding new electrical I start at the new boxes and work my way back to the panel. Working on dead wires takes away all the pressure and you can take your time to do it right.
Once I am ready to wire the new circuit in the panel I switch off the main breaker but still use caution because the service wire feeding the panel is still hot! Some electricians will add new circuit breakers without shutting down the panel - I'm not that brave lol!
I did pick up skills for myself along the way and can now do a substantial amount of electrical and carpentry on my own. I leave masonry work and plumbing to the experts.
Electrical seemed daunting at first but once you get the hang of it you get more comfortable. I did some work side by side with a master electrician who's done electrical work in auto factories and nuclear power plants and that really helped to get me going.
I test all wires even after I have turned off the circuit breakers before working on them. And if I am adding new electrical I start at the new boxes and work my way back to the panel. Working on dead wires takes away all the pressure and you can take your time to do it right.
Once I am ready to wire the new circuit in the panel I switch off the main breaker but still use caution because the service wire feeding the panel is still hot! Some electricians will add new circuit breakers without shutting down the panel - I'm not that brave lol!
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So much arm chair BS in here. Obviously most don't know what the **** they are talking about. Not one mention of construction loans, terms of contract, AIA contracts or retention. Been doing this for 40 years class A residential and commercial. Small jobs just aren't worth the aggravation.
The job the op speaks of, is not a one day job done right.
Let's say this was an older house built before 1978. It is illegal in all 50 states to do any such cutting without first doing lead testing. This must be done by someone certified to do so. I am certified. The work must also been done by someone certified.
Once that is done before you even bid the job to see if you have to follow lead safe procedures. Even if testing is waived proper curtain containment of area is usually needed for demo and drywall/ plaster repair. Not to do so makes a dusty mess.
Minimal three visits/days to do this job.
First day. Set up 6 mil plastic curtains with double layers on floor.
Demo and reframing to include drywall and flexible corner bead or prefabricated arch. Apply 20 min speed coat. Tear down curtain if in major corridor.
Second day. Protect floor only skim coat. If good enough this will be the final coat. No dust should occur. Clean up
Third day. Set up curtains and protect floor. Sand and finish tie in of base. Paint in curtain tent if possible. Clean up.
Any electrical just adds more time or one more day usually, due to coordination.
I work for people that understand this procedure and expect it. I'll ask before even visiting what they expect. Most people don't have any idea of the laws or the correct procedures, even for a small job like this.
If you don't want to pay to do it right. DIY.
Most contractors in the know, won't do such a job just because most homeowners don't want to pay what it costs to do it right. I only work for the smart customer and usually with their money. AIA is another matter, but believe me that all bidders add minimal 30 percent to cost or they will be noncompetitive shortly.
I love my work, shit talk about contractors is like comparing little league to pros. WTF
The job the op speaks of, is not a one day job done right.
Let's say this was an older house built before 1978. It is illegal in all 50 states to do any such cutting without first doing lead testing. This must be done by someone certified to do so. I am certified. The work must also been done by someone certified.
Once that is done before you even bid the job to see if you have to follow lead safe procedures. Even if testing is waived proper curtain containment of area is usually needed for demo and drywall/ plaster repair. Not to do so makes a dusty mess.
Minimal three visits/days to do this job.
First day. Set up 6 mil plastic curtains with double layers on floor.
Demo and reframing to include drywall and flexible corner bead or prefabricated arch. Apply 20 min speed coat. Tear down curtain if in major corridor.
Second day. Protect floor only skim coat. If good enough this will be the final coat. No dust should occur. Clean up
Third day. Set up curtains and protect floor. Sand and finish tie in of base. Paint in curtain tent if possible. Clean up.
Any electrical just adds more time or one more day usually, due to coordination.
I work for people that understand this procedure and expect it. I'll ask before even visiting what they expect. Most people don't have any idea of the laws or the correct procedures, even for a small job like this.
If you don't want to pay to do it right. DIY.
Most contractors in the know, won't do such a job just because most homeowners don't want to pay what it costs to do it right. I only work for the smart customer and usually with their money. AIA is another matter, but believe me that all bidders add minimal 30 percent to cost or they will be noncompetitive shortly.
I love my work, shit talk about contractors is like comparing little league to pros. WTF
I had 15 yards of concrete work done (RV parking pad) 2 weeks ago.
The “pros” wanted a deposit (lol, no) and close to $6k to do the work.
Lucky me, I found a guy just looking to make some extra cash and pay his 3 finish men a decent wage and I got the whole project done for $3500. No deposit. He paid for both trucks of mud up front.
They knocked it all out in 1 day....
Would the $6k job have been “better?” Maybe, but I’m absolutely tickled with how it came out and I tipped everyone on the job $100 each at the end of the day.
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The “pros” wanted a deposit (lol, no) and close to $6k to do the work.
Lucky me, I found a guy just looking to make some extra cash and pay his 3 finish men a decent wage and I got the whole project done for $3500. No deposit. He paid for both trucks of mud up front.
They knocked it all out in 1 day....
Would the $6k job have been “better?” Maybe, but I’m absolutely tickled with how it came out and I tipped everyone on the job $100 each at the end of the day.
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Unfortunately, the market for”home improvements” is MASSIVE.
Also, unfortunately...”Professional Contractors”...are, in my opinion, <1% of the guys out here swing in’ a hammer driving a truck.
Think of how many guys “work on cars”...then think how many you trust to work on your car?
BEWARE of “contractors”...and BEWARE even MORE for ANYONE wanting $ up front.
my $0.02
Also, unfortunately...”Professional Contractors”...are, in my opinion, <1% of the guys out here swing in’ a hammer driving a truck.
Think of how many guys “work on cars”...then think how many you trust to work on your car?
BEWARE of “contractors”...and BEWARE even MORE for ANYONE wanting $ up front.
my $0.02
Half the time the deposit is a signal for a scam. Did that once. Got ripped off. Called the cops and they explained the scam: since it’s an unpaid (not paid in full contract) I have no recourse.
Lucky for me, I tracked the guys family down based on a few things he said to me. They drug his ass back and got the concrete poured and landscaping done.
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Lucky for me, I tracked the guys family down based on a few things he said to me. They drug his ass back and got the concrete poured and landscaping done.
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Kudos to you and wise move! I had my wife's raised planter box garden dug, formed and poured then capped in brick for $1200 because I give this guy so much work! Still waiting on stamped concrete patio, but rain has been a bitch here.
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I look at it as what’s your free time worth? Let’s say $100 an hour, and you feel it will take you 40 hours to do the job. So $4K. If you get a bid for less than that I say it’s a no brainer.
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