Damn contractors!

[GregWeld]

If a guy doesn't do what he SAYS he's going to do ---- what kind of a job do you think you'd get for your money.

There's good contractors out there -- you just need to find one.


Tuesday at 2:00 is Tuesday at 2:00.... not Wednesday "maybe".

[Sieg]

What's the scope and scale of the work? Reading between the lines one could assume they may be perceiving the project as more of a liability than opportunity?

[Northeast Rod Run]

Originally Posted by Sieg

What's the scope and scale of the work? Reading between the lines one could assume they may be perceiving the project as more of a liability than opportunity?

Pretty simple and straight forward stuff.

Somewhere between a 16' or 24' wide by 28' deep addition to the side of an existing garage. Keeping exact same roofline so there is no extra stuff there. Only need to put up three walls and take down the existing wall from the original garage. Pour a 4' foundation (code) and concrete floor. No electrical or interior work needed. All setbacks have plenty of room and no need for any variances and on a level lot

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by Northeast Rod Run

Pretty simple and straight forward stuff.

Somewhere between a 16' or 24' wide by 28' deep addition to the side of an existing garage. Keeping exact same roofline so there is no extra stuff there. Only need to put up three walls and take down the existing wall from the original garage. All setbacks have plenty of room and no need for any variances and on a level lot

Possible building permit issues?

Being in the floor covering business most my life in the Northwest I've dealt with the same "uncomprehendable" issues. Sometimes (20%) there's justifiable reasons, it's the 80% that's very frustrating.

Maybe try a local well established contrator supply business (not big-box Home Depot/Lowes) for a local contractor referal, they're naturally motivated to provide work for their better customers. Your local building permit department may also be a source.

[Track Junky]

A set of approved plans would be a good start. A contractor is not going to know how to build something without them due to needing to see the structurals. Typically your architect will draw up the plans and then send them to an engineer. Once the engineer has calculated the structs they are sent off to the city or county for approval. As long as the city or county has approved them a contractor now knows what is entailed in the build through the structural drawings. There is always a possibility that a soils tech may need to analyze the soils for proper basement/foundation build which could entail work above and beyond typical. The contractor could give you a base estimate on a typical build but that price is not set in stone until he has a set of structurals to look at.

[Northeast Rod Run]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

If a guy doesn't do what he SAYS he's going to do ---- what kind of a job do you think you'd get for your money.

I hear ya. At this point I'm not really looking for any of these guys to be my final contractor. I'm just looking for price points, so when I get a decent guy I'll know a little better about the final figures

The way I always look at anything that I purchase (be it goods or services), is that if you have a hard time getting a hold of them just to give them your money, how much harder is it going to be, if you have problems later, once you have already paid them?

[Northeast Rod Run]

One guy finally came by today and i only talked to him last week, but then again he is a friend. He already said he can't even think about touching it until mid-summer, but that is ok by me because I'm trying to pay cash for almost all of it and that just gives me more time to save.

I've told guys that I don't have plans yet, but they say it doesn't matter to them. Some said that they wanted to come by first to see the lot anyway. That way when they get the plans they already know the site. A couple of them have even said that they don't need any because they have their own software that they generate plans from.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by Northeast Rod Run

I've told guys that I don't have plans yet, but they say it doesn't matter to them. Some said that they wanted to come by first to see the lot anyway. That way when they get the plans they already know the site. A couple of them have even said that they don't need any because they have their own software that they generate plans from.

No, it doesn't matter to them but they didn't come running over to take a look though did they. I gaurantee if you had an approved set of plans they would be alot more inclined to pay you a visit.

[waynieZ]

Even with plans they don't always come. I gave a copy of stamped plans to a contractor and he still has them a year after it got built. we played phone and going to his current site tag, nothing ever came of it. I was also told if you pull the permit the contractor can leave the job while not complete. But if he pulls it he is responsible for it. You'll know when you talk to the right guy he will be interested and be in contact with you in an acceptable time frame..

[John510]

Go on yelp and find a good one. You can tell by the reviews before you even call if they will be great or suck.