Salesman brings in a blueprint – wants me to do roof trusses for this 1.5 story house. GC didn’t have us bid the thing, so we’ve never seen it before. Salesman says there are some “bugs” to work out. I cringe when I see the print was drawn by a kitchen design center. (“Nails” probably knows which one)
Start doing a layout and promptly realize the “bugs” are pretty big ones. The 2nd floor plan shows 8′ walls where the evelvation shows fascia lines at the first floor level – In 3 different places. Kinda hard to have adequate headroom on the 2nd floor when the roof is about ankle high.
So I call the salesman and relay this info to him. He calls our customer, and tells them what I said. First thing the customer wants to know is: “Will this affect when my trusses are gonna get here?” Turns out he now has all the first floor walls framed, and is working on the 2nd floor deck. No sense planning ahead, I guess.
Customer and salesman come up with a possible solution, and I work on it. I have to produce a new layout, complete with 3D views so customer can review. I come up with it, and send it to them. I call to make sure the stuff had come through, and the customer wants to know how soon he’s getting trusses. But he doesn’t like the elevation I’ve come up with.
So it’s back to drawing more elevations (For free) and trying to explain why it won’t work as drawn. More meetings with salesman and customer to try to figure out a solution. No mention of going back to the moron who drew the dumb thing in the first place and having them fix the problem.
So today I get another sketch that I’m supposed to work on. I get to do another elevation drawing and some 3D views again, even though what they’ve proposed won’t work. Second floor walls are now framed and sitting there in the weather. GC blames us for holding him up.
Last Friday he said he wanted trusses delivered Tuesday, even though we still have no idea what the freakin’ house is supposed to look like.
“So when am I gonna get my trusses?”
I swear if he asks me one more time I’m gonna drive up there and smack him.
Thanks for lettin’ me vent a bit………………
God must love stupid people he made so many.
Replies
boss- I know you've heard it before but it's true. "If it was easy everyone would be doing it".
Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
Time to suggest that :
a) They go back to the original planners to correct the problem. When they come up with a workable plan you will be glad to build it. This isn't a very particle suggestion but In a truly just universe, yea right, this is what would happen.
b) Everyone have a skull session on site with you, the GC, the HO and, if possible, the original roof planners. Have all the plans, story sticks, etcetera, necessary to make your point. Bring a second. Even if it is your neighbor who has no experience. Stuff him in a flannel shirt and a nail bag and tell him to shut up. He's there to nod, smile, witness and hold the dummy end of a tape.
If you intend to pull this out and have everyone happy this is the, IMHO, the essential step. Until everyone sees, understands and gets it at gut level that their dream home, as drawn, is tragically flawed they will be in denial. Parents can't imagine that their kid is not perfect. Once they accept this fact and understand that you have spent considerable amounts of time, with no guarantee of payment, on their behalf trying to fix it they will come to your side and be easier to work with. If they don't ... walk.
c) Another contractor take the job. Bow out as gracefully as possible. Situations such as this don't tend to work out in your favor and anything that goes wrong, as your present experience shows, will be blamed on you.
This look to me like a classic mental/ emotional lag situation. Their minds know that they were in trouble when the plans were drafted originally and that you are working on a solution in a difficult situation. Their emotions, hearts, were committed to a smooth construction process. When they received the original, unworkable, plans their hearts checked that step off the list in the process.
Your pointing out the hidden problem has not registered emotionally. Because of this you appear to be the problem. To them they were doing fine until you got involved. They are invested in the dream of a time line. You insistence on practical matters is in conflict with this dream. They are more invested in the dream than they are in you. Woe be to those interfering with the dream.
- Maybe some combination of the above. That the GC could, not spot the problem, not understand the problem and be centered on his imaginary time line as opposed to actually having a workable plan before building speaks volumes as to his abilities. Sounds to me that he might not have enough experience or had been shielded by a more seasoned foreman or boss before this job. Is this why there was no bid? A history of busted jobs?
You shouldn't be caught in the middle this way. He is the one who should be heaping on the apologies to the HO about not catching the problem. He should be demonstrating confidence in your abilities and assuring the HO that these situations are a part of the normal construction process.
Boss,
Why do I feel this story will end up with "got a set of trusses for sale, cheap!" Sorry couldn't resist.
Of course, I'm the one with a 30' x 50' slab in place... Plan was a two story shop, but with current finances (wife was laid off the day after we closed on the new house in June, old house is on the market) shop is on hold. Thinking of building the walls to keep the machines out of the elements, and BOLTING a set of roof joist in place, roofing with stamped steel. Keeps things dry for a year, later take the steel off... and "raise the roof" for the second story (roof is a 6:12 gable -- no snow here!).
Tom
"got a set of trusses for sale, cheap!"
No, it probably won't. I often get my butt in hot water for pressing customers for more info so I can get everything right BEFORE the trusses are shipped. Contractors just seem to want everything there fast, cheap, and right. But getting them right takes time and attention to detail - Not something they seem to have much patience for.
Trusses like these aren't the kind you'd want for a shop anyway. You're looking at 12/12 an 16/12 tail bearing snubbed trusses and it's a hip roof to boot.
Hope your shop goes together well..........
Sometimes I wish life had subtitles.
Unreasonable customers never get more reasonable but you can make them want to get further away.
They SHOULD be paying the designer to do his work right. Like Joe said, you definitely need the signoff before these go into production. This sounds like one that should be stick framed anyway, IMO
You could end up like on your brothers faux midwest garage - do all the design for free and get all the blame for free too!
My sympathies, Sir.Excellence is its own reward!
Lousy situation. But you already knew that.
If your boss won't support you, at the risk of your own self respect, you could act as a mindless drone. Maybe that's what he wants. Build them as drawn. If they aren't right it's the GCs problem. This isn't very constructive but it remains an option. By not going this route you maintain your self respect and the high ground.
Other than that point all I can suggest is that you batten down the hatches and ride this out. Don't accept any blame but don't get defensive. While they go on about how you delayed the job just nod and smile through clenched teeth. After a month or two of this therapy might be a good idea.
Sounds like your burned out on the job situation. Knowing you have options makes negotiating with a superior easier. Start looking for a better position. When you have one on the hook confront your boss about the present job and how it should be restructured. Getting into the field and having direct contact with GCs and HOs would be a start.
From what you have said it sounds like you might be overqualified for your position. Maybe company liason or trouble shooter would be a better fit. If the position is not existent they sound like they could use one. You obviously know and care about your job. If the company can't handle that maybe some other will. Even if you don't immediately find a job looking may keep things in perspective and keep your mind off the frustration of your situation.
It's tea and sympathy while playing heads up and trying to adapting your job to you. If the job won't change and you can find a better one give notice and move out. Until it falls off the fence one way or the other all you can do is bide your time and keep looking. This seems to be the strategy for the modern American worker no matter the field.
To use a line from the demons thread....
"Sorry can't deliver the trusses today, The voices in my head are telling me to clean ALL the guns today!" ;)
4Lorn1,
Good answer.
Rick
While I agree with most of your suggestions, I don't think they'll work.
I can't meet with the H/O or GC - I'm not allowed out of the office 99.9% of the time. (Why do you think I post here so much?)
I'm sorta stuck, and just generally pissed off, as I've been in this situation many times before. I'm kinda burned out on the whole truss business.
If they go back to the original planners, they would have to pay them to get the problem corrected. We fix problems for "free". (Not my choice) Plus the CAD jockeys never get in a rush about anything. Truss companies are strictly crisis management, and the GCs think they can push us around. (Which often works)
I wish bowing out was an option - I also have no choice or input there. I don't get to pick which jobs I design, or for what customers. I wish I did have a choice, but someone else doles out the work.
I think you're right about the "mental lag" thing. Everything was going smoothly until I screwed it up by pointing out it was impossible the way it was drawn. I've actually LOST jobs before when mistakes in the prints were pointed out.
I have no idea why the job was not bid - Some contractors just square foot price stuff in order to save time. This particular contractor has been around quite a while - Don't know why he didn't realize there were problems.
I just emailed the GC some more pictures. He'll probably be calling in a day or 2 wanting more changes and wanting to know when the trusses are coming.
If you're happy and you know it see a shrink.
>> I've actually LOST jobs before when mistakes in the prints were pointed out.
This sounds like the ideal solution to me. Just keep pointing out why the trusses they're asking for won't work until they either go away or stumble across an approach that will work. If your boss overrules you, you've got worse problems than idiot homeowners or idiot contractors.
My two cents on the situation:
"Plans aren't important. Planning is." -General Eisenhower
-M
Well, since Boss didn't like this answer, I'll take it. <G>
I've got almost the same problem brewing right now. (SSDJ)
I used to wonder how I got myself into this stuff. Now I know HOW I do it, I just gotta figure out why.
DRC
Boss,
View Image
I am wondering why you are designing this house, thats not your job, is it?
Back away if you can..............even if you would like to see it done right!
BH, I think it obvious that this customer needs a set of 'mobius trusses' from your 'MC Escher' collection - deliver along with a small singularity just large enough to warp the local space-time continuum so that standard geometry rules no longer apply - interestingly, if your singularity is oriented appropriately, it should be possible to deliver the trusses yesterday - - charge accordingly -
Yes, of course we have customers like this. In fact it is one of the reasons that people come to us. They have a sketch on a napkin or a stock plan and know that we can modify it, get an engineer's stamp on it and build their dream. We usually can't do it on their budget or on their schedule, but if they really want it, they pay and wait. It sounds like you are doing the same. Be calm. Be patient. You are not a shrink and don't have to take on the gc's personal problems, only his trusses. The next customer will be a piece of cake. If all your customers are this bad (or seem to be), it is time for a new job.
They arent dealing with your problems. Many times this is where a rep is needed to visit the job site with all involved present . Maybe your boss with you. Its his call. I would definately run this by him over a cup of coffee. Seems this one has you bothered . If I were your boss, I would want in on this one , to decide how I wanted this handled. He might choose to spend the limits to make all happy , and he might not want any more time involved , or something between. Good luck .
Tim Mooney
Good poijnt, it sounds like a job for the company salesman who threw it in your lap to set up some communications.Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks to all of you for the suggestions and offers of support.
Don't exactly know whow this one is going to turn out. We're getting closer to a solution - It just takes time.
I'm pretty frustrated with my job in general - Sick of the "crisis management" mentality. This guy HAS to have his trusses right away. Then that guy HAS to have his bid. And I HAVE to get the stuff ready for the plant immediately. We always have too much work, not enough work, or we're not getting it done fast enough or whatever.
I need a simpler job with less pressure, and without everyone screaming that they want the impossible done right away. I'm thinking of becoming a GC........
That last comment was a joke, just in case you weren't sure.
There's a job openning for a vegetable...
;)
You are definitely burning out. Time for something to re-vitalize you but the grass isn't always greenerExcellence is its own reward!
sounds like a situation where this guy needs Home Depot Trusses they have in isle 12......... that way he can have them today.........
"I need a simpler job with less pressure, and without everyone screaming that they want the impossible done right away."
I think that you should become self-employeed. You could start a spec home contracting business.
"You could start a spec home contracting business."
Guess I asked for that one, huh ???
I feel so much better since I've given up hope.
Hey my friend.........I dealt with the kitchen design center ONCE. told every one to go to Caditect they are in the whole house design bussiness.Other posters here must be asking them selves , how did they get permits,whereis the "archy" stamp and how did they establish an accurate bid without getting the roof package bid?Only thing I can think of is telling all involved you will not build a truss that won't work or maybe dangerous , and most of all won't satisfy the owner,and you are reserving that right as a proffesional to make that call. You are confronted with what I call the Magic Wand syndrome, you know , move that house over 6in. this afternoon. The word on the street is you've got it together , so hang in there, show them what you're made of and above all "be kind to yourself"
Hiya Nails -
"The word on the street is you've got it together"
What, you've been checking up on me ??? Don't believe all that stuff they say about me - Even if some of it's true................(-:
Just FYI - Keith from Caditect sold his business, and now works for us. He's in training right now, and will be working at the Springfield location. (The old Vredenburgh plant)
I'm as confused as a breast fed baby in a topless bar.
Well, scratch Keith coming to work for us.
Turns out he took a job elsewhere. (Don't know where yet)
I'd be interested to know if you happen to hear any gossip.........
Moody bitch seeks nice guy for love-hate relationship.
"Moody bitch seeks nice guy for love-hate relationship"
Mrs jet wants to know if you're a nice guy.
Yes.
Er,............No
.
Maybe it would be best if your Wife emailed mine and asked her....................(-:
Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.
ROFLMFAO
Does it often happen that this kind of mess doesn't get properly solved at the paper stage, and you end up with a bunch of trusses that simply can't be made to work? Wouldn't that sort of problem get management's attention so that ever afterward you could say "If we don't get this straightened out, it'll turn out just like the XYZ job back in '02!"
We had a TV movie called "Murder by Moonlight" back in 1989 that went so far wrong that to this day it's kind the gold standard for disaster. I can always get them to listen by saying "This is going to turn out like that effing moon show."
-- J.S.
"Murder by Moonlight"- - went so far wrong
would love to hear a few details.... - please? -
> would love to hear a few details.... - please? -
Well, ....
They had to have this very expensive English composer. The big impressive main title theme he turned in is actually a very slow, pompous version of "Three Blind Mice" -- all the way through "see how they run."
The miniatures absolutely had to be done by this guy that the director wanted. They were supposed to be mining equipment working on the moon in 2006. They looked like tonka toys pulled by strings in slow motion. I think because they *were* tonka toys pulled by string in slow motion.
This was a co-production with a British company. They work at 25 frames per second, we work at 24. The editor got that the wrong way around, and the show came in nearly four minutes too long. The DP had absolutely insisted on cutting the negative and doing telecine from an interpositive. So now we have a cut neg and IP way too long, and we have to do lifts in video. But of course only after the editor insisted on trying to speed it up in telecine. That process merely skips one frame every second, so precisely once a second you get a little motion jump. Of course the video house changed the tube in the Rank (Something you do maybe once in 5-7 years) right after we finished the NTSC transfer, so all our settings were out the window for the PAL version.
In one scene, they open an airtight door into a room in the space station that had been opened to the outside. Of course they got a huge rush of air, but in the wrong direction.
The villian of the piece is a terrorist who is actually a woman pretending to be a man. Think Carlos the Jackal in Victor/Victoria. Fashion on the moon in 2006 is 1950's retro.
The final push to the delivery deadline: I go to work at 9 AM on a Wednesday, and get home at 2 PM on the following Saturday. One of those nights I even had to crash for 4 hours at a different video house than the one we were using, because they didn't have any overnight staff. Anyhow, I wake up on Sunday and notice a People magazine with Brigitte Nielsen on the cover. She's the star of our show. And I remember seenig the credits go down with it spelled "Nielson". So, a last minute fix on Sunday afternoon, and we had to satellite the fix to New York on Monday morning. I still have the "Nielson" card framed and hanging in the office.
And there were probably a few more things I've forgotten.
-- J.S.
"Does it often happen that this kind of mess doesn't get properly solved at the paper stage, and you end up with a bunch of trusses that simply can't be made to work?"
Yup - about twice a week. (Company wide)
Wouldn't that sort of problem get management's attention...."
Yup - They send out a memo about twice a year saying there have been too many mistakes and we should be more careful. No mention (ever) about trying to correct the source of the problem.
Don't know that we have one "gold standard for disaster" that stands out. There have been so many that it's hard to remember one in particular.
If men had periods, they'd brag about the size of their tampons.
[In walks Tim with money on his mind again ]
Ive been dealing a lot with my home lumber yard on very small orders . Ive had 4 special orders this last week. Two of those were found in magazines by the customer . The salesman called several suppliers , spending his time looking for the products. The manager was called in to help in the search of one. This week , I have two orders like that in transit. [seems women have to have what the other women dont have ] The money made in these orders wont be worth the time. So,.......
I asked why they would do that type a business as I brought it to their attention. The manager said that we want to be your number one serving yard. We hope that when you need our help you will know that we are here, and remember us in your big orders. [fair enough] I told him that was already established in my mind. They are the only ones that provide that type of service to me. They have been my number one lumber yard for several years because of the long list of services that are offered to me that I consider to be over and beyond the call of duty. I owe them many favors , that I try to repay as often as I can. So,.....
A loyal relationship has been formed to serve us both in times of need . Im a " you can count on meat customer for them". Price is not every thing if they can help to me keep rolling. I cannot pay a big difference in prices , but I dont haggle over a few bucks . They are first to quote every time. I also ask then to match a lower price, so they can have all my business.
You seem to be offering this same service. I believe that you are making the difference going beyound the call of duty for a constant pay check in the future. I wouldnt feel bad if I were you, considering my story.
Tim Mooney
Tim, you have a point. I don't mind helping someone out with things that aren't really my job from time to time. I agree that it can make for a good relationship with a customer.
What really ticks me off in situations like this is that they expect us to solve all our problems for them for nothing. I'm not an architect, but they want me to re-draw the floor plan and elevations for them. (And dang quickly, too) They figure the truss companies will do it for "free", but they'd have to pay the person who drew the print to fix their own mistakes. In this case, the person who drew it wasn't even capable of understanding what was wrong.
In this particular case, the house is framed up and sitting there waiting on a solution. Lotsa rain this week, so the HO is really on everybody to get the roof on.
Have a look at the thread called "permenant truss bracing" - It's a similar situation. They figure we can just punch a couple of buttons on our computer and kick out bracing for the entire structure. We ought to be happy to, since we're providing the trusses for the building.
My preference in this case would have been to refuse to do anything with the building until the GC/HO had fixed the prints. I don't mind offering some suggestions, but don't want the responsibility of re-drawing the whole print.
Grow your own dope, plant a man.
> Yup - about twice a week. (Company wide)
Aha -- so here's the solution. ;-) When they're screaming for trusses ASAP, just ship them a likely looking set of wrong-sized trusses left over from before. That way they have their wrong-sized set, you save making another wrong-sized set, and maybe they get it about needing to get the plans right. If not, at least they have something to play with while you solve the problem. And maybe some day you'll get lucky and they'll actually *use* what you shipped. ;-)
-- J.S.
John,
I love the idea of the reuseable, head scratching, ill-fitting truss package for chucklehead contractors. I love it when contractors who try to get by without attending to the proper due diligence step on their dicks. It makes me laugh my #### off.
Boss,
I feel you pain. My biggest complaint about working for someone else (when I did) is when they refuse to let you handle your situation properly. They rob you from the feeling of satisfaction and pride in your work. Hold your head up and know that you are the only one who help these homeowners. To think of whats happening to the rest of their project just makes me shake my head.
dl
Very creative thinking, JohnExcellence is its own reward!
"When they're screaming for trusses ASAP, just ship them a likely looking set of wrong-sized trusses left over from before. That way they have their wrong-sized set, you save making another wrong-sized set, and maybe they get it about needing to get the plans right.
Actually, John - Your solution might not be that far off track. Once the trusses don't work out on a job-gone-bad, the contractors seem to switch to a "problem solving mode" that they should have been in long before that time.
I like kinky solutions to problems, so that just might work...............(-:
There's a new plan under consideration for airline securirty - They're thinking about hiring soccer Moms to be stewardesses
Thanks -- Here's another approach to the problem:
Save up a big stack of those "too many mistakes" memos. When a job like this comes along, make copies of that stack and of the plans, and attach them to a memo something like this:
"Please see the attached memos regarding mistakes, and the plans submitted to us on the XYZ project.
Note the wall circled in red on the plans. In one view, it is 8 feet. In the other, it is 2 feet. Until this is resolved, we cannot make correct trusses.
This correction must be made by the customer's designer or architect. As a truss company, we cannot take responsibility for resolving the issue. If we attempted to do so, we would be practicing architecture without a license."
Staple the whole mess together, and hand carry copies to all the brass, the sales guy, and anybody else you can think of internally at your company. Don't copy the customer or his GC, let your boss decide how to handle that relationship.
-- J.S.
John -
As much as I like stirring things up a little now and then, I think that might get me more attention than I'd like.................(-:
OTOH - Who was it that said: "a little revolution now and then can be a good thing" ???
Security here in New York City is still very tight. Hookers in Time Square now are demanding two forms of fake ID. (David Letterman)
I would like for you to tell us what your bosses take on this situation was. What was his decision?
Tim Mooney
My boss is also a designer, and is often in the same boat I am. (He's just the "lead" designer) He's basically doing what the owner is telling him, which is to do what the customer wants. I'm not sure that the owner really knows how much time we spend on this stuff or if my boss tells him. (Maybe he's told him and he doesn't listen)
Basically what happened is that the customer finally decided what they want, and now want the trusses immediately. They don't understand that it takes a lot of hours to design a 1.5 story messy house, and all the beams and headers that they need. I'll probably be in hot water Monday for not having it done already. (They gave me the final info Thursday)
I have an answering machine in my car. It says, "I'm home now. But leave a message and I'll call when I'm out."
Thanks for giving us that update . Im sure all would appreciate the final story.
Tim Mooney
Nothing quite as big as trusses, but I was the third 'quoter' in on a job this past Sat afternoon. The house had damage from Hugo, hurricane, long ago, and now there are more problems. Seems there's a hole in the bathroom floor between toilet and tub. Floor is tile over a really flimsy substrate, it cracked when I bounced on it in the middle of the room. She won't let me pull tub too. It's leaning outward slightly from the original damage. The front, stepover side is slightly down. I feel tub should be pulled, all joists inspected, leveled, shimmed, doubled, etc and new decking done before her linoleum goes down. She wants just the area besides the tub and built in counter redone. (new toilet is in the plan at least)
Walk away? I need the $$. I was laid off from my computer job 18 months ago and we are about to blow away. I fell back on my remodeling skills from when I used to redo old rental houses. I'm thinking a clear statement of known and possible issues with signature acceptance from them before I start, but otherwise do it her way and get paid.
I don't know that that will help if they later sue you.
Basicaly, you know what should be done, to do it correctly. If you do it their way, and it fails, then they go to court, what you have had them sign, as a way to CYA... may end up biting you. It would be a written admission that you knew this was wrong, but you did it anyway.
So you do the job and buy bread today, then next year, this client comes along and takes everything you own. You'll wish that you had it as good as you do right now.
: )
Find three or four smaller jobs that will cumulatively pay as much as this one larger one.Cut me some slack here
Quittin' Time
"Basicaly, you know what should be done, to do it correctly. If you do it their way, and it fails, then they go to court, what you have had them sign, as a way to CYA... may end up biting you. It would be a written admission that you knew this was wrong, but you did it anyway."
I feel your pain as most of us will. We seldom reply to anyone that we dont try to give good information . But our hearts are there too. I wrote a response and deleted it . I liked Lukas better, but I will also give mine in addition to his reply.
Until there is enough customers supplieing your table , its hard to be picky about your food. However, I would put it in writing also, and explain it fully . Of course you also know that you cant do things like this in good concience. I really dont think any of us do the things we do just for the money. Not here we dont . Trade work is a plus to self esteem , while we know the money isnt enough in most cases. You cant stay in this business and not feel good about your self. You build a confidence that you can do the work as it comes , and in your mind say , "well done ". With out heart for your work, you will be less in your own mind , and never be able to obtain the love for the work of a trades man. I suggest letting us help you in a new post about business start up. I would tell you to search the archives , but Im not sure they would be there under our new format . You are here to start with and thats definately a plus to your growth.
Tim Mooney
Just venting? Ya, let's not bring venting into this.
Boss, you are just way past having anyone say thanks for what you do. You have an idjit that has walls up and is screaming for a truss, you take his cartoons and can't make a truss work, you are off the map with the time you should spend send these to fabrication, and if you can finalize a design you have to jump thru hoops to deliver anywhere close to a week.
I would be tempted to tell him to stick build it, with the emphasis on "stick...it"
..............stick build it, with the emphasis on "stick...it"
Well, ya know, that particular line has come up a time or two..........(-:
Unfortunately, I really have no choice in the matter. I don't get to decide which jobs to accept or turn down. Actually, truss manufacturers rarely turn anything down. The owners are always paranoid about losing business and will take just about anything no matter how busy they are.
I watched the Indy 500, and I was thinking that if they left earlier they wouldn't have to go so fast.
I counted 5 mentions of "salesman" in your original post. It probably doesn't help at this point, but it sure sounds like your company could use a better, or at least more technical, salesforce. Some of the other posts are right, IMO, you're overqualified. Maybe you should be doing the selling, and getting the order right before it ever hits the office. Just my 2¢, as I obviously don't know the truss business.
Be seeing you...
While you have a point, I don't really blame the salesman in this case. They're stretched pretty thin, and really don't have a lot of time to spend on individual problems like this one.
It's kind of a catch 22 - the salesmen want less work, but don't want to make less money. The management doesn't want to hire more salesmen or designers. And the customers still want good service.
I'm grateful that a more than one of you said I'm overqualified, but I also don't think that's the problem. I think my qualifications are fine, I'm just not in a position where I'm empowered to do a good job. (IMHO)
Skydiving?good to the last drop.
We all get those kind of customers. We had one gal that had over 50 gallons of paint..for samples..took her over 3 months to pick colors and that is with a decorators help..then her hubby wanted to know what the hold up was.. oh and by the way not just paint we had to put it on 3X4 pieces of sheetrock so she could see it.. good luck with the trusses..
FINALLY!
a use for sheetrock window cutoutsExcellence is its own reward!
I use them cut the size of a bucket to cover the mud. Ya dont get crisy critters in that way.
Tim Mooney
Had a client like yours ,we painted the inside of closets as a demo for each bedroom etc. , had 11 coats on one and the lady said the one she liked the best was the 3rd coat, yep couldn't remember which one the 3rd was so we started painting all over again. The lady said she thought she would go with white because she heard the carpet color would reflect onto the walls and after all that was what she was looking for. The next house was easier , the owner said "how do I know if I like the color until the room is painted".
When times get tough there is a lot of "patch it just enough" usually shortly before the house is foisted off on someone else. Walking away would be best but a local man may have a hint of a solution: He prepares a document outlining the relationship and the exact scope of work to be done in boiler plate.
Seeing as that the HO is specifying the the scope of the repair in spite of your good advice they are acting as the contractor. You are acting as a subcontractor and acting under their directon and limited by the scope of work specified by them.
Rot around a toilet is a common repair. I read what he had a local HO sign. It, despite his recommendation to replace 2 floor joists, specified replacement of the floor, subfloor within 2' of the toilet flange and finish floor within the room. It further specified that the repair was not to include structural members or floor joists.
Not being a lawyer I don't know if this would help if sued but if combined with other documentation like a site review noting the expected extent of damage and a proposal to do it right. It might show that you tried to get the HO to do the right thing but were stopped by their unwillingness to pay for the full job. Within that context you can only do what they agree to and are willing to pay you for.
These situations are always a pain. It always seems like to do it right I need to rebuild the world while the HO only want to pay for touching up the paint. Compormise is called for. The trick is living with it and not having it come back to haunt you.
Boss:
Sounds like a HO HUM day in the life of a GC.
Charlie