I “m a frustrated stairbuilder wondering where the appreciation went for my services . Obviously , the building market has changed and is changing rapidly. Production building and discount labor has stolen the respect for ” finished ” (as in thoroughly ) carpentry . In our area , Charlotte , NC , constuction has never been better . But , half million to a million dollar houses are being built like tract homes ! I’ve been around long enough to know what drives the machine , but where is the love for quality gone ? Can I get a witness somebody? I know you’re out there, somewhere… you are aren,t you ? … , … , … , helloooooooooooooooooooooooooo Ben
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I feel the same way as you. I have done jobs that are nearly perfect for many people in my area and yet shmo bob is the one that gets the job.I just dont undertsand it. maby its time we find a new line of work!
I think I'd consider something else if I thought I could do it anybetter . The problem seems to be that I love doing a job well . And as you know , I'm sure , that takes longer . Not many people seem to care about a well done job anymore . I still believe some do , or I'd just go drive a truck .
Yep, I've noticed the same trend.
A half a million dollar house we toured had formica counter tops.
Hello! What's wrong with this picture?
It also still had the same faux wood textured six paneled hollow core doors that a house going for $125 K has.
Dang the luck, I was kinda hoping/dreaming of starting a door or stair business. If people don't care about a job well done, why should I go out on a limb like that?
Maybe it is old money vs. new "money". Those people with the McMansions are probably just eyeball deep in debt anyway. All they care about is the "window dressing".
Another subdivision we toured had exposed soffit on the outside. No facia trim metal no Rollex ventilated. They just got a painter in there to spray gray latex on the underside of the roof sheathing and the truss tails.
It also had carpet in the bathroom. Anyway.... I could just go on. Thanks to Breaktime I have a place where I can vent my frustrations.
hey.. youse guys.. you're in the wrong neighborhood... just because they're expensive don't mean they're custom... they're just expensive tract homes..
the ones who want your services are not buying pre-built homes in a subdivisionMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
well I will tell you this ben,I have been doining this for the last 12 years and I am so feed up with the the bs now that I am ready for a change. I use to love doing this kind of work but with what you have to go through any more I dont think its worth it people just do not have any idea how much bs is involved in even a little job. every one thinks we should do it for 5 bucks an hour!I should have become a lineman or phone splicer.
cheap at any cost seems to matter the most...
the Mexicans are now complaining that they are being under bid by yhe central Americans, South Americans and Africans...
also one of their big gripe is that they are illeagle aliens...
go figure...
trim is down to 25 cents a square foot..
proud member of the FOR/FOS club...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Oak trim put up with a staple gun, vinyl-coated sinkers on the fascia board, wafer-board on exposed eaves, quarter-turned carpet pieces, etc. etc. ad nauseum. "Close enough - nail it!"
Get in touch with Stan Foster. (See his spectacular stair work in the photo gallery.) SOMEBODY still values quality craftsmanship. Find out where he gets his customers.
As others have said, lots of new houses today are all about square footage and curb appeal. I think you need to find a niche where the homeowners have REAL money and they don't need to leverage every penny just to get into their dream neighborhood. Clearly, your work is for high-end customers. Many McMansions are built for young, nouveau-riche middle-class boomer wanna-bes that may have ample cash flow, but limited class and taste. You need to find the architects and builders that work with true high-end, high-class clients.
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Mojo
I think your absolutely right!
I think a lot of these young "wanta-bees" just want to live in the prestigious neighborhoods. Those that have the money and class to do things right regardless of the cost are not looking to say, "we live in _________neighborhood"
There is so many people that just follow, they think the neighborhood has everything to do with their perceived status.
Doug
It sems like if you are not cheap and fast the GC' s don't want to know you. Screw new construction. remodels (like on cheaply built McMansions) are where you see people interested in quality.
DCS Inc.
"He who xxxxs nuns will later join the church." -The Clash
First off in my neck of the woods a half million dollar house is squat....its funny to hear you and others call it half a "million" dollars. Around here its $500,000.
Far as Formica goes.its not my taste but what's wrong with it..it works and can look pretty damn good.
Personally I'm using soapstone and the last house I did I used granite. so what!
Seems like you're looking to jump down some throats to me.
I've seen "quarter of a million dollar" lol ...houses built just fine...just no frills.
Are you upset because you weren't stroked? So what.
You do what you do because its the right thing.
You don't need to be stroked...you seem angry because of that.
And what's wrong with tract housing? Some people like that. Look at Levittown.
Exactly what was wrong with the workmanship...you never gave any details other than they used Formica.
Personally I'd like to see some pictures before you jump down throats.
You talk about detail but you've given US none.....hmmmmm
I see tons of great work around....especially from the guys here at BT with pictures included.
Of course theres lousy work out there.there ALWAYS has been.
Be in more detail
a
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Home values are up 35% from 1995...average. Doesn't matter what kind of POS you had back then, it's worth 35% more today. Builders are cashing in on that rate of return. Most customers are stupid in terms of home construction and quality thereof. They are looking for the most sq/ft for their dollar, and not more than paint deep.
These idiots bought junk bonds in the 90's, they eventually showed there true worth, let them buy junk houses...they'll show their worth eventually also. Ride the wave, collect the checks...make some cash, but get out before the train crashes.
The bankers are getting rich making bad loans to people who can't possibly sustain the debt, why can't we?
I'm not happy about it, or proud, but I'll give the customer what they want, you know the customer IS ALWAYS right, no matter how wrong they are.
Ben
Used to have two brothers framing for us who would put up spec houses on the side. One used heavy roofing, 2 x 6 framing and extra insulation and a few other goodies. His bothers houses were 10 % cheaper and sold quickly while he was still sitting there. Moral of the story is that unless the customer is willing and perceives the extra quality before hand you can be left holing the bag for the extra quality.
Cheers
Mac