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There are a number of ways to achieve a level foundation and mudsill.
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"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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I only bothered to read the first page, and other than the author's failure to suggest hiring only licensed and insured professionals, I found most of his advice fairly sensible.
His suggestion that the building trades include some shady characters who you're more likely to be stung by if you hire blind, instead of selecting thoughtfully on the basis of research and referrals, seems true enough: there are lots of flakes representing themselves as construction professionals in the yellow pages; a little research can help avoid them.
What, specifically, did you find objectionable?
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
What, specifically, did you find objectionable?
It seemed pretty clear to me that it was the title he found less than flattering. I saw it too, and thought the same, but didn't bother to read it."...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Mostly just the negative tone of the title...I chafe at the suggestion that many contractors are crooks that need to be outwitted...even though true, it still annoys me.
Hi Basswood,
I don't disagree with you.
The author seldom gets to write his own headline, so I attribute the headline to an anonymous "suit," and try not to pre-judge the author for an unfortunate choice of rubrics under which his article was posted.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Yeah, you're probly right...I just have chip on my shoulder 8 > {
Edited 7/29/2006 2:41 pm ET by basswood
I read it also, mostly grazed over it, he did mention checking for insurance and lic. in a further page.
The only part I found objectionable was the H/O providing their own material.
Mostly solid advice other then that IMO
In the repair business, there are a lot of lazy people who want to make money doing nothing," says John Burgia, president of American Elite Contractors in Jacksonville. .......... I found that statement a bit over the top
This article is like too many. It is like a triple barrel shotgun pointed in 3 directions at once.!/3 of it hits the mark, 1/3 is completely off base, and the last third is meaningless.Even Cheney has better aim."Bundle your repairs. Let's say that a plumber comes to fix that pipe. Chances are, you forgot to mention that there's a hole in your gutter and a clog in your disposal. Well, you missed out on an opportunity to save $100 to $200 on base visit charges."While good in concept lets look at the example. Now depending on the complexity of the problem with the pipe a GP handyman could possibly do all three jobs. And if it is know ahead of time (including things like what materials the drain pipe and gutter are made from) it might be able to do it in one trip.But they talk about using a plumber. Most plumbers don't do gutter work. And even it he was willing to do it he probably is not carrying an extention ladder and gutter sealant so that means a second trip anyway."Buy your own supplies. Repair pros mark up their supplies by at least 20%, and often charge hourly for shopping time besides. "The best thing people can do to save money is purchase their own materials," says Douglass, who adds that his staffers are usually amenable to this. If your handyman is too, ask what he'll need - brands and sizes. You'll feel really in the know when you request "two-inch metal foil tape" at Home Depot. "Now here they are talking about SUPPLIES and this is for home REPAIRS, not an room addition or kitchen remodel. When I think of supplies I think of things like the foil tape, DW mud, screws, nails, and sealants.It is a waste of time and money for the HO to get those items. Too many chances of getting the wrong stuff and in many cases it would have to buy much more than is needed while the contractor will just use it out of stock.""My hot-water heater is leaking, and I think it needs patching." Explain what's broken, using technical terms as much as possible (do an online search to find proper names). Say what needs to be done, if you know. By doing so, you narrow the scope of the repair--in this case, patching the water heater instead of replacing it--and therefore reduce the cost. "FIRST in 99.999% of the cases you just can patch a leaking water heater and expect it to last more than 24 hours.But lets get past that point and look at what he is talking about. The LAST THING that I want is a HO trying to use technical terms that they don't understand or tell me what NEEDS TO BE DONE.I have done a lot of tech support on complex software that I have writen to control water distribution systems. I get calls from the installers or plant operator with problems.What I need is for them to answer the #@*% questions. EVERYTIME that they try to tell me where the problem lies it leads down to a deadend path."Determine whether the item is worth repairing. Handyman Matters' most common requests are to fix ceiling fans, garbage disposals, doorbells and blinds - all relatively inexpensive items.Consider replacing rather than repairing. It may be more cost-effective (so long as you can install the item yourself!), especially given that the base charge for a repair visit is often $50 to $100. "Very true. I will fix stuff for myself that I would never attemp to fix for someone else.I can spend an hour taking something apart and then expoxying a broken peice back. And later an other hour reassbling it and it does not last I am not out that much.But if I ahve to make 2 trips and charge for them and can't guarantee that the repair will last it is not worth doing.
I thought I lived in a pretty affluent area, but I don't think anybody spends $4,000 in home repairs every year. Most house stuff is pretty reliable these days.
Yeah, I thought the same thing about the guy who said many folks are making money for doing nothing. Huh?
Where did I go wrong in this business as I'm out swinging a hammer for 8-10 hours a day! Are the rest of you guys just sitting at home or in your office and checks are arriving in the mail? Casue if so, someone needs to tell me where I went wrong! ;)
Money for nothin' and the chicks are free......didn't you get the memo.Actually, Dishonest contractors are a minority IMO, roughly the same % as dishonest homeowners. Most just charge for what they actually do, me thinks.
"Dishonest contractors are a minority IMO, roughly the same % as dishonest homeowners"
Me thinks they're both examples of the old 10:80:10 rule (the proverbial bell-shaped curve): the worst of both comprise a fairly small percentage of their respective groups, and garner inordinate attention: the 80% in the middle don't cause problems and aren't easy targets for pundits.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Guys,
NO! I didn't get the memo!!! Jeez, can't we have a better means of getting this information out so I don't keep showing up for work!
And I LOVE the "direct deposit" quote.
But seriously, I think you guys are right. There was just a story in the St. Pete Times today about a guy who has taken some homeowners for a ride. But yeah, he's the minority!
I mean, when was the last time you saw an article entitled "Contractor Finishes Home and Everyone's Happy" and the text goes on to say the only problems were some lumber that got stolen off the job which the contractor ate the cost for and the sore back the contractor and his guys got from helping the homeowner move their pool table upstairs as part of being a good company.
You'll never see that article.
Mike
Exaxtly, it's a thankless job, ain't it? When you do something right, it goes unnoticed. If you want attention, do something wrong, and you're sure to get it!
The article's OK, I guess, the part telling HO's to buy their own materials irks me. I do everything I can to change their mind, and if I can't, I try really hard to outprice myself from getting the work.
They must have changed it or something, because the title I read is "Don't Let Repair Costs Drain Your Savings".
RE: insured, licensed, etc - it's listed as one of the 8 tips on the last page.
I don't understand why you guys would have a problem with the article. There ARE alot of schleps out there. There are tons of people throughout the world who are lazy and/or actively looking to rip people off. It's not limited to the trades. You can't expect to randomly pick a person - regardless of their profession & assume they are honest & competent.
The article didn't say that dishonest & laziness was the norm in contracting, just that you have to look out for those who are. If there are 10 plumbers in your area & one is bad, even though the odds are in your favor, do you want to take the chance by not asking for referrences?
we use direct deposit