Started a new job today… a bath remodel. The previous owner of this house took it up himself to build a large soaking tub and a separate shower, all tiled, probably his personal magnum opus. New owner/my customer wants to replace it. I looked at the job and figured that there would probably be a fair amount of mortar to take out, and priced accordingly (planning on some serious suffering during the demo stage).
I tarped the place off and went after it with Mr. Sledgehammer. Turns out it’s all made out of plywood and barely nailed together. Man, I just love taking out typical homeowner work… so much easier than demo-ing a pro installation.
Same guy who did the tile work installed the toilet flange with nails.
Replies
It's about the only time I praise underbuilt work, when I have to demo it.
So now you do the honorable thing and the customer gets a rebate?
work much in the field, Ralph?
Jeff
Did I forget to type in the big G?
it's ok ... I lost mine too.
nothing kills a good joke faster, ya know ...
Jeff
...and if the demo were to go over the budgeted amount, then does the customer do the "honorable thing" and cough up some extra money???? I think not.
Nah... I've already put in some significant time helping them sort out the plumbing fixtures they want.
Couldn`t agree more. One of the many reasons I make absolutely sure that the client knows what they want before I begin a project. There is nothing I hate more than having to demo my own work....I end up doubling my rate!
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But it´s not always underbuilt - sometimes there are 200 nails, different screws and whatever else (tape,caulk,silicone) and lots of wood in the oddest places. When you try to take it down with a crowbar, it yiels in the funniest ways...some of these are a su**er to get out. Don´t bet on it.We´re always in for surprises. But it´s a great feeling if the dreaded demolition is a peace of cake - makes your day, doesn´t it?
Pro´s underbuild too - cutting corners.
Mathias
http://www.raulfcarpenters.com
I had something like that happen once. Went to tear some shingles off a roof, expecting it to take several hours.
But the shingles had been poorly staple down. You could grab the edge of a bunch of them and just start pulling. They often came up in big sheets.
We tore off one side of a 24X30 garage in about 30 minutes.
It can go the other way. Amateurs sometimes not only build right, but they can overbuild when doing it right. A lot over.
Gene Davis, Davis Housewrights, Inc., Lake Placid, NY
I am one of the people who usually overbuild... However I tend to use screws, not nails. A bit easier to take out. You see, when I build something I need to allow for the fact that I might mess up... then I want it to be easy to take out and replace.If my house wasn't a 100 years old... there would go a really fine hobby.
I'm the same way. Overbuild it and use screw for 'easy' demo later.... except I often then go ahead and bury the screws anyway, so probably defeats the purpose. :)
jt8
It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. --Chinese proverb
Ya, nothing like bypassing the clutch mechanism on yer drill for a great feeling of power in ability.
Almost as good as a pressure washer.
green invented cu
...all I need is the air that I breathe...