FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Random questions

JohnCujie | Posted in Business on February 26, 2009 09:34am

A couple of just curious questions.

1. Have you ever had a homeowner ask you if you were paying your workmen properly, paying benefits such as health care, if they were legal, or any similar quality of employment question?

1a. Do you market yourself as being on the right side of those questions.

2. Ever done a job for, sold a house to, etc., to anyone who had one of the bad mortgages we keep hearing about that are causing such a crisis.

My guess is that even the most affluent, socially conscious customer has never inquired about how the workmen are treated. Of course I don’t ask either when I go to the grocery store or auto repair shop.

I also doubt if many have been involved with bad loans, that they are mostly a tract home and resale market thing.

Just curious,

John

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    JeffBuck | Feb 27, 2009 01:34am | #1

    1) Yes

    1a) Yes

    2) Not that I know of.

     

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  2. jimAKAblue | Feb 27, 2009 06:20pm | #2

    Generally speaking...if they have a loan going bad, they don't have money for remodeling.

  3. Dan612 | Feb 27, 2009 06:48pm | #3

    I have a friend who owns a landscaping company.  He gets involved with cul-de-sac neighborhoods/ home owners associations that want him to bid the whole neighborhood for lawn mowing, leaf raking, etc.  Usually, he gets asked why he is charging more than other people.  He then shows them proof of insurance, paper work showing that all his guys are local guys (also legal)  paying for college, family men etc, and  that all have health insurance covered by his company.  He also shows that all of the debris is taken to a site where it is composted.  He has one neighborhood go for the cheaper company in five years.

    I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.

  4. JeffinPA | Mar 01, 2009 04:18am | #4

    Ditto Jeff B.

    Yes, Yes, dont think so.

  5. User avater
    MikeMicalizzi | Mar 01, 2009 12:33pm | #5

    The big quetion I get is "how long have you known so-and-so". I made the mistake of telling someone once that I just started this worker out on his job, he was so freaked out.

    Hey, people have to start somewhere, right?

    Ever since that little experience I don't let the conversation steer towards the help.

    Your help can make or break you. I've got enough helper stories to fill ten threads.

    I gave a very fair estimate to a guy who lost his house due to one of these adjustable rate mortgages, never hired me, loser anyway. A typical example of the type of person who would be in that situation.

    1. notagain | Mar 01, 2009 01:16pm | #6

      "A typical example of the type of person who would be in that situation."This statement says more about you, than you might realize. Rod

      1. ponytl | Mar 01, 2009 02:24pm | #7

        i ..guess we should go to the stereotype thread....

        since he didn't give all the information that made him form that opinion...

        you kinda jumped the gun... which speaks volumes about you... now doesn't it...

        p

         

        1. notagain | Mar 01, 2009 03:26pm | #9

          I guess opinions are like azzholes right?Reread his statement, maybe pick up a dictionary while you're at it.Typical, by defintion, doesn't need "all the information that made him form that opinion".It is , by it's very definition......typical.In fact, look at his previous statement, " a loser", why??? Just because he didn't accept his proposal? And because he didn't accept his proposal, he is a loser, typical of people in that situation?Sounds like he might be a bit of a sore loser.No jumping the gun here.just calling it like I sees it.And you are welcome to do the same.
          Rod

          1. ponytl | Mar 01, 2009 10:49pm | #12

            no the way you reacted made it sound like you were like the person who was forclosed on and  were offended...

            fast to jump on someone doing the right thing... and fast to defend someone who maybe wasn't...

            of course it's never the fault of the person who doesn't repay a debt...  typical would be living beyond ones means, lack of financial planning... lack of insurance to cover the unforeseen...

            most people forclosed on fall in that typical situation...

            you were very quick to condem with far fewer facts than the one who used the word

            "typical"

            which is just a typical knee jerk reaction without all the facts.... quick to mouth off ...typical

            P:) 

          2. notagain | Mar 01, 2009 11:10pm | #13

            Pony, I see that you have not opened your dictionary yet.Here's the deal..........This morning I cooked pancakes for my granddaughter, then we watched a Tom & Jerry cartoon. After that we went out into the back yard and raced each other around. (She's 3 years old and won every time)Soon we are both going to be rooting for Jimmie Johnson.I hope that you decide to have some fun today too.Maybe catch up on your reading.
            Rod

          3. ponytl | Mar 02, 2009 03:34am | #14

            still didn't look in the mirror..did you...

            watch'n the race now...  jimmy might win... but sure would like to see someone outside the top teams win... maybe the 96..

            we had snow today very very rare... spent the morning at the park with about 20 friends and all the kids.. a big hill and alot of sleds... built a snow jump for the kids... so i stll got to build something today :)

            p

      2. User avater
        MikeMicalizzi | Mar 01, 2009 03:46pm | #10

        The only thing they would lose out on by not accepting my proposal would be the high quality of work I offer. In that sense, then they're losers. They've lost my business.

        Gee, how did this topic get so off course??

        JUSt LET IT GO!

        Can we move on to bigger things please...

        1. notagain | Mar 01, 2009 03:58pm | #11

          Of course we can.
          Rod

    2. User avater
      MikeMicalizzi | Mar 01, 2009 03:16pm | #8

      Obviously not everyone who lost thier house due to a bad mortgage is a loser, but isn't it a strange coincidence that the two people I knew who lost thier homes just so happened to be the two biggets losers I've ever known in my life?

      Look at it this way, you've played a game with the bank...you lost your house... you're a loser... You took a gamble and you lost.

       

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Finding the Right Fixer-Upper

Get expert guidance on finding a fixer-upper that's worth the effort.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Guest Suite With a Garden House
  • Podcast Episode 688: Obstructed Ridge Vent, Buying Fixer-Uppers, and Flashing Ledgers
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding the Right Fixer-Upper
  • Keeping It Cottage-Sized

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"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.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data