And it’s this arch who had been refered to me by one of his #1’s, and also seen my work in someone’s house. He’s doing this;
http://www.edcmag.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/coverstory/BNPCoverStoryItem/0%2C4118%2C18726%2C00.html
A search of e-house2000 brought up other stuff too.
This could either be a good job, or one of the biggest PITA ever, but I’ll at least have a look.
What do you think of his design and engineering? Is it old-hat, or pretty inovative? I have to admit that I didn’t really read that far into it before my eyes glazed over. Most of it was about stuff which is not really my focus in the building trades these days.
Replies
Thi$ could open your bu$ine$$ up to an entirely new pha$e of con$truction, and it $ound$ like a lot of fun, too. I'd $ay, go for it.
SamT
Sam, I'd say you have a way with words, and you're speaking my language.
Nothing new on the heating side. Snowmelt on the roof is a little different.
Somebody will have to have a healthy income to operate this place.
Could look real good in a portfolio of work.
Looks pretty cool to me. I live a couple hours north, and might make a pilgrimage down sometime soon, if the job can be walked.
I did a long stint in commercial contracting, and some of the churches, university libraries, and museums we participated in had stuff going on like seen in this house.
Looks to me like it's mostly built, though. What might be your participation?
Cabinet maker
And, if you get the job, think you can get me into it when you are there?
What's your specialty?
Cabinets, built-ins, furniture, design.
Ah. I already have one full-timer and two part- timers working now, but if I need more, I'll check you out. Thanks for the offer, though. Where are you located?
OooohhhKay.
Dave - I gave a cursory glance to the website and read till my eyes glazed over - -
one comment from me - - 'keep your eye on your wallet' - - it would appear an honor to be chosen for this prestigious project, hopefully the compensation will be in line - -
my own experience: - - I supply the only 5 star restaraunt within a hundred miles with fruit, I consider it an honor - - but looking at it from strictly dollars and cents, I could make more money for less effort if I didn't mess with it - - but they stroke and finesse me till it's worth it - -
I wouldn't be surprised if this deal has similarities - just make sure you don't lose some valuble aspect of your business catering to Michael McDonough's ego -
I understand I may be completely off in my read of this -
good luck, have fun, hope the project is everything you want it to be
David Doud
I hear what you're saying, this is not the first high-profile client for me. I've done work for musicians,actors and directors, and some other note-worthy people and projects. I think it's because of my locale. That's what I meant when I wrote that it could be good, or it could be a PITA. My personal rule is that the higher the profile, the more they can afford.
One of my favorites is the Elle Decor layout published in Japan. Their magazines read from right to left. Naturaly, the article was about the house, not the carpenters. Here's a pic of my finish work, which I scanned from my copy of the mag. The owner is a big-time graphic designer in NYC.
I call it the celebrity factor in estimating. It is justified because if "the higher the profile, the more they can afford. "
then "the more they can afford, the more demanding they are."
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
It's rare to have one without the other. It does happen, once in a while, though. When it does, it usually turns into a pleasureable job, and the client becomes a steady customer.
Then there's the other times.........
very nice - - it's not 'because of my locale' -
OK, you don't have stars in your eyes, also very good - -
celebrity is few and far apart out here in the hinterlands; sipping a $30 glass of wine, watching a waitress (gotta have a fancier name for 'em, i'm sure) total up a bill for over $1K, sneak a glance or two at the patrons; just interesting for a farm boy to experience - worth a 40 mile delivery trip (and I do charge a premium)...
best wishes for a satisfying relationship on this project."there's enough for everyone"
Nice pics. Your work, I presume, is all of the paneling, built-ins, and trim we can see in both photos. Right?
Out of curiosity, how is the wood all finished?
Another thing. Are you familiar with M. L. Condon? You must be. One minor claim to fame they have is being the supplier of most all the wood used in the making of the fiberglass molds for Therma-Tru's Classic Craft door product line.
All the interior woodwork- from the flooring to the ceiling is my work(5Ksf of WRC). I went in the house in Nov., and emerged in Mar. I had nothing to do with the finish, and the finishers screwed it up,IMO. The finish is water-based poly, but when they filled nail holes with oil-based color putty, they didn't clean the oil off well enough, and left halo's
The mantle beam came a few years later, after a heavy windstorm had blown over some very old Juniper trees in someones yard. A sawyer I deal with called me about it(he has a standing order from me for anything unusual), and when I saw the log(40"dia.), it took me a while to determine where to cut the mantle from. I peeled, sanded, and installed it, the HO polished it to a bone finish.
Yes, I buy from Condon from time to time, when I can't find what I need elsewhere. They are the most expensive I have run across. With all the other sources out there, I don't see how they survive. Their main market must be NYC area and Conn.
cool stuff. The table and chairs on the sunporch look vaguely like a Nakashima type craftsmanship..any chance I'm right, or did ya build them?
I lived near his shop, and had time to visit before he died, almost took a job there. The man loved his wood, that's certain.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
The bench, chair and the one table grouped with them are in fact, Nakashima originals. My client was friends with him. He also had me build some replicas, one of which is on the sun porch by the french doors. I also built one or two other GN replicas for him.
Edited 5/30/2004 3:47 pm ET by DAVE HEINLEIN
Edited 5/30/2004 3:50 pm ET by DAVE HEINLEIN