Saw a show on hgtv or tlc that had an “interesting” strategy for dealing with contractors. It’s a coupla guys who are flipping properties. They decide on what they want to do to a house, what they want to spend to yield what profit upon resale, and then call in the contractors. The contractor gives an estimate, and no matter what he says, it seems these two would throw it back at them, cut it in half or so, and say, “you gotta do it for this amount.” And the contractors would agree!!! Maybe it was a setup for tv, but even so, it is a bad education for consumers who’ll think that’s the way to do it. Ever run into clients who operate this way?
The second thing they did was maybe even weirder. One contractor was not working fast enough to suit them. So they called another to look at the job. While doing so, client calls the first, says, “if you don’t get here and finish now, this guy’s gonna do it.” And the second contractor doesn’t act like he was just used or his time was just wasted. I’ve seen cases where one was leveraged against another, but this seemed extra blatant. Maybe it’s just the presence of cameras, but again, it’s teaching clients some really bad habits.
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Bad habits indeed!
I think a lot of those shows are Hollywooded with many of the situations created for entertainment sake and not an example of the real world. Reality tv is nowhere near reality. I don’t watch too much tv nor care to, but watched a flipping show not too long ago that I just couldn’t believe to be real, too many staged situations, so much so that I ownder if the sale and price sold for actually occurred. I’d like to think that most of us here at BT would recognize it as BS but the general public that is watching it and hiring us doesn’t.
If they got anyone they may get a young or dumb contractor but will never get anyone good, I dont think that would fly when i went to get my truck fixed . I would never even listen to someone like that, Maybe evolution is right after all you never see old dumb contractors.
Saw a "Flip This House" recently. House was flood-damaged, so a lot of rehab. Complete kitchen, lots of drywall, paint, trim, etc. etc. It looked really nice when complete.
They didn't do any work themselves. Spent $15,000.
Huh? I know illegal labour is cheap, but there musta been slaves involved. I'm not sure how they got the materials for less than $30k, never mind the labour.
The other thing that kills me is dilapidated 1000 sq. foot bungalows in California selling for $900k.
I take these shows as a sure sign of the approaching apocalypse. Not sure that I'm joking.
Regards,
Tim Ruttan
I saw this show, i thought it was on A&E but there's too many to keep track of nowadays. After hearing that the other guy would finish the job if the original contractor didn't get in gear the original contractor offered them his very nice Ford Excursion if he didn't get it done in time. Wouldn't you think though that the TV station would be paying these guys a little bit at least to air the show. Why don't they spend a little more and ge tthe job done right.
Those Excursions get terrible mileage. He just wanted to dump the turkey on them.
That was it. I'd forgotten about the Excursion as collateral, but yes, that was a third "WTF?!?!?!"
I like those they buy for like 350 k and then add 80k and sell for 500k. It be cheaper to take a vacant lot build new for 185 k and sell for 500k
I'm sure they don't show the ones that tell them to shove it.
"I went to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, and no one there was mad at me." DustinF 06'
http://www.hay98.com/
I think I'm going to start a new show.
" Here's what it's worth - take it or get F'ed- by some jack off"Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
ROAR!
I'd watch it.
"I went to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, and no one there was mad at me." DustinF 06'
http://www.hay98.com/