That’s just the way some people are and you can’t make them “turn it on”. You’d love to have the guy framing because he’d get it done.
Likewise you can’t just “turn it off”. You’d love to have me laying that flooring because it would have been perfect, but I’d cost you a bundle to frame something, because it too would be perfect.
At any rate, I’d cut the guy a break and see if he learns that building a house is a slow progression of being more detailed oriented. Maybe he is under stress with those $3,000 in traffic tickets. Maybe his wife hates him. Sounds like he has some issues maybe.
In the end, you may just need to “manage” what jobs you give him.
Also…”off the books”…I’ll be interested to see how many of the BT regulars crucify you on that. Generally people here get stoned to death for trying to “skirt the right way of doing something”. You know, “do I really need an engineer”, “can’t I have some illegals do my roof”…blah, blah. Maybe that contempt doesn’t apply to cheating the government, I don’t know. It might even be encouraged!
I don’t post much, but I do read your posts, Andy. Best of luck with it.
MERC.
Replies
Well if he's going to be off framing again in the spring, maybe it's time for some hard love and a good lesson in "He's the boss, applesauce". Maybe a month or two without your generosity will make the heart grow fonder and tune down the insults in the future.
MERC.
Hey Merc---How ya doing? I have no idea what is going on in this thread but I saw your name and had to say Hello! Noah is three months now and is starting his apprentice program this spring so I should have good help next fall. LOL Serious all is well and just wanted to say Hi. Mike
hey Mke... still got those pink cabs and virgin saw...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Everything is going well for me. About a month ago I added #3 to my apprentice program, this one a girl. I'd like to have a BT workfest over here to get my house done, but I can't afford it!
I've been trying to get the outside done, building some retaining walls and making terraces in the yard. Then onto siding and screen porch, etc. I'll post some pics of the retaining walls this weekend.
MERC
Congatulations--I hope to see some pix. of your daughter and the house. My son went for a check up yesterday and all is well. The shots kinda pissed him off but all was well in moms arms. LOL, See ya this weekend , MIke
"I don't write him off on the other hand which I probably could."
That one is tricky. If you where working on this for immediate resale when finished, as a buisness venture, then yes. But it is also your house intend is long term gains. Probably have to capitize it.
"My acct told me if he wants to pay taxes he can declare the money I give him so its up to him."
That part is clear cut. You are his employor. It does not matter if it for your business or personal use. Remember nanygate.
I think the acct said I could claim him as one of my subs.The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
and this is the guy you wanted to bring over to my place? Ida ripped his head off in ten minutes.
You're a nice guy. That isn't always a good thing, because people feel that they can talk back to you and you'll take it. Once they get that idea in their head, it's hard to get out. Also, doing things right is a mindset. Either you have it or you don't. His view of carpentry is rough, and you're trying to use him the wrong way. Keep him doing what he's capable of, and do the fine work yourself. Or if you need a hand, call me. Of course, I charge $14 too. Per minute. But I only listen to real rock and roll.
SHG
Shaggy.......you know I wasn't bringing him to your house to do work so what are you talking about..I wasn't going to charge you as I told you....so whats up with that?
I was bringing him there to see a beautiful house/and help me try and find your leak by screaming up to him as he simply held a hose.
Hes a kid...he means well and I care about him for some dumb azz reason.
He's a sweet caring kid that has a lot to learn.I had too many bosses I worked for at his age that wanted to just keep me stupid and pay me shid.I want him to learn....yet if he continues to be a know it all....he's outta here fast.
In my mind he has one more chance....maybe even half a chance or less.
As I said, he's a good kid but pizzes me off a bit too much at times....but who doesn't to us all..I mean, hey.....you've had a few people work for you....and how much time did you spend pizzed off and.........?
Thats life bro....ya gotta work with what you have and try and make it better....just like with your kids and life in general....cause it ain't generic when you come to people and personalities.
Be well piece
a...The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
.......you know I wasn't bringing him to your house to do work so what are you talking about..I wasn't going to charge you as I told you....so whats up with that?
just tweaking your hairy little nipple there bud. lol. And you can't charge me, cuz I'll charge you right back, and I know bigger numbers than you. ;-)
yeh but my nipples are bigger and bader'n yours : )The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
ouch
Scott, I'm not a mind reader. What the hell is this about? No first post. I'm beeeefudd'ld.
If it's not worth it, then never mind.
My daughter's coming to NYC in a cpl wks to a conference at the Marriott in Times Square. If I tag along, you want a beer? If I don't, will you watch out for her? Thanks.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
You better come by. I've moved to 57th St, next door to the Hard Rock Cafe, so I'll be right up the block. And if you don't, it would be my pleasure to keep an eye on her.
As for the story with Andy, he's having boy troubles again. So what's new.
By the way, I got a guy I have to beat up in Cleveland. Know anybody?
Scott
know anybody?
Sure, what street?
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
But he has more fingers than you have nipples - and lawyers know where to put their fingers.;)So what in the world is youse guys speaking of? I can usually figure it our fom context when the first post gets cut, but this is all over the place, all the way from leaky nipples, to wet roofs, to firing a subcontractor...which can't be done, IMO.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
don't ask....I was just venting and deleted the thread....was mainly about an arrogant(at times) 22 year old that works for me...saying that getting a clear 14 bucks an hour isnt enough to make him have to think about how to do things right after he F'd up a job I gave him to do here and how angry that made me. I'm in the process of fixing it.
I shoulda just called someone to vent rather than posting...hey...happens to the best of us. This place is our house here at BT so I went for it.
Be well
a...The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Andy and I are free spirits, and we have these stream of consciousness discussions that float across a variety of subjects, some real and some a product of ingested pharmaceuticals from Andy's misguided youth.
I just stay with him to make sure he lands safely.
SHG
LOL, looked like Andy's helper had a stream of unconsciousness there.hey Andy, know how it can be - I had to fire a young guy last week. He made it easy though. But I have learned that the young guys need pretty constant supervision
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
"I think the acct said I could claim him as one of my subs."
If this is the case... not only do you need a new helper... but also a new acct.
The IRS is on a rampage looking for employees being reported as subs. The classification is explained here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15a.pdf (pages 3-8). And when they find an employee (by their definition) classed as a sub... they go crazy with the penalties and civil enforcement of tax due (and do not give one inch). They have been highly enforcing these rules for about 10 yrs now... and they have publicized their efforts very well among CPAs.
Be sure to check out the examples for construction on page 7 of the publication I linked... specifically example 1... it may be enlightening (sorry, couldn't resist the pun)
Edited 2/23/2005 12:26 pm ET by Rich from Columbus
Andy,
Sorry to hear of your troubles. I can testify that, on the day I was there anyway, his job conditions were not exactly onerous.
I'm curious, how did that trim work out at the top of the upper cabinets? I wonder because he didn't seem like he was being very precise...
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Rich
I did it and it became preciseThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
"off the books?" Everyone on the planet knows what that means...someone is skating something.
I don't think you've entered this argument with clean hands.
He's only 2" off. You're all the way off. It's all relative.
well at $14 an hour I don't get paid enough to think ... Thanks for letting me vent.
Yes, I used the dread ellipsis--but it was needful. Rant away; suppressed ranting is not good for aperson.
Tell your helper that there are those of us only making another 70¢ an hour who are yelled at regularly for not thinking enough.
That a "helper" in this neck of the woods is making $4/hr ($160/week or $8320/year) less than what he is now. That attitude would not put him at the "top end" of the helper range, much either.
And, if he don't like that, well, he can just come down here, an' I'll show him what four and ahalf decades of age, experience, and deceit looks like. (Not that I have a burr under my saddle or nuthin, t'day - mostly.)
I fired three guys in a row for the same attitude and they were making the same wage.