These Damned Contractors

[mdh157]

This is,what my garage project has looked like for the past 6 weeks. By the time they get it finished it will be too cold to pour/cure the concrete. I do not understand why contractors are so unreliable. Have dealt with several between my old and new house for various projects but only 2 would I call again. Nothing personal to those of you who are one!

 

[300rag]

Shouldn't that whole pad area have been stripped of the grass and topsoil first?

 

[mdh157]

I don't think so. It is actually going to get another course of brick but they will flatten it out, fill with gravel and tamp, then pour the floor to a 4-5" depth.

 

[Wonderwagon]

Some food for thought after dealing with a beat off garage builder in the Chicago area. Is there a completion date on the contract? Is the builder doing all the work or using subs for concrete, framing, electrical, door instalation? If so, and your paying by personal or bank check, every payment should be accompanied by a note on the check sayin what the payment is for. Saved my *** when the concrete sub didn't get paid, I got a call on Thanksgiving day demanding payment, I apologize, explained each payment had a note explaining it's purpose to the builder, and faxed a copy to them. Never heard from them again. Suffice to say a attorney was hired to "help" the builder Danley Garages along.

 

[detmatt]

If it’s anything like it is up here there’s more work than there is qualified people to do it.

 

[Carmine]

If it’s anything like it is up here there’s more work than there is qualified people to do it.

We have an additional problem of so many having left during the recession and never returning. Anyone who knows which end of a shovel to put in the ground is chasing hurry-cane work.

 

[mr. fix it]

Unfortunate story. Here I have had a crack sewage pipe about 5-6 ft from the huse and to get anyone in they are quoting me $7-10K for a 17ft run of digging and replacing.

I've called numerous contractors and the ones that do call me back are in the above range.
At least 8 others haven't bothered to return my call for work.

Right now the construction business here is so busy that they are charging huge$$$ or not doing the work.

Fortunately it's not a huge problem but it will be one day if I can't get it looked after.

 

[Carmine]

And we have raised generation(s) to think people without a 4 year degree in "language studies" are non-persons.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

And we have raised generation(s) to think people without a 4 year degree in "language studies" are non-persons.

Adding another twist to that. Having a teen-ager in high school, the amount of pressure that is hyped on these kids about taking a full academic load in order to even get into college is IMO a crock. Maybe to get into a prestigious or Ivy school but a state University, pffft of you can pay your in.
I'm letting my son go to tech school and he can continue as long as he is gaining certificate's for skills passed.

 

[Carmine]

My wife is one of 4 kids, three girls each with 4 year degrees. The brother went the tech route into welding. Guess who makes the most by a big margin? Why? Because all those smart, degreed people need to ride up to their cubicles in properly welded elevators. Or get down to their nuclear reactors. Or lose their money at Casinos. Guess what job won't get taken by AI?

The compounding problem was that "shop" classes became warehouses for druggies and other low-lifes. "Caring" teachers spent all their time nursing the lowest common denominators and didn't keep the classes relevant. That's exactly what was wrong with the drafting and auto classes I took... a damn shame right in the district that GM and Chrysler dumped zillions of tax dollars into.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

The compounding problem was that "shop" classes became warehouses for druggies and other low-lifes. "Caring" teachers spent all their time nursing the lowest common denominators and didn't keep the classes relevant

I was concerned about this. I had to do a bit of digging to vet the program and after meeting the instructor I became okay with his choice and support it.

 

[commando1]

I find it tragic that the trades crafts don't actively have an Apprenticeship mentality.

 

[Fratzog]

I'm letting my son go to tech school

Our company hired electrical and mechanical co-ops out of excellent programs at a local college. After 2 paid co-op work terms totalling 1.25 years you know what you've got. We ended up hiring about 70% into full apprenticeships. Best part for the student is he gets most of his education paid for through the co-op placement. Talk to parents at career nights who wanted to send their kids to a humanities of social science program their jaw drops to the floor. Sadly most high school career counsellors don't have a clue since they themselves have a social science background.

 

[stubs300]

Suffice to say a attorney was hired to "help" the builder Danley Garages along.

And Danley's been around for as long as I can remember, that's odd.
I'd check the contract as said, I'd also look into filing complaints against them with the city, County, State, or whoever that your not happy and want results and not excuses. Good Luck

 

[Wonderwagon]

There is concern in the trades, some may feel This Old House or publications like Fine Home Building as not relevant. But, the they are co-sponsors in a program called KeepCraftAlive to train and foster interest in the trades. It was not a lack of interest for some of my generation to go into the trades in the 80's, there simply was no work.

 

[Wonderwagon]

And Danley's been around for as long as I can remember, that's odd.
I'd check the contract as said, I'd also look into filing complaints against them with the city, County, State, or whoever that your not happy and want results and not excuses. Good Luck

This took place 9 years ago, passing along the school of hard nocks, Funny how filing complaints with States Attorneys office, and legal representation makes slim shady move.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

they are quoting me $7-10K for a 17ft run

That's only around $250 USD

 

[Carmine]

Unfortunate story. Here I have had a crack sewage pipe about 5-6 ft from the huse and to get anyone in they are quoting me $7-10K for a 17ft run of digging and replacing.

I've called numerous contractors and the ones that do call me back are in the above range.
At least 8 others haven't bothered to return my call for work.

Right now the construction business here is so busy that they are charging huge$$$ or not doing the work.

Fortunately it's not a huge problem but it will be one day if I can't get it looked after.

Call Miss Digg (Or non-gendered utility location specialiust if in Canada.)

Buy/rent mini bobcat.

X2

Fill trench.

Sell/Return mini bobcat.

 

[mr. fix it]

Call Miss Digg (Or non-gendered utility location specialiust if in Canada.)

Buy/rent mini bobcat.

View attachment 220264
X2

Fill trench.

Sell/Return mini bobcat.

I’m all for this but my back is like a tooth pick these days and the city demands that I hire a professional licensed contractor

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I’m all for this but my back is like a tooth pick these days and the city demands that I hire a professional licensed contractor

I can issue you a licence.