Kitchen and Bath remodel

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Johnny C

Maybe we could have a forum or some sort of database situation where we could showcase our collective skills so that we look internaly first.
Like an occupational classified.
Down with the DEPOT!

Good point Johnny, I believe that is one of JohnR's many projects for the site that has yet to get off the ground. Perhaps if we start a thread, then everyone could reply if they want in on it.


Duke41, thanks for the chance

[BobT]

Slip..............wish you lived closer to me !!!!!! Wify is talking about a new kitchen. If so, I plan on getting a GC.

[NIB]

The depot types contract thier work out to basically the lowest bidder.they in turn hire lesser(if possible)skilled craftsman to do the work.its a numbers game they will give u a sub par job that takes many returns to get it right but they do enough to support this.Take ur time and hire a local guy work offa word of mouth references see several guys till u are happy with one then check some of his work.just callin refrences doesn't always do it.I hear lots of horror stories being a tileman.I ask well what did u do to prevent this.Answer is usually nothing.U gotta do some legwork to get a job done well.their are some real craftsman out there.Go to a plumbing supply an ask if they have any good plumbers that specialize in ur type of job. lots of times they work together with a good renovation type guy.When u find a good guy pay the price....Piece of mind may be worth 2 times what the de-pots charge..

[NIB]

My friend runs the carpet installation end for a company that has a big depot contract.All day long he is on the phone putting out the fire.carpet is only one trade way more simple to farm that out.in a bath u have many different trades needed.Ripout is allot more then just demolishion.then there's plumbing electrical,carpentry shetrock tile many skills are needed.of course I'm good at all of em.In 1980 i did baths for three yrs with a good guy.i just do tile work now.But i work for many private contractors. small guys do additions an baths all the time.I trained them on how to get it right.the jobs are stellar when completed.i'm sure there are guys ur way wth the same skills.A simple job should take 5 or six workin days.sometimes 2 weeks depends on what is needed.

[nightfighter]

Nib's got it right. If the walls aren't plumb and square, the floor isn't level, someone is gonna have some 'splaining to do..... cause the finish/tile guy is going to have to hide the rough work screw up.
Let's look at it from the other side. If I wasn't putting out quality work, would I be entertaining an offer to be sub-contracted out at HD's rate? When an independent is hired, his name is on it. And when you work in a local area, you are as good as your last job.
Duke, when you see a truck on a job in your area, stop and ask for the general contractor or owner. Don't overlook the foreman/supervisor on the job either. I have one guy I depend upon as he has 40 years building experience and has seen it all. Without him I'd be doing less than half of what I'm able to do now.

[Swimmer]

I wonder if HABS would do me a blurple danny swimmer motif in my bathroom inside the shower?

[Mike P]

It only took the Home Cheapo sub-sub contractor 15 months to finish my sister's deck

Part of the reason, I guess, was that he fell off her next door neighbor's roof while pounding shingles. With the $700 HD gift certificate she gave him in his pockets, which somehow got lost at the hospital. Some of the delay was the arguing over whether he'd get another $700 clams

On the plus side, it "only" took my wife 6 months to get the carpet she ordered installed

They mostly send clowns. Guys doing low bid HD work are doing it for a reason