The Contractor Blog Page

I have always heard the expression that the customers always right. That’s just not true especially when it comes to home-improvement, remodeling & construction projects.

If a homeowner, property management company or whoever hires you to build, repair or install something, chances are they don’t know how to do it or don’t want to do it. They called you, it dosn’t matter the reason for the call, what matters is you are supposed to be the professional.

Cutting Corners, I have heard many contractors say recently that since the down economy many homeowners, residential & commercial property management companies and I’m sure there are others, are putting pressure on them to “cut corners”  to save money. Many of these contractors say they are losing jobs to other “want a be contractors” who are willing to cut the corners.

First I want to say something to you homeowners who are reading this, many not all but many of the “contractors” or “handymen” you are hiring off of Craig’s List are NOT contractors. Many of them use-to work for real contractors, but because of the down economy they are looking for work. Its free to post on Craig’s List that’s why they are there! Their not real contractors that’s why there so cheap! and last but not at all least, if you ever have a problem, most you want even be able to get in touch with or they won’t come back. I’m not talking about in a couple of weeks after the job is done I mean in a couple of years after the job is done. That is just one of the distinctions between a real contractor and a “want a be contractor”. 

 Saving money on labor is one thing, maybe not using the most expensive material is another idea but cutting corners can be dangerous.

I have heard of,

• decks being built without the proper size post, (this could be an issue if to many people get on the deck at the same time, it could collapse) 
• roofs with 2 layers of shingles on them just being laid over again making it 3 layers. (this is a weight issues, even without snow in some areas being added to it, can cause cracks in the ceilings and walls around the house)
• sub-floors being repaired by just covering up the rotten floor joist. (sure the new sub-floor will hold for a while, but don’t put anything heavy in that area or the floor joist might collapse)
• tile in a bathroom shower floor being installed with premixed thin-set (it will hold until the check clears, but one morning there’s going to be a loose tile)
• too a “small” 2 story room addition completely framed out of 2×4’s yes even the floor/ceiling  joist out of 2×4’s and the best part! it was 2 foot on center!! I seen this with my own eyes. They even managed to roof it, but Fortunately for the homeowner when they delivered the drywall and they laid it flat on the floor the “floor joist” of course couldn’t handle the weight. These guys where HIRED BECAUSED THEY WHERE THE CHEAPEST! I won’t say where the homeowner found them, but the homeowner did admit they where the cheapest and now regrets it.

Every example I gave above is the result of someone who was trying to cut corners to save money but in the end it will cost more money for the repairs than the original job would have cost if they had hired a professional. My point is, the customer isn’t always right we are the professionals and even in bad economic times like this, we need to act like it. If they won’t you to cut corners that you know are dangerous or just can’t be cut you need to tell them NO. If they insist you better run from the job and I know its hard to walk away when works has been slow. But if you are a professional contractor you will walk away and if you don’t it just might come back to haunt you. Remember you are the professional in any court across the land and not the homeowner you will be held to a hirer standard, after all your supposed to be the professional. The excuse the homeowner or they made me do it like this or that won’t save you from being financially liable  AND Yes, that can include you guys who are not licensed and insured who are working as a subcontractor for a shady “want a be contractor”.  

Something to think about,

1. Sometimes (most of the time) you get what you pay for
2. Just because you covered it up dosn’t mean it wont be found (and you will always be viewed as the one who covered it up)
3. A home is where children and families live, think about that next time the idea of cutting corners pops up
4. If its to good of a deal its probably not
5. Just because “they” are willing to do it dosn’t mean you should
6. Sometimes old & out dated material & products is just that OLD & Out Dated and shouldn’t be used
7. ALWAYS trust your “GUT” instinct and you know what I mean

The Customer may always be right BUT you are the one that’s going to be held liable.

Thank You,