Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

waiving deductible for advertising credit on ROOFS

readynwilling — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:58:53 GMT

I recently sold my very successful plumbing business. I went to prison for 2 years for totally unrelated fraud I did in '98.
I want to go into sales. I am too young to retire.
Roof sales appeals to me. Despite the felony conviction, I have a couple of reputable roofing contractors willing to take me on. I think I'd be great.
These are NOT storm chasing outfits, but they do some of that.
2 of these places told me they get business by waiving deductibles up to $500, if the customer puts a sign in the yard. I asked both if insurance companies sees this agreement, they said no.
I just want to get a gut feel, before I drop a couple of grand getting a legal opinion from my atty. Is this legal? I am in Ohio.
I will NOT rely on your opinion, but if enough people tell me it's not legal, I'm not going to drop the money to see my atty.
If enough say it seems okay, I will pursue with my atty.
What's your feeling guys?
I can not rely on the....oh the roofing contractor is doing it, not you as the salesman. That, in my situation, could easily wind up sending me back to prison.
I really appreciate everyone who can give me their opinion.

Ya Win Some Ya Lose Some!!

jarvis design — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:39:21 GMT

Yesterday started off with an email from a potential client saying they had chosen someone else over me.
This was one of two "larger" jobs I was working on for January.
I was a little dissapointed to lose the job but was quite happy with the way I lost it - They were impressed with my design, my price was in line,...they obviously had a better "click" with the other contractor. Thats cool. They even offered to recommend me!

Last Night I was presenting my proposal for other larger job - this was my 2nd meeting with them - and they loved everything, the design, price...and gave me the go-ahead. This is after they had 2-3 other companies in this past summer - didn't "click" with any of them

Let me tell you, what a relief!! I know what I went through last January and it was not pleasant at all!! This job will keep us busy for most of January and will represent almost a 800% increase in sales vs. last January!

Is this a code violation: One wire, two lugs?

Zinsco — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:26:47 GMT

I put this 200 amp service in yesterday and ran a #4 (Bare Armored Ground) GEC to a water pipe, but since the wire was too big for the grounding bus in the panel, I split it between screws. I can't find any violation in the book, so I wonder if this is code compliant? Looks like my pic is sideways, but this is a Murray all-in-one panel.

Attached Thumbnails

Cabot deck sealer(opinion)

Destin Handyman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:05:29 GMT

Hey, just wanted a few opinions on cabot deck sealer. Has anyone used this brand. I am doing a 6 month old deck coming up (no stain) just clear.

Yes. I will hire you to fix my Hose.

BamBamm5144 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:59:29 GMT

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/trd/1474600523.html

DO YOU NEED YOUR HOUSE FIXED REMODELED,

DO YOU NEED YOUR HOUSE FIXED REMODELED, DRYWALLED, ROOFING, TAPING?? CALL US FIRST..

IF YOU NEED ANY OF THE ABOVE DONE TO YOUR HOUSE AND WANT A RESONABLE PRICE FOR IT CALL ROBERTO AND ERIKA FIRST..

SPECIALIZED IN DRYWALL, TAPING, AND REMODELING...

WORKED FOR SUBURBAN DRYWALL UNTIL GOT LAYED OFF..

Effective Marketing?

thom — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:52:39 GMT

Many of you guys disliked my comments on Guerrilla Marketing. If you really want to market, follow the link below.

A little about me. I taught marketing for 2 years (1977-1979) immediately prior to starting in construction. I did well enough in construction that I retired after 28 years, when I was 56. My wife did not work nor did she provide any income, the construction company did it all.

I did have a significant advantage over my competition, I understood business. I have/had an MBA with management experience starting when I was in High School.

Marketing is not about a snazzy website with gobs of bells and whistles, it's about marketing the product your customer is looking for, where, and when your customer is looking for it.

http://www.starfire-properties.com-a...vicesmarketing

How To: Mud Pan?

Slowtrawl — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:48:21 GMT

Looking for a good source on-line for step by step installation of a mud pan for shower?

Thanks

Help some advice is needed

GRR — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:34:37 GMT

Ok here goes..I have never been so frustrated in many many years here. I have a repeat customer I have been doing business with for years. He is a high end bean counter accountant. I will start here. He has a monster of a home in the high end of town where I live. This home has well over 2000 square foot cedar deck 2 leves with dual staricases and and spindle handrails all the way around.All in cedar. I stripped ceaned and resealed the deck 2 years ago for them. While there I replaced some rotten cedar boards( not many maybe 3 or 4) His total invoive was for over $4000.00 by the time he paid tax.Well here it is 2 years later he asks to have the deck redone.This time no rotten boards!!.So when I estimated this time I backed out $1100.00 from the estimate 2 years ago.I thought I was being a reasonable guy by not jacking the price on him.Like everything else has in life. so I told him that I have time and the weather is looking great for the week. He tells me to just go ahead and submit a bill to his secatary. I said no I dont work like that and that his estimate was going to be $2900.00 this time and I need a deposit of $1100.00 to cover expenses. I was in bit of a hurry due to weather concearns so I brought a skilled tradesman along with me to get the job done. well we got it done in 2 days.stripped clean and sealed. I submit the invoice for $ 2900 minus the deposit plus tax. he then sends a reply via emal stating that is not good enough. He wants a break down of what im charging. Thats funny he has never asked for that before?? So i provide him with a simple breakdown.as follows
$1500 labour
$ 800 materials
$ 500 to return in the spring to look it over and top up sealer where needed.
$100 for rentals (good pressure washer)
Then he says still not good enough he wants a breakdown of hourly weiges and material expenses ect. ect. I reply with I shouldnt have to do that seeing it was an estimated job and provided him with a breakdown on how I price my jobs and that in fact it isint any of his business how I run myme. An estimate is questionable before I begin not after the deposit has been given and the project is complete. so I folded and gave him a breakdown of what materials I used and how many jugs of each i used. I had to go to 4 different stores to get everything I needed. The cleaner was the better part of 30 a jug before tax and so was the sealer. Remember this is before tax.So ibumped it up to $50 a jug x 7 of each. He then replies he understands ark-up but not 250% to 400%?? I was blasted right then and there. So I ask him where he comes up with that figure and he says he found the same stuff for 12.95 a jug :eek:. So now I have an accountant that thinks he knows what what I used and how much I payed for it..Here is my question.I dont know where to turn with this guy. Im lost for the first time in 10 years.I have never had such an isue.what should I do? Any advice? I want to show him my recipts but I honestly feel that is my private business not his what I charge for mark-up. Lets say the product was $35 tax in is $50 a jug fair mark-up in your professional opinion? Remember I had to go to 4 differnt stores to get enough product to complete the project.Please if you think i have done somthing wrong I want to hear it.I can use all the help i can get on this so it never happens again.
signed Lost In Ontario Canada....

2 Cops Racing - NOT TO A CRIME - kill two people

wallmaxx — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:06:20 GMT

+ YouTube Video
ERROR: If you can see this, then YouTube is down or you don't have Flash installed.

http://networkedblogs.com/p18402676

Three level house boiler system

TremblayElec — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:04:41 GMT

I'm working on a three level home. It is a two zone system. One side of the home is on one zone and the other side is on the other. Here is my problem.

It is heating well and water is coming out of all radiators downstairs and main level. Barely any heat is coming from the upstairs radiators and no water is coming out when I bleed. There is air that comes out but then nothing comes out after awhile.

I believe there is a lack of water in the system. I have traced the water intake from the boiler and there is a pipe going to the hot water tank. I ensured both valves were open on the line but nothing.

The pressure gauge is at zero when it should be between 35 and 40. Which I believe is from the lack of water in the system.

If this is indeed a water shortage problem how can I add water to the system?

I can provide more info if required and pictures. I would really like to get this one fixed asap.

Thanks for any help, well appreciated.

Google Chrome OS

wallmaxx — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:59:28 GMT

+ YouTube Video
ERROR: If you can see this, then YouTube is down or you don't have Flash installed.

Google is fast becoming Big Brother through giving everyone "free" stuff that they have operational control over.

plumbing in a condo concrete

bobbyletap — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:41:08 GMT

Morning to all,

I have a job that i am about to submit a bid for, my crew and I are handling everything except some of the plumbing work.
The owner has purchased two condo's one on top of the other and is converting them into 1 big penthouse unit. They are set on concrete slaps and he wants to move a bathroom and also a toilet around, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what is involved in this also a rough cost. The work is in Atlanta GA and i want to find someone that knows what they are doing.

thanks in advance

Hardwood Cupping

RichieBates — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:37:34 GMT

Recently delivered 2 cartons of 5" pre-finished red oak "cabin grade" hardwood to a job site to allow acclimation. Only 2 cartons because we were planning on replacing some boards that had been damaged as a result of cupping. All indications were that the original floor was not properly acclimated prior to installation. I'm aware of what normally causes cupping and although we disputed the proper acclimation finding, we couldn't prove otherwise. The house is infrequently occupied, air heat and cooling, timber frame with insulated panel exterior. Super tight home, HRV set to run intermittently and vent the baths.

The bands were removed from the carton and the boxes cut open. 2 weeks later I returned to take moisture readings and discovered every board cupped, throughout the box. Moisture read 8-10%, as did all the other wood in the house. Returning the wood to a super dry environment has all but eliminated the cup, still is slight. Less than 6% moisture content, lowest reading on my meter.

RH in the house is elevated, but not extreme, 50-60%.

Original floor remains cupped, but acceptable to the Owner, thankfully with the exception of a few boards.

Basically, unless I dry the house to what I would consider an unhealthy level, I am unable to acclimate this wood.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm beginning to question the reasoning for the initial cupping.

Could the wood be too dry before the finish was applied?

Thanks in advance.

service magic exact match--MUST READ!

handyhands — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:25:35 GMT

If by chance, you're utilizing the service magic "exact match" program, here's something to be looking out for.

Go to google. Then, type in your company's name. Nothing else with it, JUST your company's name.

Look towards the right of the results page--where the "sponsored links" are.

If you're company name shows up towards the right, more than likely in the color "blue"--and you click on the link,....it drives you directly to service magic's website.

These scum are taking what could potentially be a targeted customer looking to go EXCLUSIVELY to your website,...hi-jacking that information,...selling it to other area contractors, and then selling what should have been your OWN EXCLUSIVE LEAD BACK TO YOU!!!!

And the saga continues.....:no:

Which is the Best Newel Post Fastener?

dbarnett — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:22:43 GMT

I will be starting a job soon where the newels at the top of a stairway can not be bolted though the side into the framing of the landing. I am considering on using either

(1) Fas-n-fast (2" diameter bolted connenction)
(2) Sure-tite (axial through bolt fasterners)
(3) L-bracket style fasteners coverved with molding

Which of these fastener types would be strongest to use for a top of stair newel that is only supported be a railing on one side?