Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum http://www.contractortalk.com Contractor Talk Forum | A Community of Professional Contractors Discussing Business and Trade Knowledge for the Construction and Remodeling Industry. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:02:19 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.contractortalk.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum http://www.contractortalk.com Gray Primer- Anyone use it Anymore? http://www.contractortalk.com/f8/gray-primer-anyone-use-anymore-68464/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:34:13 GMT It's been years since I've let a store make me a gray primer and once again I'm in for extra coats...

It used to be that they'd tint a primer 50-75% of the final red color and send you out the door. After the first few times doing 5 coats of a premium B-M or S-W I asked for a 100% tint and the results were much better.

After priming "P-3" gray and putting one finish of C.A. on the door, I know I've got at least two more coats. I's 2009! I want 1 primer and two finishes, max. I may just return this to S-W and color match a quart of Aura. I don't need the 10 bucks, I need to not paint a door 4 times.

Yes, I should buy an HVLP. Sell me your used one and hook me up with a qualified mechanic...:whistling

Now, I could be completely wrong about this so put away the napalm if I'm outta line :tongue_smilie:

Thoughts? ]]> NJPainter http://www.contractortalk.com/f8/gray-primer-anyone-use-anymore-68464/ here is some sales advice http://www.contractortalk.com/f12/here-some-sales-advice-68463/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:59:51 GMT "Be honest,but don't be stupid"....
that is something that was told to me years ago. I now bring this up because another home improvemnt contractor mentioned how honest he was and how he always encourages his potential customers to get at least 3 estimates. i looked at him and said that was the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard. why in the world would you tell a homeowner to get a few more bids? because you are such an honest guy? if thats the case,become a priest not a contractor. of course we need to be honest and have integrity but my god,why in the world would someone say something like that! bottom line: offer a high quality product,make sure its installed properly,treat your customer with respect(its their home you are in),and then charge whatever you think you need to make. if you need to make 5k from a siding job then charge accordingly,10k,the same thing.
but never say,"mr and mrs Jones,it was an honor showing you my products and discussing all the solutions that would fit into your home. however,before you decide to go with us,get a few more estimates...what the hell is that all about! ]]> welterweight http://www.contractortalk.com/f12/here-some-sales-advice-68463/ hello http://www.contractortalk.com/f44/hello-68462/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:57:39 GMT hello every one name is john from leduc alberta canada been working in the painting biz for about 10 years and doing drywall and texture for about 4 years looking forward to talking with some of you hello every one
name is john from leduc alberta canada
been working in the painting biz for about 10 years
and doing drywall and texture for about 4 years

looking forward to talking with some of you ]]> Introductions pipercub17 http://www.contractortalk.com/f44/hello-68462/ Customer asking for employees to sign release http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/customer-asking-employees-sign-release-68461/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:51:58 GMT Got a customer that not only wants the subs to sign a release form but he's also requesting all employees that worked on his job to do so.
Any ideas? ]]> Business serrano7503 http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/customer-asking-employees-sign-release-68461/ Lets see your customer work space. http://www.contractortalk.com/f40/lets-see-your-customer-work-space-68460/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:50:29 GMT After seeing some pics of people working in customers houses i was amazed how unorganized and messy some people are and wondered if this is a common thing? Post up some pics of your work area so i can figure if I'm OCD!






The best part is my view

]]> BCConstruction http://www.contractortalk.com/f40/lets-see-your-customer-work-space-68460/ hvlp http://www.contractortalk.com/f8/hvlp-68459/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:45:02 GMT hey there everyone just wondering what you all use for a hvlp system looking at buying a new one and i am not shure what to get also do any of you no a good place to buy them in canada thanks hey there everyone just wondering what you all use for a hvlp system

looking at buying a new one and i am not shure what to get

also do any of you no a good place to buy them in canada


thanks ]]> pipercub17 http://www.contractortalk.com/f8/hvlp-68459/ <![CDATA[I'm about to get sued]]> http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/im-about-get-sued-68458/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:21:06 GMT Long story short, trademark infringement.

My company - North Star Construction.
Other guy's - North Star Homes Inc.

US- Open for business 1 yr.
HIS- 20 yrs, 2 time Builder of the Year, well known/respected.

Some info:

-We are a registered company, licensed under this name, name search complete at time of registration.
-We never heard of them until today
-He is a New home builder/developer
-We consult,manage,design/build. We don't do new homes under this company name.
-Our logos look nothing alike
-None of our literature is similar.
-There are a slue of other North Star's in construction related sectors in Toronto.

I found out through my rep at the Builder's association, of which he is a member. He objected to my membership application due to our name. Now he wants to start a suit or force us to change the name.

I called him up, it didn't get me anywhere. He claims he will stop at nothing to stop us. I basically said, I understand his position but now it will come down to whether he has the legal grounds or not. His reply was, "I was hoping reason would prevail, but if you don't change your name I will fully pursue the legal route and I will put a lot of money behind it. It will cost both of us money but I won't back down, that's up to you".

Alright, so now I need your guys' opinions. Can he do it? Will he win? Changing our company name is going to be a huuge hassle.

BTW, he is not TM registered. ]]> Business Heritage http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/im-about-get-sued-68458/ So....How was YOUR day? http://www.contractortalk.com/f3/so-how-your-day-68456/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:03:05 GMT Well, here's mine. This is a commercial project, a nice one. When I showed up, it was "go, go, go" which is commercial, but I have SOME conscience. I laxed here and there and put stuff in that didn't sit well.

But in the last week or so, it has been beyond comprehension. There is a representative to the project which is one of the biggest nitwits I've ever seen. It goes something like this "There's a big party on Saturday. The subs must be out of these areas, whether they are finished or not"

I have literally on many occasions put some nails in and a fricken' painter was right there puttying the holes and another cutting in. It is a complete madhouse. I'd say at least 150 men working, all in each others way.

So now, they don't want us to cut inside. Only one place to go....guess where? And yes, I was cutting crown in the rain. And no, it was not just a shower. They want it up.....fine....it's up. Happy painting.

The rain on my saw doesn't bother me in the least bit. Doesn't hurt it at all. Cleaned right up when the day was over.

Oh yeah, at 2 PM, the guy came by, unplugged our cord, threw it out, closed the door. Said the Fire Marshall was doing his inspection. Time to call it a week. Do you ever get people this stupid in charge?





]]> Carpentry framerman http://www.contractortalk.com/f3/so-how-your-day-68456/ <![CDATA[Waterproof underside of t&g deck]]> http://www.contractortalk.com/f10/waterproof-underside-t-g-deck-68454/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:47:52 GMT Anyone have any suggestions on waterproofing the underside of a T&G deck. I need to prevent any water from coming through the area below and it is a post construction application. This is not new construction. ]]> Flooring Justin006 http://www.contractortalk.com/f10/waterproof-underside-t-g-deck-68454/ Below Deck waterproofing http://www.contractortalk.com/f4/below-deck-waterproofing-68453/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:41:26 GMT Anyone have a suggestion on how to waterproof/seal the underside of a tongue and groove deck. This is a post construction application and we need to prevent any water from coming through the decing to the area below. Anyone have a suggestion on how to waterproof/seal the underside of a tongue and groove deck. This is a post construction application and we need to prevent any water from coming through the decing to the area below. ]]> Construction Justin006 http://www.contractortalk.com/f4/below-deck-waterproofing-68453/ Linking Websites http://www.contractortalk.com/f101/linking-websites-68452/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:27:45 GMT http://www.doshdosh.com/link-building-for-new-websites/ 15 Link Building Tips for New Websites (http://www.doshdosh.com/link-building-for-new-websites/) New websites need links to develop any sort of search engine visibility. Links pointing to a new website can get it indexed and help it to... http://www.doshdosh.com/link-building-for-new-websites/

15 Link Building Tips for New Websites
New websites need links to develop any sort of search engine visibility. Links pointing to a new website can get it indexed and help it to start ranking for low to medium competition long tail keywords.
These keywords will send visitors searching for information on a specific topic to your website and allows you gain a new reader or make some money from whatever affiliate program or ad scheme you are running.
I’ve recently set up several websites for some friends and link building was my main concern because I needed links for the WebPages to be indexed and start showing up in the search engine.
I’ve previously written about the best way to get traffic for new websites and this article complements that by focusing on ways you can use to quickly acquire some links that will help your website. ]]> Websites and SEO festerized http://www.contractortalk.com/f101/linking-websites-68452/ <![CDATA[Anyone up for doing "Guest blog posts?"]]> http://www.contractortalk.com/f101/anyone-up-doing-guest-blog-posts-68451/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:29:28 GMT As the title states..

I'm looking for anyone that operates a blog hosted on their domain, that is actively updated. What I'd like to do is write a moderate to decent sized post which will include a 1-2 links back to my site.

The topic will obviously be home improvement related topics such as: Siding, decks, windows, roofs, etc..

The benefit of doing this will equal two things, fresh new content on your site followed by a backlink to my site. You should know that google loves fresh new content..

Just take a look at my blog and you can see how I write! mbmcarpentry.com/blog/

Let me know if anyone is interested...:thumbup: ]]> Websites and SEO Martin Co http://www.contractortalk.com/f101/anyone-up-doing-guest-blog-posts-68451/ waiving deductible for advertising credit on ROOFS http://www.contractortalk.com/f15/waiving-deductible-advertising-credit-roofs-68450/ 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. ]]> Roofing readynwilling http://www.contractortalk.com/f15/waiving-deductible-advertising-credit-roofs-68450/ Ya Win Some Ya Lose Some!! http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/ya-win-some-ya-lose-some-68449/ 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! ]]> General Discussion jarvis design http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/ya-win-some-ya-lose-some-68449/ Is this a code violation: One wire, two lugs? http://www.contractortalk.com/f5/code-violation-one-wire-two-lugs-68448/ 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.
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]]> Electrical Zinsco http://www.contractortalk.com/f5/code-violation-one-wire-two-lugs-68448/