Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum - General Discussion http://www.contractortalk.com Discuss general topics that apply to all trades here. Please do not use this forum for Off Topic discussions. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:01:34 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.contractortalk.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum - General Discussion http://www.contractortalk.com 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/ Cabot deck sealer(opinion) http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/cabot-deck-sealer-opinion-68446/ 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. 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. ]]> General Discussion Destin Handyman http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/cabot-deck-sealer-opinion-68446/ Yes. I will hire you to fix my Hose. http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/yes-i-will-hire-you-fix-my-hose-68444/ 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... 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.. ]]> General Discussion BamBamm5144 http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/yes-i-will-hire-you-fix-my-hose-68444/ plumbing in a condo concrete http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/plumbing-condo-concrete-68437/ 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 ]]> General Discussion bobbyletap http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/plumbing-condo-concrete-68437/ Project Estimating http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/project-estimating-68396/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:16:45 GMT When bidding a standard remodeling job, for example a basement remodel, is there a basic formula to use as a guideline? Materials + Labor + Profit Margin? What is the average profit margin being used in todays market? I should have been more specific. How much on average have you adjusted your... When bidding a standard remodeling job, for example a basement remodel, is there a basic formula to use as a guideline? Materials + Labor + Profit Margin? What is the average profit margin being used in todays market?

I should have been more specific. How much on average have you adjusted your anticipated profit margin per job, due to the decline in the economy, when estimating? ]]> General Discussion stylecraft http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/project-estimating-68396/ Shortage of tradesmen http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/shortage-tradesmen-68392/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:49:01 GMT Do you guys think there will be a shortage of trademens in 5 to 10 years. With most construction work being so slow, and with trade schools not Filling up. I think more and more people are staying away from learning a construction Trade in the near future. What do you guys think Do you guys think there will be a shortage of trademens in 5 to 10 years.
With most construction work being so slow, and with trade schools not
Filling up. I think more and more people are staying away from learning a construction
Trade in the near future. What do you guys think ]]> General Discussion INTRA http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/shortage-tradesmen-68392/ Online Resources for Building Materials? http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/online-resources-building-materials-68383/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:09:28 GMT Ive slowly but surely been doing more planning and working online. My wife does all of her shopping on line and says she always finds great prices and customer service. I decided to do a google search for Building Materials in hopes of finding some new suppliers, manufacturers, etc. that may make... Ive slowly but surely been doing more planning and working online. My wife does all of her shopping on line and says she always finds great prices and customer service. I decided to do a google search for Building Materials in hopes of finding some new suppliers, manufacturers, etc. that may make my life easier. Have any of you had any success or horror stories in dealing with these online companies? These are the top three results that google gave me:

1) Building Materials - Sweets Network

2) Laminate Floors - Build Direct

3) ebuild | Home Building Materials

Have any of you used any of these services? Is it worth the time? ]]> General Discussion TimberTom http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/online-resources-building-materials-68383/ Tearing Up Tile for My Folks (TILE GUYS PLEASE HELP!)- Opinions Please http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/tearing-up-tile-my-folks-tile-guys-please-help-opinions-please-68373/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:21:00 GMT Alright guys quick Q and A: 1. The folks are super cheapos; although they have money. 2. I did a HUGE paving job for them around thier pool; quote from local contractor was 30K. I did it for less than 7k, made 0 dollars - just to be nice, it was NOT appreciated. 3. They are remodeling their... Alright guys quick Q and A:

1. The folks are super cheapos; although they have money.
2. I did a HUGE paving job for them around thier pool; quote from local contractor was 30K. I did it for less than 7k, made 0 dollars - just to be nice, it was NOT appreciated.
3. They are remodeling their kitchen and have about 1100sq feet of new tile to go down.

Currently they are debating the following:

1. should they tear out the old tile, or put new tile on top?

Quote for removal is about 2600.00. I told them I would do it for them for 1000.00. I am wondering this:

There is a lot of thin set underneath the tile, I tested a small area and its not coming up with the tile. IF i rip the tile out, I am going to have to use a floor grinder to smooth everything out:

1. HAS ANYONE USED THESE - HOW WELL/FAST DO THEY WORK?

2. DO YOU THINK I SHOULD EVEN BOTHER TRYING TO HELP THEM?

3. CAN I GET THE THIN SET PRETTY SMOOTH AND LOWER IT SO THEY CAN JUST FLOAT THICKER THIN SET ON TOP?

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE - NEED TO START OR TELL THEM NO ASAP.

ONE GUY SAID HE COULD DRILL HOLES IN THE TILE AND THEN THIN SET ON TOP, ANOTHER GUY SAID HE COULD USE EPOXY BASE AND GO RIGHT OVER THE TOP, ANOTHER GUY SAID THEY ARE IDIOTS, TEAR OUT THE TILE.

A SIDE NOT: THE NEW TILE IS ACTUALLY STONE; TRAVER-TINE. ]]> General Discussion tuffplay http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/tearing-up-tile-my-folks-tile-guys-please-help-opinions-please-68373/ Bilingual ? Good or Bad http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/bilingual-good-bad-68371/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:31:46 GMT Learning Spanish yet ? English is the International language. Spanish and Italian are similar sounding so why not learn them both? Learning Spanish yet ?

English is the International language.

Spanish and Italian are similar sounding so why not learn them both? ]]> General Discussion skyhook http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/bilingual-good-bad-68371/ Load Testing of Floor System http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/load-testing-floor-system-68367/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:30:46 GMT I am a contractor in Baltimore, MD area. I have been involved with a project where I need to find a load carrying capacity of floor, beams and column. This is old existing office building and now we are converting to a assembly use. Any body has any experience with any testing agency who can... I am a contractor in Baltimore, MD area. I have been involved with a project where I need to find a load carrying capacity of floor, beams and column. This is old existing office building and now we are converting to a assembly use.
Any body has any experience with any testing agency who can perform this type of tests ?

Brad, ]]> General Discussion Bharat http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/load-testing-floor-system-68367/ Siding affected by heat reflections from windows http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/siding-affected-heat-reflections-windows-68359/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:41:03 GMT This was pretty interesting, and I'm wondering if anyone has a solution to this problem? Luckily the home owner is ok with it.

A piece of siding developed a concave bend in it out of nowhere, the siding was replaced, then the same thing happened again right away. We noticed that the neighbors upstairs window which had LowE coating, was reflecting the suns heat and directing it directly to this particular piece of siding, causing this issue.

The siding used is mastic carvedwood, however I'm wondering that should siding have been put with form fitted insulation behind it, would it be able to resist the warping do you think?
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]]> General Discussion Exteriors123 http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/siding-affected-heat-reflections-windows-68359/ Tired of ........ http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/tired-68351/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:30:14 GMT Do you guys ever get tired of dealing with all the different personalities, employees, subs, retailers, wholesalers, sales people, customers etc...etc.....etc.... or is it just me? I would say that 95% of the time I love my job and would not want to do anything else .... EVER.... but man, some... Do you guys ever get tired of dealing with all the different personalities, employees, subs, retailers, wholesalers, sales people, customers etc...etc.....etc.... or is it just me?

I would say that 95% of the time I love my job and would not want to do anything else .... EVER.... but man, some days it just seems like I am a referee, or a councillor, or just the a$$hole boss. On days like this I just want to hang it all up and go to work for someone else and leave work at work.... let it be someone else's problem.

Then you get that big thank you from a customer or someone comments on a great job and everything is great again.

Just a rant guys thanks for the ear....



Cheers ]]> General Discussion Tattoo http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/tired-68351/ Falling crane splits house in half http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/falling-crane-splits-house-half-68347/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:35:29 GMT :eek: Video... http://www.wgal.com/video/21651566/index.html :eek:

Video... http://www.wgal.com/video/21651566/index.html ]]> General Discussion Tinstaafl http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/falling-crane-splits-house-half-68347/ Bathroom exhaust venting http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/bathroom-exhaust-venting-68344/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:27:22 GMT I have 2 exhaust fans to wire and install.

Can I couple the (2) 4" aluminum vents into 1 common 4" vent?

Or am I better off doing 2 separate runs? ]]> General Discussion Magnettica http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/bathroom-exhaust-venting-68344/ Insurance jobs http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/insurance-jobs-68342/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:46:07 GMT I know a few people that often abuse there insurance policies and the insurance companies seem to be happy to oblige as long as you use the contractors they want to send out. And then they seem to get all tore up if you want to use some one else. Any of you guys sucked in there with the... I know a few people that often abuse there insurance policies and the insurance companies seem to be happy to oblige as long as you use the contractors they want to send out. And then they seem to get all tore up if you want to use some one else.
Any of you guys sucked in there with the insurance companies, whats the deal.
Come on don't be shy. ]]> General Discussion izzy http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/insurance-jobs-68342/