Signing Your Work - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

dokuhaku · 02-17-2009, 11:18 AM

I read that it was once commonplace for wood flooring craftsmen to 'sign their work'. This practice apparently ranged from signing their name on area which would be covered by baseboard, to using a 'brand' to burn their logo into an inconspicuous plank, perhaps at the back of a closet.
I am just curious if anyone has seen this. It reminds me of sidewalks around here with the stamped names of the concrete companies and the dates they poured the sidewalks.

JonM · 02-17-2009, 11:20 AM

I only need to see my name on the check...

Mike Finley · 02-17-2009, 11:24 AM

This is something I have always done and encourage those working for me to do. We often sign the interior of a wall before it gets closed up, saying something like -- this bathroom remodeled by Rocky Mountain Bathrooms on Feb 15, 2009 by.... have everybody sign it.

It's fun and it's kind of cool to leave a little time capsul behind for the next time somebody remodels the place in the future.

**Cole** · 02-17-2009, 11:42 AM

I agree, I think everyone should do this. I started doing it a couple of years ago at the request from my clients I had at the time, we did it the same way Mike does. Signed by everyone.

31b · 02-17-2009, 11:43 AM

i know some people sign or make their mark in some way inside service panels they've done. Sort of a sign pride in craftsmanship, for their work of art installing a brand new cleanly wired panel.

Cdat · 02-17-2009, 11:56 AM

Been doing it since day #1.

Mike Costello · 02-17-2009, 11:57 AM

I usually leave a little DNA behind when I cut myself

the big 12 inch · 02-17-2009, 12:59 PM

Iv'e run across some old newspapers repairing floors over the yrs. from as far back as the 1930's

threaderman · 02-17-2009, 01:22 PM

I wouldn't call it signing,but I had a quirk for years and years that every toilet I installed I pee'd in

.Never pooped,never would.I think it's the fact I drink so much coffee that by the time I'm done playing with the water on the install I have to pee so bad I can't stand it.Now I just go to my truck for the coffee can.Sorry guys,I had a canceled appointment and I'm bored,or rather taking a break from warehousing .

Celtic · 02-17-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the big 12 inch

Iv'e run across some old newspapers repairing floors over the yrs. from as far back as the 1930's

When I was rocking my own home in Nov., I left a couple of entire newspapers in a cavity or two. Dated Nov. 5th, 2008.
Maybe someday, somebody will find it.

Being an electrician, there aren't too many places for us to leave our "mark".

wallmaxx · 02-17-2009, 09:58 PM

I knew a framer in Clarkville, TN who always would take a quarter (25 cent piece) and nail it to a header in the house he was framing.

**loneframer** · 02-17-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

This is something I have always done and encourage those working for me to do. We often sign the interior of a wall before it gets closed up, saying something like -- this bathroom remodeled by Rocky Mountain Bathrooms on Feb 15, 2009 by.... have everybody sign it.

It's fun and it's kind of cool to leave a little time capsul behind for the next time somebody remodels the place in the future.

Yeah, our drywall subs used to leave time capsules in the empty glue tubes inside the walls.

dokuhaku · 02-17-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threaderman

I wouldn't call it signing,but...

You are a true professional. After installing a transmission, a mechanic will take the vehicle out for a test drive. I see no difference.

davy crockett · 02-17-2009, 10:20 PM

In my neck of the woods I wish more "craftsmen" would sign their work so they could be located to pay for subsequent damage caused by their "craftsmanship". Look out boys stimulus checks are coming and everybody's a contractor now.

trptman · 02-18-2009, 12:41 AM

Yeah, I've signed my name inside a wall or two, but I've also put a different twist on it.
It's kind of fun to mess with other guys working with you.
I've signed "(other guy's name) likes little boys (then the date)".

I think it will make for a much more interesting time capsule.

Old North · 02-20-2009, 09:27 PM

I always leave a signed & dated business card, a newspaper and whatever else is lying around when I close something up, and I've found quite a lot too...anyone ever found anything interesting?

dubz · 02-20-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old North

I always leave a signed & dated business card, a newspaper and whatever else is lying around when I close something up, and I've found quite a lot too...anyone ever found anything interesting?

When I was around 8, I was gophering for my father while he was doing the church roof in town. He found a piece of paper that had some figures on one side and the towns voting list on the other, which included his father and uncles name on it. (my grandfather and great uncle)

I love to find peoples names or newspapers when tearing something apart so I always write my name and date on anything I build. Sometimes I throw a card behind stuff.

I have some old glass marbles that I found, that's about it for treasure.

Floordude · 02-20-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubz

I have some old glass marbles that I found, that's about it for treasure.

You got any pictures of those marbles??

Mellison · 02-20-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

This is something I have always done and encourage those working for me to do. We often sign the interior of a wall before it gets closed up, saying something like -- this bathroom remodeled by Rocky Mountain Bathrooms on Feb 15, 2009 by.... have everybody sign it.

It's fun and it's kind of cool to leave a little time capsul behind for the next time somebody remodels the place in the future.

Absolutely,
always a newspaper, or magazine. My favorite is to leave a Playboy. Imagine the suprise 25 years from now when some greenhorn opens a wall to find a 1996 Pam Anderson cover.

22rifle · 02-21-2009, 01:06 AM

I signed my boilers. And the pipes in a crawl space.