Flip This Shack

Glasshousebltr

Just saw an episode of Flip This H. It had to be the worst I've seen yet. They squeeze the contractor until blood runs out his subs nose then brag about the great job and how they made 58k on it.

Makes me frickin sick. I think if they keep that crap on the tube customers will start thinking "squeeze."

The whole show represented a prime example of the dumbasses I wont work for.

Bob

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Bob

Teetorbilt

I get calls everyday which are pleasently rejected. We don't do sub-standard work.

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Sider' Brian

In our "look how much money I saved" society cosumers are a bit too much focused on price rather than service and quality.
Don't get me wrong I'm all for a lower price for the same goods however given the intricacies of home improvements in general do you really want to bragg about being cheap?

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PrecisionFloors

I agree whole heartedly, well put. I get those people alot too....being the cheapest guy in town is NOT my idea of a good business goal....unless your Walmart. Would you trust a Walmart clerk with any of your other INVESTMENTS. That gets some of them to think, the rest.... I don't want to do business with anyway.

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asbestos

I saw that also and it just pissed me off. I knew that dude was a douche bag within about 3 seconds.
The fat bastard starts in to try and show mr. macho prick he is a bad(*% too, then #$%$@head jumps out of his car and is all cussing up a storm and tring to show how big his manhood is. should have walked away from him then. Damn I hate pricks like that. What a major #$%$#, He sucks. I hope he meets a bigger prick then he is. People like that are always in court.
What he said---
"I have never fought with a contractor before"

What that means

The only contractors I don't fight with take all my abuse and lose money on my jobs

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Glasshousebltr

Yea when butthead jumped out of the truck I thought I'd see some WWF action. Homie took it pretty good though, I don't know if I could have done the same. If creeps like that could read my mind as they pulled crap like that.....well, I'd bet I wouldn't be listening to it, and it might drive them to making that gun purchase they've always thought about.

Bob

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Bob

firemike

I refuse to even watch pathetic shows like that, one trade magazine called them "Remodeling ****ography" on the way the portray contractors and the construction industry in general. After giving a proposal, I will get a call from the potential client saying "I saw it done on [wahtever show] for $$$$$ and they did it in 3 days, how come you can't do it for the same amount" or "Why will it take 6 days." That is a big red flag and I usually do whatever I can to not get the job.

I've even gotten tired of This Old House lately. When they whine because the ONLY have a $450,000 remodeling budget and state "I don't know if we can do everything we want for that amount!" Come on! That's more than many people actually spend on their house, let alone remodel it...

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Tscarborough

It is all relavtive~I have worked on 30 million dollar home remodels.

slickshift

Never seen the show (Flip This)
Anyone got a vid of this episode-or know of one online?

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Glasshousebltr

Heres what it says on the A&E site:

12 - Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Team Trademark takes on a house in the sleepy area of Rock Hill, South Carolina. On paper it's a home run: great community, on a golf course, and an easy fix. But, when contractors start to get out of hand and the invoices start rolling in, Richard has to step in a set things straight. If you've ever thought about getting into the real estate business this is an episode not to be missed. Learn some of the intricacies of hiring and handling contractors, what to look out for, and what to be aware of--before you get the final bill.

Ha....What a crock!

Bob

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TimNJ

I have used this line on people before (after I say it I walk out on them)

"You know next to your health, your home is generally the most important investment you ever make. Since price is so important, if you were facing say...heart surgery, would you go price shopping and tell Dr.X that Dr.Y is 10% cheaper for the same surgery?" HO: "But...Uh... But...Nobody would do THAT."

Kristina

Yeah, I don't think we'd do work for someone who planned to "flip" the house.

It's logical that they would want the most out of you for the least amount of money.

No thanks.

Leave the "flipping" to the contractors themselves. That's what we are doing with this house and hope to do with the next.

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MarkNoV

I saw the show, and I think that the contractor made out OK. IIRC, the budget was $10K, the bill came to $40K, they settled for $36K. Chubby was swearing because he knew he screwed up the supervision. It is an old trick, be outraged and repeat a lie untill you start believing it yourself.

Curiously the flipers never said it out loud, but they knew that the flip would be difficult with a lien. They knew that the contractor had them by the shorts, thus the swearing.

I installed some windows years ago and the HO wanted to hold back payment. The house had a "For Sale" sign. I said politely that they should be aware that the first one to be paid at signing would be me. Got a cheque within hours (by courier) accompanied by what I assume was a nasty letter.

I love flippers.

Incidentally, it was a POTENTIAL profit of $58K.

Mark

camaroman2125

I like to watch the show to see how bad they can screw themselves. The one I thought was the best is when they didn't pull permits to start working and a neighbor called the inspector and he came down to the site and shut them down.

The crew called the main guy and he told them to keep working which they did. Again the inspector came out and told them if they didn't shut it down they were all going to jail.

Then when the guy got fined he said I know people in high places that will take care of this for me. In the end I think he ended up paying a fine and had to pull all the required permits.

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JAARONC

I love the fact that there is such a rush to get the house finished in 7-10 days, but they dont say how long it sits on the market for the insane price they need to sell it for to make a profit.

Cole

Well they are getting new cast so I am curious to see how they work also.

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Pearce Services

BOTH sides made significant mistakes on this show.....

It should be a case study for all new contractors and House Flippers alike.

How many of you guys laughed out loud, when she stated the budget was 10k for labor, the contractor gives a look of "yeah right", then says "that shouldn't be a problem". He knew, you knew, I knew that it was not going to happen, the little footnote said 5 days 10 guys 10 hours per day, thats $20/hour to the end user, NFW.

Of course this conversation occurred after they started, he was in there working with no idea what the budget was, or how he was going to be paid, with an out of town contractor, no wonder he took the key when he left at night.

Taking contradictory orders from 2 different people, (crown molding, sink, landscape).

I think they all looked like FOOLS.

Teetorbilt

I've missed this, sounds like a good comedy. I'll have to check it out.

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mc_ci

ok I'll be THAT GUY. I can see both sides, but I would have to lean towards the sub for fault. The sub was told about the $10,000 budget and he went ahead with all of the changes till he hit the $40,000 mark. That is 4 times the agreed apon price with out a single bit of paper to cover his A$$. If you are ever in danger of going over a budget, PLEASE help yourself and get a writen and signed change/work order by somone that is authorized to give you one. I know that this is more paperwork, but I look at it like this. Paperwork doesn't bring in the money, it keeps in the money. I am sorry to rant like this but I have been squeeeeeezed by much bigger companies than this silly "reallity" tv based flipper. I was saved only by the inch thick stack of change orders I had. anyway I always say watch you own back because everyone else is busy watching theirs.

JAL

I also watched some of this and kept wondering what the home owner who buys the house will really end up with. Quality construction? You guys are the best judge of this.