Which Came First, The Chicken...?

PipeGuy

This post in another thread http://www.contractortalk.com/f10/hickory-hardwood-flooring-4928/ got me to thinking. Do you agree with the premises made by Marco that bad contractors make it hard on the good ones?

Let me say first I'm not sure, from reading the post, that the "uneducated contractors" in the first sentence are the same folks as the "unscrupulous contractors" in the last. I'll assume they are.

As I read it, Marco is allowing that substandard work is getting done because the trades (uneducated contractors) are telling customers (in this case 'generals' or GC's) that it's OK to observe questionable means and methods.

I also read that Marco is implying that the practice of substandard means and methods by the trades is sufficiently widespread to make distrust amongst clients routine.

I don't see that it's the trades driving the problem of improperly coordinated work (installing flooring before close-in, painting cold houses, etc.). I see the customers demanding it and weak kneed contractors agreeing. How 'bout you? What does your experience show?

I also don't see a high percentage of jack-legs (as a % of the overall contracting community) out there working for succesful GC's or informed homeowners. Whether it's a GC or HO, anyone that doesn't do the 'due diligence' required in the contracting process is exposed to some risk of hiring the wrong guy by virtue of their ignorance. I think the handful of jack-legs out there help the pro's (by virtue of contrast) rather than hurt. What do you think?

mdshunk

That hasn't been my experience.

I have experienced improperly coordinated work (work done out of order) on spec homes, tract homes, and homeowner acting as GC homes. I have never experienced this from a GC on a custom home or from a GC on a presold home.

Glasshousebltr

Technically it wasn't the chicken or the egg. It was a bacteria like single cell organism referred to as a transitional form that wrapped protein fibers around itself to acquire motion.

But it still b###hed and wanted free work.

Bob

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Bob

Teetorbilt

I see it all. From the small GC who gets his schedule screwed up by subs to national developers who have the same problem. They have completion dates and will go to extremes to make closing. They must be making a lot of money as I have seen some things that must put a large dent in the bottom line.

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