What The Heck Is Happening In DC?

urbanrevivals

Here's hoping some of you folks can figure this one out for me. I do historic preservation work (pretty much solo intricate detail work) so I don't have the insight I need to figure out WHY CAN'T I GET A GENERAL CONTRACTOR in DC (screaming... pulling hair out).

I've got a 1895 brownstone. Kitchen is gutted. Have 3 bathrooms needing total remodels, 2 have been stripped down. I'd consider this pretty good work, and back in 1996-7 (last time I needed a contractor) it was easy to get at least 2 bids. Now, nobody will even come to the house - only 1 show out of 6 calls. Lot more voicemails. Since 1997, we've done everything ourselves, but now in 2006 we've got a new shop out in MD for the growing business, and we've got to get the DC work done since I can't clone myself.

So - I've got some theories.
1 - All the contractors are in commercial work or building out the glut of condos in DC or working the most high-end remodels in gentrified areas
2 - Getting contractor-grade insurance is darn difficult (took me a long time to negotiate BAPP with contractor rider)
3 - DC's infamous permit process
4 - THe contractors are being driven further out due to higher land costs and DC's zoning laws (that' s why Im moving to MD; tried 2 years to expand in DC and can't)
5 - this is still considered small job work???
6 - contractors get nervous having customers that have already done the demolition?
7 - ???

Hope some of you in MD and VA can shed some light on this, since I know a lot of MD-VA contractors won't come into DC. I really can't get anyone to bid on work.
Cheryl

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Urban Revivals LLC - Architectural Ornament, Washington DC
http://www.urbanrevivals.com

Downeast

Seems like you are the General Contractor.You need subs.

DaveH

That's what I'd do call some subs, and turn this thing out...

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A buck a foot is not an estimate! It's a crap shoot!

urbanrevivals

Well that sucks. I haven't got the cycles for it (nor the skills, really, on the kitchen job). The subs I need aren't the workers I know ;-) But, yeah, you're right, that is going to be the way it goes. Just seems really bad in DC now. Never seen it like this here.

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Urban Revivals LLC - Architectural Ornament, Washington DC
http://www.urbanrevivals.com

Shellbuilder

So I take it you are an interior design service , Who would be paying for the remodeling?

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www.shelladditions.com

Gordo

Sounds like it could be a combination of all the above. My cousin is an electrical contractor living in MD.(Damascus) and he is swamped. Most of his work is around the Potomac high end. He hates D.C. because of traffic/parking/permitting so if you could handle that end of the job it may make things look better for the subs.

BTW my cuz is ready to move far far away from M.D. Says he is "churning money". Cost of living is high. Traffic sucks blah,blah.

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Looks like some pros were here.

dirt diggler

everyone's busy i guess ...

urbanrevivals

I do mainly trim carpentry (typically cornice constructions and three part Victorian designs), custom stairs (primarily the Victoriana stuff, adding in newel posts, building out landings or custom gates for eldercare reasons - I visit salvage yards a lot), gilding, plaster restoration, mantel, stone and tile restoration. Molds and castings, architectural ornament stuff. Antique restoration too. I love wood. Also do wood graining and some of the popular finishes you find in the buildings here in DC, most built between 1885 and 1915. It is a niche market. Detailing for homes and condo associations around here.

No No no No.... interior design work. Not my bag. Not ever. I can do the faux finishes, all of them, but do that only for "high cachet" jobs, that I can milk for press. Lots of newspapers and trade journals like those kinds of articles. Makes for good advertising. I much prefer the other woodworking and tile work. Less subjective, nicer and deeply appreciative customers!

(Shellbuilder - the money would be coming out of my pocket, but that's OK. My time is money, and I've got to get the MD shop and fulfillment center built out. THis home is a pain in the a** right now).

----- Gordo - you're right. I cut my service area down to just downtown DC. Didn't need the other areas anymore, had plenty of work here. I forgot about traffic because my footprint here is so small. Duh!

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Urban Revivals LLC - Architectural Ornament, Washington DC
http://www.urbanrevivals.com

PipeGuy

I'm the first generation of the last 5 in my family to grow up outside The District (I live in MD) and only the second to live more than 3 blocks from the Capitol. I'd say your reasons #1 and #3 thru #6 are on the mark (insurance isn't hard provided you're charging enough to pay for it).
There are always hack subs to be found if that's your thing, otherwise it's going to take some work to find the guy(s) that need the next job now. From what I hear this is a pretty good resource http://www.dcmsa.com/. Maybe you can find the right people.

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Fortunately I keep my feathers numbered for...for just such an emergency. -Foghorn Leghorn

mikesewell

#5 Bingo!

Not profitable for most general contractors. Ever try to pay for a bulldozer by operating a putty knife?

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Commercial construction

Sewell Construction

tgeb

I do excavation and concrete work for at least 4 GC's that do work in DC. I have 1 site we are going to this week.

If you want to PM me some info I can get you in touch with one or more of them.

One of these GC's has recently started a "Kitchen and Bath division".

Hopefully your place is in NW. No one wants to go to the other quadrants.

Get in touch w/ me and maybe we can get you squared away

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Tom

www.gebcon.com

dirt diggler

[QUOTE=tgeb]

Hopefully your place is in NW. No one wants to go to the other quadrants.

QUOTE]


i was gonnna say --- this isn't in SE is it?? if so --- there's your answer !!