Homeowner Help

fourcornerhome

How do you tell the home owner NO when they want to save by doing some of the work? 2nd time now that a customer painted the walls before my taper did his final sanding One job still had some spatters from ceiling texturing.On the plus side,both these people were OK with the job,and taper was paid in full,but holy smokes,they turned a good job into crap.

john5mt

Charge him the extra to fix it and make it right.

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1st Gen tradesman
My summer job in college became my profession

jcalvin

I work all that out before hand. I don't mind if they want to save some money by doing things themselves as long as it doesn't cost me any money or time. I currently have a HO who wants to paint his house to save some money. It is about a 2800sq' 12' ceilings 4bed 4bath and he thinks that he can buy materials for around $500 and do it in a weekend. Did I mention that he told me that he HATES painting?

I have found that if they get their hands a little dirty on the project, most of them will appreciate you more and quit asking you questions or second guessing you.

I did give him a timeline that he must be done by so I can complete the project. I gave him about an extra week over what it should take a painter. After his deadline is up, I'm moving on with the trim out. I can't put off all my other projects for the sake of his slow painting techniques and quest to save money.

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Cal


You hired WHO

send_it_all

I have had customers ask me about painting the job themselves. Fortunately, I was able to talk them out of it. I tell them that there is a big difference in craftsmanship between a professional painter and them, and that even if I give them the best workmanship in the world, a bad paint job will ruin the whole deal. "Paying for a professional paint job is some of the best money you can spen on your project." I also tell them that I keep a portfolio of my work for references, and that I wouldn't be able to use their job in my portfolio if they painted it...."no offense".

d-rez

Tell them your insurance company does not allow it (it is probably true!). I hear you on wanting to accomidate a client, though. Just had a client say the SAME thing to me this last week. I told them I would be willing to build their job from the begining to drywall, then I'm outta there. He actually agreed. I have to now figure out how to have my contract worded in regards to my plumbers and electritions doing the trim out. This is also the same client, during our first meeting, that told me he does not see the point in hiring someone (GC) to do something that he can do himself (then why are you talking to me?). I asked him if he changed his own oil, he said no.

kevjob

we do not allow Ho to do any of the work. The last thing I want is a great job with a sh*t paint job. Most understand those that dont, We thank you for this opp.....etc..

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

woodchuck2

No up front means NO. If they want to help or think they can do it themselves then they can do the whole thing themselve. They obviously dont need me.

trptman

Of course there's the old line...
Here's the price...
If you want to watch, me add "x" to the price
If you want to help me, add "2x" to the price

Jcllc

I just finished a job for one of those "I want to help" HO.I t was a complete bath remodel. demo down to the studs,new plumbing ,elect. etc..I forewarned the subs I had before they started and told them if they started with "I want to help" to be polite and just say everything is under control here and if they would like when you are done you would reallly appreciate help with cleaning up at the end of the day. I have found most "I want to helpers"will then just go to another area of the house and never bother you again. good luck..

SelfContract

HOs can always clean up after each day.

orson

Just tell the homeowner they're welcome to do any part of the job they wish, however, they have to do it when they're scheduled just like any other subcontractor, they have to get it done on schedule,.....and oh, yeah, it doesn't reduce the price of the job at all. They usually lose interest....

Phenometom

HO PAINTED BEFORE WALLS WERE SANDED!!!!? Nothing infuriates me more. Wait till the check clears then slap him with his $1.99 paint brush!

Complete Pro

I just came from a walk through with a HO who wanted to supply all the materials for their job, an add on bathroom in a garage of a rental house they want to get rid of. The HOs had already started the work by breaking out the concrete floor, but hadn't thought about where all the fixtures would be located before they started the jack hammer. They wanted to supply all the studs, sheetrock, plumbing fixtures, drain lines, supply lines, fittings, solder, ...everything, including the concrete to patch the floor that they had already messed up. They even told me they though they had enough nails to get it all done!

I politely let them know that unless I supply the materials, I cannot warranty the job. They wanted me to do all the work, pull all the permits, insure the job, use my plumbing contractor, (but their plumbing supplies), and finish a job that they shouldn't have taken on and started on their own in the first place. I suggested they find a handy man and next time call a professional remodeler BEFORE starting the job on their own.

RIP George.

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dayspring

As with drugs, I just say.... NO!

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"Never met a man yet that I couldn't learn something from"
http://remodelingncarolina.com

kevjob

we typically don't allow HO to help, I had one job turn to crap because HO painted and left streaks bad cut lines and looked like a 4yr old painted it. My painter gave her the deal for the repaint and afterwards I could take pics of the finished job.

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver