Questions For The Bathroom Pros

mics_54

Ugh..I hope I am never known as a "bathroom pro"

charimon

It is a rather Crappy title

skyhook

Royal Flush.

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jarvis design

I will admit in my younger days there wasn't a task that I had seen done that I thought, heck, if they can do it, why can't I?? If you can work with someone for a while on a variety of jobs (ie: houses that are 20 and 150 years old), you will gain a lot of knowledge and experiance.
You don't want to hang your shingle then not be able to do the work!

The big risk is to get in way over your head - then drown

Hope you stick around the forum, its nice to have people who want to learn.

And, if you haven't, fill out your profile so people know where you are at!

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Bathrooms Built for Life.
www.JarvisDesignBuild.com
519-495-4062

Mike Finley

Only good contractors with experience and integrity, been around for awhile and know their limits ever drown on a job.

Handyman never drown on the job, the homeowners get screwed. Usually takes anywhere from an obvious couple of months for them to figure it out or up to a couple of years after they figure out that wet spot on the ceiling that shows up every once in a while, they thought was too far away from where the bathroom was is actually coming from the bathroom and it all comes back to the guy they hired on the cheap to do the work who was over his head and had to ask on an online forum for advice on how to do the entire job.

Only one better is the customers I met recently with the f-d up steam shower who still think they did nothing wrong hiring a guy who was reading a book on the job site to learn how to do it. They actually admired him for using a book. I guess they thought he was scholarly.

Let's all ask Mr. Handyman one more time what does his GL insurance policy say about covering this work?

Lets face it, a handyman is not going to draw limits for himself on a job, throw his hands up in the air and say okay, at the risk of something going terribly wrong down the road, I'm just going to have to hire a plumber and spend $800.00 out of my pocket to make sure this is right. I'm over my head and it's not worth it.

A handyman is never going to do that. They bid the whole project for $800.00 in the first place.

charimon

Mike, You bring up a good point.

I would phrase it Only folks (contractor, handyman, sub) with Integrity drown on a job.
Those who don't regardless of, or more likely because of, their experience and how long they have been around, will screw their clients.

(rambling thots)
Insurence is necessary. We all need to make sure out hineys are covered in case of the very worst. In the last year I have been brought in to deconstruct 2 Fine grade showers that were leaking only to find crazy reasons for the problem......when i do this kind of work it sharpens my resolve to make sure EVERY install is well done.

One of the reasons I have started hanging out here is some of you are as Anal about quality as I am but we use different methods so the discourse gets .
Craig

mc handyman

I am in Minnesota, northern sticks.

JumboJack

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

WNYcarpenter

Who needs MZ...HAHAHAHA!!!! If I had the technology, I'd post a link......Thanks OP

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"I knew I lost my wallet as soon as I threw my pants over the fence". -'lil jarhead bro when asking for a wire transfer...

Rio

Good point about the insurance, hire subs if and when you need or want them and get some good advice then go forward. Listen to your friend who's a plumber. Consider getting some design advice also. Remember to use an anti-scalding mixing valve per code, don't get discouraged by disparaging and belittling comments............................

JumboJack

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

KennMacMoragh

On my bathroom jobs I stick with what I know, which is the carpentry portion. Plumbers handle installing the shower, tile guy puts on tile. I've seen carpenters try to install showers before, it's funny, usually just doesn't work. Plumbers install showers in new construction, it's their trade, so let them do it.

mc handyman

Thank you! That is indeed the kind of advice I am looking for. I do intend to hire on subs when I do not have the resources or coverage to handle the job. In regards to all the comments, I can take it. Yes, I am a Handyman and I own a handyman Business with two very succesful locations that bring me in a very comfortable living for me as a current bachelor and college student.
I can take all these comments, the belittling ones, because I know that what I have is not second best. I know that in order to obtain the knowlege that I need to start a second leg to my enterprise I must be willing to take the hits. I do very much so respect your kind advice and support.
Thank You My Friend,
MC

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If you are afraid of criticism, you will die doing nothing.

JumboJack

Like on this job?

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

Mike Finley

No, we all know that is the all inclusive 'other' jobs.

As all handyman, he is focused on hiring a sub "when he doesn't have the resources or coverage". I didn't read anything there about he will hire subs when he is required by law. Handyman have a different set of laws, it's called: "if it worked at my house I can apply it to a customer's job."

He's got a lucrative biz going in 2 locations based on doing illegal work that he doesn't even know how to do. As long as he's got 'coverage' he's all set and can take these 'shots'.

mc handyman

I enjoy to hear your opinion on what you think all handyman business are. I will let you know that I am insured, most of my jobs I am wayyy overinsured, and yes, I do pay a big penny for this. I do not feel it is relevent to share with you what my exact coverage is being that I have nothing to prove to you. Let me ask you this. If you were developing a construction firm from scratch and using only owners equity to build it, would you be able to build it to a sagnificant level without subbing out some aspects of the work? Or do you always have the right tools, the right money, or the right ragulation to do so? I have subbed out a few jobs, yes. Is there anything wrong with that?
As far as your juvinile remark of "if it works at my house it will work at my clients". That is quite funny to me. I know you are just trying to get respect from your big time big shot high roller trade buddies but as far as I am concerned you have no idea what kind of work I do. All I can say is that I always have my personal roll of ducttape with me in the truck when I show up at a job.
All do respect, I am sure I am doing much better in business compared to you right now relitive to overhead and liabilities. I can sleep at night knowing that my phone is still going to ring multiple times each day. With the ever growing age of the "do-it-for-me" baby boomers, I am much satisfied with my business and assured that what I offer is a notch above the rest of the handyman that you have ever met. ohh did i mention that I am insured?

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If you are afraid of criticism, you will die doing nothing.

10fingers

Here are some of the revenue streams assigned to your project:

Demolition
Framing
Sub contracting (re plumber)
Drywall
Flooring
Trim
Paint

Why would you feel the need to do ever single aspect of the job? I look at the list and see areas of high risk. Screw up the shower pan drain and a small leak will not make itself known until all the drywall, flooring etc... has been completed. I've seen many drains installed and I still won't touch it. Ever had to rip out a new shower pan? Greatest asset I have as a business owner is knowing my limits. I suspect your projects are getting bigger and you feel you have a need to do all the work yourself. I suggest this is not good business practice and operating in this manner, in my opinion, is negligent. You are not using the best resources that are available at your disposal, i.e. certified trades people. Why not link up with a plumber and sub contract that portion of the project out and generate revenue through a general contracting fee? I look at projects as opportunities to generate different revenue streams.

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Ever get the feeling when your up to your arse in aligators that someone forgot to drain the swamp?

Mike Finley

Because handyman charge $20 an hour and are damn proud of it! How are they going to pay somebody who is charging at least 3 x what they do?

lopreste

What is the budget like? Hire/ sub a good pro with a lot of experience. Don't bid low so you have some cushion if something goes wrong.
does not sound like you have the experience you might want to take a pass until your skills catch up to your marketing.

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Steubenville handyman serving the Ohio Valley

JumboJack

Bottom line,if you have to ask these kind of questions,you have no business doing a bathroom remodel...

Bingo...

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber