Questions For The Bathroom Pros

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by mc handyman

My one and only problem with subing out is that many subs think that they should be entitled to make a substantialy unbeleivable profit.

Originally Posted by 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?

Originally Posted by mc handyman

My one and only problem with subing out is that many subs, that I have delt with, do either a shady job and it reflects back to my performance or, they think that they should be entitled to make a substantialy unbeleivable profit. I dont know, maybe I just have not found the right partners yet.

Originally Posted by mc handyman

The H/O and I have set a budget of $3,300 for Labor. The project consists of removing the existing shower pan, flooring, suspended ceiling, fixtures and toilet as well as two panel board walls. drywall entire room and tile floor. Add new shower, toilet, sink, vanity, lighting, exhaust fan/heater combo, paint and trim.

My one and only problem with subing out is that many subs, that I have delt with, do either a shady job and it reflects back to my performance or, they think that they should be entitled to make a substantialy unbeleivable profit. I dont know, maybe I just have not found the right partners yet.

Overall, good stuff. Thank you!

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by angus242

I'd normally be all over a post like this but grinding cushion backed vinyl off 350 sq ft of concrete has done me in today....so:

yeah, what they said

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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?

Originally Posted by naptown CR

Mike you are so full of S#$T and full of yourself. I worked for a handyman company. # 4 on the QR 500 list at the time. We charged $95 an hour with a 2 hour minimum + 35 trip charge. This poster sounds professional and seems like he is trying to do a good job. Why the belittling? Are you so insecure in your area of expertise that you can't take a little competition? What ever happened to mentoring and supporting someone new to the trades. Or is the current trend to keep all knowledge to the chosen few. You and I will be gone eventually and a new generation will take our place. Do we want them doing quality professional work because there were some old timers who took a few minutes to guide them in the right direction or a generation of poor quality? The choice is ours to make of it what we want. My personal feeling is if you cannot say or suggest something constructive or educational than STFU!

Originally Posted by jarvis design

We have a "handyman" service here - (can't remember the name!!) I know they keep busy, but, I have seen about 5-6 of their jobs (all plumbing related) - could not believe the sh*t work!!

I think they charged about $75.00 an hour.

The difference between them and your normal hack handyman - about $50.00 an hour - thats about it!