Poor example of an Insurance Restoration Contractor - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

wallmaxx · 10-14-2007, 11:12 PM

I was going over some past projects and I came across a job we did for a great lady whose house had been fire bombed by her ex-husband.

She originally hired a big insurance recommended restoration contractor in Houston. We showed up after her friend asked us to drop by and check things out b4 they were to sheetrock it. While we were their, she asked us to submit a bid to install bead board plywood on her ceilings and maybe do something creative in her bedroom to spice it up a bit.

I just couldn't believe how bad all the framing was. Now its my nature to try to not bad mouth other trades work behind their back...that doesn't do anyone any good, but as it would happen, while she was out the super showed up with the sheetrock estimator. I pointed out a bunch of glaring code issues and ending my barrage with...so what's up? He asked me how I was related to this project and that I needed to keep to my own work.
(now I'm pissed)

The HO walked in and I smiled and told the super that maybe we should hash all this out like adults since we all want the best for the customer.

After I pointed out a couple of things, he became a bit upset and left. After we pointed out fixes for everything, she admitted to me that she had already released $60K to them to get it this far.

My best friend and I spent two weeks and fixed up her place to exactly as she wanted (and to structural framing code) for only $3500

Here is an example of what they called Ready to Rock restoration framing

See the rest of the story here.

I'm sorry, but this one still STEAMS me. How can someone take advantage of a lady like this?

send_it_all · 10-14-2007, 11:35 PM

You did WHAT for $3,500???!!!!
Let's see....2 guys....10 working days you say???
3500 divided by 10 = 350 per day...
divided by two = 175 per day
divided by 8 = $21.875 per hour per man.

The work you do is worth WAYYY more than that.

that's assuming only 8 hour days.

Again...very nice work.
I'm not wild about the arches in that particular house, but you did a great job.

wallmaxx · 10-14-2007, 11:42 PM

I know - we were helping her out at cost...I mean...damn...her ex threw a flaming gas can on her front porch. (Probably was the jealous type - she was a cutie). I was doing a second job at the time as well, (low voltage A/V install $20K for two weeks to put in the sound system in the new Nordstroms dept. store) Money wasn't the issue.

I just can't stand to see the big dogs steal people blind just because they don't know anything about construction.

But you're right, fair price for quality work.

send_it_all · 10-14-2007, 11:45 PM

Only Mike Holmes goes around paying for remodels for the less fortunate like the Robin Hood of construction....We need money!!!! At least i do.

wallmaxx · 10-15-2007, 12:01 AM

Mike Holmes - uggg

send_it_all · 10-15-2007, 12:04 AM

In all seriousness, I'm enjoying looking at the pics of your work..It's impressive. Keep it up...and make some money while you're at it.

thom · 10-15-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallmaxx

I just can't stand to see the big dogs steal people blind just because they don't know anything about construction.

Most likely the project was funded by an insurance company, not the homeowner. The contractor worked out the price with the adjuster. The customer cannot, CANNOT make money on an insurance repair. He did not overcharge her.

The single plate really isn't an issue. There is nothing structural there. From the looks of it, the problems you point out appear to have been part of the original structure (hence the shellac to cover the smoke) not the work of the restoration contractor.

I'm not a social service agency. I've seen far to many incompetent "contractors" bad mouthing out of ignorance in order to make themselves look superior at someone else's expense. I don't know if you fit that bill but from the example provided, I think you do.

**Cole** · 10-15-2007, 03:39 PM

................................

copusbuilder · 10-15-2007, 07:29 PM

It looks like there is a load on the single 2x4 wall. The ceiling joist are 3-4"s from the 2 x's.
Looks like the 2x's are 30" centers?? Looks like craponza to me

Still not sure I would have handled it that way

Are you sure that house is worth $60,000?

A W Smith · 10-15-2007, 07:52 PM

looks like there was a red inspection sticker on that French door

Tmrrptr · 10-15-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallmaxx

Now its my nature to try to not bad mouth other trades work behind their back...that doesn't do anyone any good,

Wall, you're a good man.

I feel a tradesman should do the best he can under all circumstances, and stand behind his workmanship to all who may enjoy it.

And I have personally done any number of projects where it was necessary for me to offer the excuse of "that's all that was in the budget."

A good percentage of the work we do is repair of poor workmanship by bona fide contractors held in high esteem by the community at large, and who earn a far better living than we do.

It's not my first trip around the block. A spade is a spade.
I will make critical observations before anyone. Chances are it may be to the workman's back, because he's running with the money, away from the site, or too busy making even more money elsewhere to be responsible for his past work.

I fully agree it is wrong to take a client's money and leave them with a liability. On the other hand, people usually get little more than they are willing, or able to pay for.

Most people's concept of a project's value is frequently less than the sum of the material costs. It is necessary for a quality builder to first bring them gently into the realm of reality. Hacks will not do so.
r