Looks or feel? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Joewho · 11-09-2007, 11:37 PM

Who goes by how their work looks and who just has to make sure everything is smooth?

I just had an epiphony and realized that I feel everything and everything must be smooth. If I go on a job and feel a perfectly good looking ceiling and it's a little rough, I automatically get the urge to smooth it.

Anyone else?

KellyPainting · 11-10-2007, 07:46 AM

100% look another 75%feel.

Brian · 11-10-2007, 06:16 PM

I follow PDCA standards-- how it looks under normal lighting from a normal viewing position.

Brian Phillips

regal · 11-10-2007, 06:47 PM

yes, but some times we all must say.. "looks good from my house".......just kiddin. Im probably a "looks" more than "feel" at the end of the job... primers after sanding is more of a "feel" and less "look"......follow?....

Joewho · 11-11-2007, 07:13 PM

Somewhere along the way I got into the habit of making everything smooth. It's costing me.

localtradesman · 11-12-2007, 03:41 AM

I am the same way....I try to do perfect work.... I catch just about everything before hand. I drive myself crazy sometimes. My subs never get over on me...."The Col." Semper Fi

firemike · 11-12-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by localtradesman

I am the same way....I try to do perfect work.... I catch just about everything before hand. I drive myself crazy sometimes. My subs never get over on me...."The Col." Semper Fi

Same here. I think it dates back many moons ago working with my grandfather. He was an old-school machinist, worked on heavy equipment, and a woodworker building boats, furniture, etc. He felt everything, didn't matter if it looked good, it had to "feel good" too. Every weld, every grind, no matter waht, he felt it to make sure it was right. I still remember him telling me to "look with your fingers, not your eyes! Your fingers will 'see' things your eyes can't!"

Workaholic · 11-15-2007, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal

yes, but some times we all must say.. "looks good from my house".......just kiddin. Im probably a "looks" more than "feel" at the end of the job... primers after sanding is more of a "feel" and less "look"......follow?....

Yeah i too say that one a lot. I am more of a feels for trim, and siding, and a looks for walls. I hate ppl rubbing on walls.

Joewho · 11-15-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workaholic

Yeah i too say that one a lot. I am more of a feels for trim, and siding, and a looks for walls. I hate ppl rubbing on walls.

Don't be a hater, man.

Other painters have gotten disgusted with me for running my hands over walls. Some have asked how I do it without leaving any marks.

Lots of skilled painters out there, sometimes the only differnce between me and them is that my walls are smooth. Unfortunately, there aren't many customers who give a rats ass anyway.

Workaholic · 11-15-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joewho

Don't be a hater, man.

Other painters have gotten disgusted with me for running my hands over walls. Some have asked how I do it without leaving any marks.

Lots of skilled painters out there, sometimes the only differnce between me and them is that my walls are smooth. Unfortunately, there aren't many customers who give a rats ass anyway.

LOL not a hater, i was speaking more of other trades, ho's, ect.

Joewho · 11-15-2007, 07:12 PM

I can't see out of one eye and blind in the other. I do see with my hands.

But, I recently got glasses, but too late, I got old and have to take them off to see close up anyway. I just can't win.

Really though, this is a sometimes bad habit I got from doing trim and things , same as you WAH. Also, from working for the dang antiques guy.

I got obsessed with feeling table tops to make sure they were smooth. And now I can't break the habit. Maybe I need therapy.

My name is Joe, I like to rub walls til my leg shakes. oooohhhhh.

regal · 11-17-2007, 06:50 PM

or change your name to Howard Hughes

Brian · 11-17-2007, 07:34 PM

I rebuilt my pantry a few years ago. I never got around to painting the door frame until today.

It looked and felt fine, until I put paint on it. Then it looked like crap. But to be honest, I can live with it. It looks 100% better than it did yesterday.

My point is that sometimes perfect isn't necessary. A big improvement is a big improvement, and often that's all we are called to do.

What is possible is not always what it practical. We are in business to make money (or at least I am). I don't try to sell my customers the perfect job, because they seldom want or need it. I try to sell them what they want/ need.

Perfect costs a ton of money. Close to perfect costs much less, and is truly what most people want. When I realized this I started making a lot more money.

Brian Phillips