Need "creative Solution": Clawfoot Tub

ruger9

Putting a new floor in a bathroom, very old house. Clawfoot tub. Plumbed in (all sweat.) I'm not a plumber, and realize the best way to do this is to call in a plumber to uninstall, then reinstall the tub. However, this is the only bathing apparatus in this house, and I don't know if I'm going to be able to get a plumber there 2 consecutive days or not (I haven't asked). Not to mention that I'm sure the homeowner won't want the 'extra expense" (big surprise). What is it with everybody wanting "something for nothing?"

I'm wondering if there is some way to install the floor (pergo, I know bad idea for a bathroom, but since when do homeowners listen to professional advice?) WITHOUT uninstalling the tub? Like supporting the tub with wood & removing the clawfeet, one side at a time, or SOMETHING?

Any advice, including advice telling me to sub it out to a plumber, is greatly appreciated.

tzzzz216

Why would they be surprised ? I'm sure you figured it into your price to lay the floor for removal and to reinstall the tub , Call around and ask the plumbing shops they may work with you , I would hope the customer would understand, no shower or bath for a day or so .

Dustball

Does the basement have an easily accessable floor drain and laundry tub with spigots? You could set up a temporary shower in the basement while you're doing the work.

woodmagman

If your home owner is not listening to your advise then what the heck are you doing job for??????????????? As a professional you should not be doing work that your beleive incorrect, to do it makes you unprofessional................

Ishmael

Why wouldn't they just stay with friends, relatives or at a hotel for a couple of days?!?!?! If they want to do some half-assed handy homeowner hack-job they should've done it themselves. If they want to hire professionals, their job is to write checks and get the hell out of the way.

ruger9

I agree, I agree.

I'm not at a point in my business (yet) where I can pick & choose my jobs, while I don't take (or get) everything that comes my way, I'm trying hard to "make it work", and "make the customer happy", referrals & all that... not to mention pride in a job done correctly.

I think my best bet is to quote her a price including the plumber sub, and tell her to have the job done when she's out of town for a few days. The funny thing about all this is, she told me she had another quote (I think from a big box store) and when they saw the clawfoot tub they wouldn't even give her an estimate. Crazy. I don't want to be thought of as a "can't get the job done" guy.

And as far as doing "unprofessional work", i.e. when the customer won't listen to good advice, I have the peace of mind of knowing I WARNED THEM, and then when it happens, don't come crying to me unless it's to tell me "you were right." If she wants pergo in a bathroom, I'll tell her why NOT to do it, but if she's willing to write the check, I'm willing to do the work. But now that the subject has come up, I can totally see a backfire: even tho I did warn her, it'll be all my fault when it goes bad, won't it?

I have alot of experience with the line of work I'm in, but not alot of experience as the OWNER. So my "people skills" are what I'm learning now...

Ishmael

I hear you. I had a hard time asserting myself in the beginning, too. Don't let them push you around...especially if it makes for a sub-standard job. It doesn't matter what you tell them now...when everything you said comes true later, it'll be all your fault (probably in the judge's mind, too); AND the homeowner will be bad-mouthing you to everyone she knows. Pergo in a bathroom is a bad idea; Pergo in a bathroom with a clawfoot tub is way beyond just a bad idea. The laminate will be all bubbly and blistered in no time from all the water people splash around that tub.

woodmagman

[quote=ruger9;219716]I agree, I agree.

I'm not at a point in my business (yet) where I can pick & choose my jobs, while I don't take (or get) everything that comes my way, I'm trying hard to "make it work", and "make the customer happy", referrals & all that... not to mention pride in a job done correctly.

quote]
If you are refered to another customer by someone who is not listening to your qualified advise, you don't want them as customers either. It is like advertising for small jobs and complaining all you get is small crappy jobs. You are what you do....and your business growth is reflected by the customers you take on....It is not about not taking the job, it is about selling and doing the job correctly.
Taking a sucks to be them attitude, I sleep better at night because I told them attitude just shows you need to be more profesional.. it is surprising how simple it is to do it right the first time..
There is a learning curve when doing something correctly...if it was that easy everyone would be good at it. Keep working at it..

mikesewell

Yes.

Absolutely.

__________________
Commercial construction

Sewell Construction

ruger9

Thanks everybody. I'll try to talk some sense into her, but I have a feeling that cost will always be the bottom line with this one.

ruger9

Ha! You know what she decided?

Stick-down linoleum tile, on top of the sheet linoleum that is there, and TRIMMED AROUND THE TUB'S FEET.

Funny how someone in a 100-year-old house first comes off like she loves the "character" of the house & wants to preserve it, then goes with the cheapest fix she can find...

Oh well, she was a learning experience!

boman47k

Trim around feet? Seems to me there will still be a strong possibility of water getting under the tile. Can't raise tub at least enough to put whatever under the feet then check connections for leaks? I recently jacked the front of my tub (not clawfoot) about 1"

ruger9

First of all, I'm not doing the floor/linoleum tile/cut around feet job. I told her that was a DIY job and if she REALLY wanted the lowest price, she should do it herself and save the ENTIRE labor charge. (I said it in the nicest possible way, trying to be professional).

But at this point, I'm done. This lady wants the best possible customer service, and the highest quality materials, done RIGHT NOW, for the lowest possible price. I've spent more time "counseling" this woman than working for her. I hate to say it, because I could certainly use referrals from her, but it seems to me this woman is a pain in the @ss. If she wants a local handyman at her beck & call for de-squeeking door hinges at a moment's notice, I'm not it. I live 45 minutes away from her. I only accepted the referral in the first place because she told me she wanted a hardwood floor installed in her kitchen. I'll drive 45 minutes for that. I won't drive 45 minutes for stick-down tile that WILL get water underneath, WILL peel up, and then WILL be my fault.

Am I out of line here? I just want to make honest money for honest work. I have no problem going above & beyond for a customer, but I expect to be paid for it. And a ratio of 1:1 of hours spent working for this customer & hours spent calling, emailing, and researching for this customer does not add up to profit.

I feel like having a motto or a sales tag: "quality, speed, affordability. Pick TWO."

I realize I'm new at running my own company & getting my own work, and I'm trying to be fair, but I have to make a living. Am I out of line here?

[my apologies for this thread in plumbing going off-topic]

boman47k

Ruger, it sounds like you found your solution and a good one!