Can I charge builder for damages to my tools?

I don't think you can charge him, or should. I'd just tell him what happened and if he's a good guy, he'll make it right. IF he doesn't well then that answered that question.

I've worked for people that would make things right and people that wouldn't. I never stay working for the latter very long. Funny, neither do a lot of other people either.....at least good ones.

if it still serviceable whats the big deal..just speak up and prevent it.

its a tool box..i understand you would like it to be perfect forever but its still a tool box and tool bag.

a power tool hoever woud be different.

I remember a job one of my installers set up with a chop saw on site that wasn't his..no biggie..guy said he can use it.

but was using glue in some of the install and got glue all over it and didn't clean it.

GC on job gives me **** the next day and the carpenter whose saw it was.

I was like whoa dude..take a chill..you said he can use it..i didn't tell him to use it and the saw is still good.he lightens up and says he will try to clean it.

I simply said, you want a knew one?

next day guy is like I want a new saw.

ok no problem.
next day I bring brand new dewalt 12" in box,,

here's your saw bro..

now where's mine? snatched that thing up..cleaned the glue off if the guy thought he now had 2 chop saws he was mistaken.

drspec said:

sounds to me like someone did it out of spite

haven't you had issues with this crew before?

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I doubt it----If you ever work on a site with a lot of other trades you will realize that this sort of thing can happen.

We had our gang boxes damaged by a drywall crew that used them as a cutting table----some strong words were exchanged -:whistling

We usually place something big and heavy on top of the boxes to make them less likely to be used as a work bench-------

mikeswoods said:

I doubt it----If you ever work on a site with a lot of other trades you will realize that this sort of thing can happen.

We had our gang boxes damaged by a drywall crew that used them as a cutting table----some strong words were exchanged -:whistling

We usually place something big and heavy on top of the boxes to make them less likely to be used as a work bench-------

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I had mine wheeled around and used as scaffolding for a taper, it had about an inch of mud all over the fvckin top.

mikeswoods said:

I doubt it----If you ever work on a site with a lot of other trades you will realize that this sort of thing can happen.

We had our gang boxes damaged by a drywall crew that used them as a cutting table----some strong words were exchanged -:whistling

We usually place something big and heavy on top of the boxes to make them less likely to be used as a work bench-------

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yeah Ive never worked on a construction site or around other crews.

mudpad said:

Make a mental note. He will want you to price up some change in the work at some point. Slip you damages in there.

If not, just chalk it up to experience.

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I think this is the best way to make yourself whole again--:thumbsup:

drspec said:

sounds to me like someone did it out of spite

haven't you had issues with this crew before?

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Yeah man I've had issues with the builders small crew before. I've had issues with the super too. Now even having issues with the builder too. They are a bunch of morons. Business operation is worse then a newbie small business owner of any kind making newbie mistakes.

SectorSecurity said:

This is exactly why I stopped leaving tools and supplies on the job site a long time ago, got tired of things growing legs in the night, and the oh hey going to borrow a screwdriver which was never to be seen again got old quick.

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Everything always comes home with me at the end of every night, just a matter of during the day

jlsconstruction said:

I'd tell you to get your own damn office

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Might be the best option if they allow me to have one cause they are so anal about having one empty unit (not sold) occupied.

I've debated on whether to say what I'm going to say and mean it only to try to help... You should probably find a new profession. I'm not saying you don't put out good work or that you don't love the work itself. I'm sure you do or you wouldn't be part of this forum.

It takes a certain lot to do this business and especially own a business in the trades, and it seems your character is probably better suited for other types of work based on all the other questions you've asked.

For instance most of the guys I know in construction have this happen and here is how they would react "Hey you stupid mother fvcker, you know how much that cost you?" Other guy and/or contractor will say something similar back, cooler heads prevail and tomorrows a new day but everyone is on the same page that your stuff isn't to be messed with and if it is, they walk, some might even choose going to jail for a little vengeance.

Take it or leave it but you might be a lot happier if you make carpentry a hobby. If you have to ask if you can charge for something its already been mishandled to the point that the answer is no unless you want to cause further damage.

Deckhead said:

I've debated on whether to say what I'm going to say and mean it only to try to help... You should probably find a new profession. I'm not saying you don't put out good work or that you don't love the work itself. I'm sure you do or you wouldn't be part of this forum. It takes a certain lot to do this business and especially own a business in the trades, and it seems your character is probably better suited for other types of work based on all the other questions you've asked. For instance most of the guys I know in construction have this happen and here is how they would react "Hey you stupid mother fvcker, you know how much that cost you?" Other guy and/or contractor will say something similar back, cooler heads prevail and tomorrows a new day but everyone is on the same page that your stuff isn't to be messed with and if it is, they walk, some might even choose going to jail for a little vengeance. Take it or leave it but you might be a lot happier if you make carpentry a hobby. If you have to ask if you can charge for something its already been mishandled to the point that the answer is no unless you want to cause further damage.

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Are you saying grow some testis?

Californiadecks said:

Are you saying grow some testis?

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No not at all. I'm trying to say if that type of attitude isn't in his makeup he should be honest to himself.

Got a buddy that is just genuinely nice and worked for me, I told him roughly the same thing I just said... Now he's making way more money than me in financing has a bunch of days off, golfs regularly, and is much happier. I wish I could do what he does but it wouldn't be "me" just like being a GC wasn't "me".

One can change an environment to fit their personality but not their personality to fit the environment.