[toolfool]

At the moment, I'm sitting around without work, and nothing lined up in the near future. I received a phone call from another finish contractor (Bob) who I never heard of asking if I'd be interested in working on a job with him. I meet him at the jobsite, a 5000 sf custom home that has just been drywalled. He tells me he already bid the millwork at $***x , but the GC wants a bid for installing the huge cabinet package as well. Apparently, Bob is afraid of frameless cabinets, and the size of the house is more than he's used to doing alone (??). I gave him a guesstimate for the cabinets and told him I thought his millwork bid was about $2000 short if we were to split the whole thing. He called me later to tell me the GC was only willing to pay half of what I guesstimated for cabinets. I told Bob "no thanks". Now here's my question ... Is it wrong for me to contact the GC, throw in MY numbers and tell him I can do the whole thing ? I didn't know this house existed until Bob brought me in. And it is definitely over Bob's head, he hadn't even considered basing the round drywall corners or door hardware.

 

[Deckhead]

At the moment, I'm sitting around without work, and nothing lined up in the near future. I received a phone call from another finish contractor (Bob) who I never heard of asking if I'd be interested in working on a job with him. I meet him at the jobsite, a 5000 sf custom home that has just been drywalled. He tells me he already bid the millwork at $***x , but the GC wants a bid for installing the huge cabinet package as well. Apparently, Bob is afraid of frameless cabinets, and the size of the house is more than he's used to doing alone (??). I gave him a guesstimate for the cabinets and told him I thought his millwork bid was about $2000 short if we were to split the whole thing. He called me later to tell me the GC was only willing to pay half of what I guesstimated for cabinets. I told Bob "no thanks". Now here's my question ... Is it wrong for me to contact the GC, throw in MY numbers and tell him I can do the whole thing ? I didn't know this house existed until Bob brought me in. And it is definitely over Bob's head, he hadn't even considered basing the round drywall corners or door hardware.

Yes it's unethical. Second, why do you think he would accept your numbers if you told Bob a number and the contractor said he would only pay half? Were you telling Bob a high number so you could undercut him.

Why would you even have to ask if its unethical?

 

[toolfool]

Yes it's unethical. Second, why do you think he would accept your numbers if you told Bob a number and the contractor said he would only pay half? Were you telling Bob a high number so you could undercut him.

Why would you even have to ask if its unethical?

I ask because I don't think Bob can do the job. I think he's desperate for work and attempting something way over his head. I think the GC knows that, and is trying to lowball him, only willing to pay cheap for what he perceives to be cheap help. I'm not going to undercut Bob's price, I'm going to offer more experience at my price.

 

[Tinstaafl]

You didn't find the GC, Bob did. Without Bob, you wouldn't even know the job existed. His skill level is irrelevant; you'd be attempting to steal his client.

 

[MarkJames]

Nice of you to help Bob this way. It saves him from getting taken advantage of. :blink:

 

[FlyFishRI]

Sounds like Bob is doing something right and you aren't. Trying to cut his throat is wrong. Plain and simple.

 

[Eaglei]

so you say Bob's desperate .:whistling

 

[ScipioAfricanus]

I don't see it that toolfool is trying to cut the guys throat at all.
He sees one guy floundering and wants to step in and help but is not willing to take it in the shorts for the guy. Perfectly understandable.
I think your best option is to talk to "Bob" and see if he is interested in working for you on the job. You negotiate with the GC and pay "Bob" a bit more for the lead.
Let "Bob" know your ideas, it may not pan out but this would be the best way I think.

Transparency is the key here.

Andy.

 

[FlyFishRI]

He wants to offer to do the whole thing for the GC. It isn't like he is asking about putting in his own bid just for the work that Bob was going to give him. He wants to take the food off of Bobs plate too.

 

[dom-mas]

Talk to Bob, not us. If Bob is cool with it the you have your answer

 

[Metro M & L]

Nice of you to help Bob this way. It saves him from getting taken advantage of. :blink:

Lol. Reminds of one of my favorite caddy shack quotes. Judge,"I didnt want to kill him, but it was for his own good."

 

[tgeb]

Could be that the GC only wants to pay 1/2....