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Homeowner contacted me two weeks ago as a referral from my tile supplier. She specifically asked for someone that knows how to install a Schluter shower system for a small cabin bathroom in Big Bear, CA. She explained that she has already done most of the work and finished tiling the floor, just needs me to do the shower. She did not ditra or waterproof the floor (second floor bathroom).
I explained during our first conversation that I am booked through November so if that works in her time frame then we can discuss further. Response,"That's ok, you can work on Sundays." :blink: She promised at that time to send me additional information by email since it is 1.5 hr drive up the mountain and I did not want to waste my time/gas money.
One week later she calls and says I never followed up. Since I did not have any info there was nothing to followup with. She said she would be at the cabin last weekend. I mentioned that I may be near there for a race on Sunday and she stated great then you should come by and give me the estimate. I did not go. I then sent an email (not received), two texts and a voicemail. Her vm greeting states that she will only return calls in the afternoon. Two days later, I receive these pictures asking that I provide an estimate.
My concerns:
1) HO is going to be a huge PITA.
2) I don't know what has been done behind these walls but from the surface it does not look good. New construction according to HO. Why the galvanized piping?
3) Appears to have moisture barrier behind fiberboard. Therefore I can not do kerdi over this. She has already bought the Schluter shower system. Why isn't the drain prepped for that install?
4) Big concern is she first wanted me to prep for tile and that is all. Since she tiled the floor she can do the shower. Well, if it leaks because she damages the kerdi after I leave then who is liable? After I mentioned this to her she said I could do the whole thing start to finish. Hmmm, I think we are past the start point already.
5) Permits?
Bottomline, I just needed to talk myself out of bidding this job. I don't need the work. Maybe I was initially excited because someone contacted me for a specific installation procedure. I'm sure my tile supplier has many more installers with greater volume and experience but chose to refer this to me (or maybe :jester
Her pics aren't great, even though she felt they would be sufficient to provide an estimate. Based on this information would you all agree to run from this project? What other issues do you foresee based on the pics and HO behavior?
I explained during our first conversation that I am booked through November so if that works in her time frame then we can discuss further. Response,"That's ok, you can work on Sundays." :blink: She promised at that time to send me additional information by email since it is 1.5 hr drive up the mountain and I did not want to waste my time/gas money.
One week later she calls and says I never followed up. Since I did not have any info there was nothing to followup with. She said she would be at the cabin last weekend. I mentioned that I may be near there for a race on Sunday and she stated great then you should come by and give me the estimate. I did not go. I then sent an email (not received), two texts and a voicemail. Her vm greeting states that she will only return calls in the afternoon. Two days later, I receive these pictures asking that I provide an estimate.
My concerns:
1) HO is going to be a huge PITA.
2) I don't know what has been done behind these walls but from the surface it does not look good. New construction according to HO. Why the galvanized piping?
3) Appears to have moisture barrier behind fiberboard. Therefore I can not do kerdi over this. She has already bought the Schluter shower system. Why isn't the drain prepped for that install?
4) Big concern is she first wanted me to prep for tile and that is all. Since she tiled the floor she can do the shower. Well, if it leaks because she damages the kerdi after I leave then who is liable? After I mentioned this to her she said I could do the whole thing start to finish. Hmmm, I think we are past the start point already.
5) Permits?
Bottomline, I just needed to talk myself out of bidding this job. I don't need the work. Maybe I was initially excited because someone contacted me for a specific installation procedure. I'm sure my tile supplier has many more installers with greater volume and experience but chose to refer this to me (or maybe :jester
Her pics aren't great, even though she felt they would be sufficient to provide an estimate. Based on this information would you all agree to run from this project? What other issues do you foresee based on the pics and HO behavior?
