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Are you kidding me?

| Posted in General Discussion on June 20, 2006 02:55am

Today was a wonderful day,  had one guy call in, one showed up an hour late and the third showed up at noon to quit.  Sweet

Then the building inspector shows up in the sub-division of houses i’m framing to inspect the first two i had already finished.

I get a call from the GC and he said the houses failed inspections,  so I walk my happy azz down there to find out what the problem is.  He left a note saying pointloads need to be tracked down. 

Well I already did this before I finished the job and can’t find out what he’s talking about,  so I call him and he says theres too many to tell me over the phone and he’ll stop over to show me.

This piece of work starts pointing out where LVL’s cross walls and wants blocking underneath,  well per print I put in squash blocking and solid LVL blocking and that wasn’t good enough he wants 2×12’s in there as well. 

I show him the engineered floorplan and he says put more blocking in,  SWEET.  He says that the engineered rim joists can’t carry any load over 1 story tall.  Okay now I know I’m dealing with a pro.  I spent 3 hours today “fixing”  what this jerk said was wrong.   I build these houses the same as any other and they would have passed on the other side of town no problem.

I bit my tongue because I have 15 of these to frame in this clowns township and didn’t want to make this any harder than need be.  I hate this building inspector and he’s the only one for this township. 

I’m done crying now, that stupid bear showed up again and bit me something awful today.  Oh well tommorrow can’t be any worse.  Maybe Blue needs a job I’ve got one for him!

I only golf on days that end with a “Y”.

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Replies

  1. brownbagg | Jun 20, 2006 02:58am | #1

    jusy remember as you look him in the eye. This is a guy that cannot get a job at wally world. either county government or Micky D's

    1. Stilletto | Jun 20, 2006 03:08am | #4

      I think if he worked a Mickey D's he'd be the guy putting anti scald devices in the coffee pots.  And dulling all the sporks. I only golf on days that end with a "Y".

  2. User avater
    dieselpig | Jun 20, 2006 03:00am | #2

    You and me..... we should frame together.  Screw the 'kids'..... just a couple guys who want to work.  Oh... and I'll bring the forklift.

    :)

    Tomorrow's another day brother,  keep on keepin' on.

    View Image
    1. Stilletto | Jun 20, 2006 03:04am | #3

      That is what I was thinkin to,  I bend over backwards for my guys.  Just can't make them happy.  I work 10 times harder than they do and they still cry about wanting more money.

      Any day your ready you bring the lift and I'm there.  Don't tempt me I might show up on your job with the bags on at 6:00 am.   :)

       

       

      I only golf on days that end with a "Y".

      Edited 6/19/2006 8:10 pm ET by Stilletto

      1. Piffin | Jun 20, 2006 04:56am | #8

        " might show up on your job with the bags on at 6:00 am. :)"I hit the job at 5:30AM a couple times last week to beat the heat.Second day, a neighbor lady from a quarter mile down the road came stumbling into the site to inform me that a chop saw is very loud coming into her window so early and couldn't I please hold off 'till 7AMSound does carry pretty well in a foggy morning.I told her I had no idea, and that I would work on layouts and such 'till seven. She was lucky I was in a good mood 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. dockelly | Jun 20, 2006 05:57am | #9

          Your story is similar to one I heard today. A patient of mine bought a
          JCP&L building in a sealed bid deal. They are our electric company around here. When he walked the site, 3 acres, he discovered a homeless man living in a tent on the property. Figured he'd let him be. Now, months later, he's clearing some of the land which required taking down large Oak trees, and the guy comes out of the woods, complaining they were making to much noise. It is Monday, chalk it up to that.
          Kevin

          1. User avater
            bobl | Jun 20, 2006 02:56pm | #17

            "he discovered a homeless man living in a tent on the property. "wonder if he can claim adverse possession? 

            bobl          Volo, non valeo

            Baloney detecter

          2. arrowpov | Jun 20, 2006 05:21pm | #19

            If he was my neighbor he would.

          3. phabib | Jun 20, 2006 07:35pm | #21

            I replaced a wall furnace once and had the inspector come with a trainee.  He looked at the flue for clearance, the cap, made sure I had all of the nails in the brackets that hold the flue, and checked everything he could think of while his trainee followed behing him.  After 15 minutes of going around the 3 square feet that are around the wall furnace he finally decided that the flexible gas line feeding the wall furnace should not touch any part of the furnace because microvibrations from the flame would lead to metal fatigue and cause the gas line to break and house to catch on fire.  He would not let me move the flex while he was there.  He insisted on writing it up and making me schedule a second visit.  When he came back a couple of days later, I don't think he even looked at this major risk to safety.  He just signed off and left.

            Edited 6/20/2006 1:35 pm ET by phabib

          4. brownbagg | Jun 21, 2006 03:07am | #24

            its all about money

          5. User avater
            CapnMac | Jun 20, 2006 06:51pm | #20

            if he can claim adverse possession?

            Probably required to be, i nsome jurisdictions.  Might be due damages for waking him up, too.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

        2. User avater
          xxPaulCPxx | Jun 20, 2006 09:42am | #12

          I told her I had no idea, and that I would work on layouts and such 'till seven.

          She was lucky I was in a good mood.

          You're lucky she wasn't my wife.  Operating a 12" tool before 8AM will likely get you a new 12" new orifice... and it doesn't matter how crabby you were before she showed up!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

          Also a CRX fanatic!

          1. Piffin | Jun 21, 2006 01:40am | #22

            A lot of the clients I have around here - when they say,
            "Come on by first thingt in the morning," they mean 10:30 or so 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          2. jeffwoodwork | Jun 21, 2006 01:43am | #23

            You're lucky she wasn't my wife.  Operating a 12" tool before 8AM will likely get you a new 12" new orifice... and it doesn't matter how crabby you were before she showed up!

            I tried operating my 12" tool on my wife before 8am the other morning, she wouldn't have any of that!)

            Inspectors you gotta love to hate them.  We use to try and leave some little thing missing like some fireblocking.  That way gives them something to write you up on and not get to crabby.  Every once in a while would get a 100% and a "good job guys".  Like everything else you have some nice guys that know what's going on and some real a$$holes that have a power trip going on.  But like you say if you have 12 more houses to do you don't want to tick off the only inspector.

             

            Jeff

          3. Stilletto | Jun 21, 2006 03:07am | #25

            Well heres a small update on this guys major malfunction,  or at least one of them.  He is the plumbing and mechanical inspector as well as the framing inspector.  He stopped in today for those inspections and they all failed as well.

            He is ruffling alot of feathers around here and not making anybodies life easy. 

            I began questioning myself when he failed two houses over dumb stuff that I had never heard of before.  Now I know who should be the one questioned.I only golf on days that end with a "Y".

          4. BUIC | Jun 21, 2006 04:15am | #29

            I gotta admire that subtle bit of mis-direction, leaving out something simple for them to find.   

              I'll be saving/borrowing that one...thanks...Buic

            Edited 6/20/2006 9:20 pm ET by BUIC

        3. Stilletto | Jun 20, 2006 01:25pm | #13

          Thats when I've been starting each morning 6:00 am to beat the heat as well.  A new house frame soaks up so much heat my guys start to make alot of mistakes around 3:00 so I try to be done by then. 

          Today I'm running behind not to thrilled to go.I only golf on days that end with a "Y".

          1. brownbagg | Jun 20, 2006 02:51pm | #16

            The heat, we started pouring concrete this morning at 2:30 am had 325 yards on the ground by 6 am. Im going home at noon. Its a typical day. we usually have about six a week like this.

        4. HammerHarry | Jun 21, 2006 03:13pm | #33

          You started at 530 to beat the heat???  Last week???  What did you do, move?

          Last week, one neighbor mowed his lawn at 6am, because it was the first day in 14 without rain.....he's some freakin lucky he didn't wake up my other half with it. 

          1. User avater
            bobl | Jun 21, 2006 03:59pm | #34

            "You started at 530 to beat the heat??? Last week??? What did you do, move?"
            it hit 70F that day. 

            bobl          Volo, non valeo

            Baloney detecter

  3. FlaCarpenter | Jun 20, 2006 03:12am | #5

    Cut the brake lines on his vehicle. I build to what is speced and stamped by an engineer. If the inspector doesn't like it then he can talk to the engineer or the architect. If they agree on changes, than someone gets charged for it.

    1. Stilletto | Jun 20, 2006 03:18am | #6

      I build that way too,  but this guy really got me going today with this crap.  I just let it go due to the other 12 houses in this subdivision.  I hope he'll lighten up soon,  patience is not one of my strong suits.I only golf on days that end with a "Y".

      1. FlaCarpenter | Jun 20, 2006 03:34am | #7

        I have a saying for building inspectors..."Tell me what you are doing so I can tell you how to do it." I've been stuck on truss engineering because the inspector didn't think it was adequate. I give him the truss engineering book and point out the uplifts and the bracing and he squrims. "Well, I'd like to see another lateral brace from here to there..." and I tell him to contact the truss company and get a change.Now I could be a real prick and tell him to drag a 14' 2x4 into a 140 degree attic and nail it up him damn self but I like my job. ;-)

  4. User avater
    txlandlord | Jun 20, 2006 06:53am | #10

    You need my inspector watch dog. (see pic)

    1. Stilletto | Jun 20, 2006 01:29pm | #14

      This dude was a piece of work,  I had studs and blocking in and he had asked me to put studs in sideways because the wire was ran.  I had a small girder truss landing on a 3 stud solid corner and he wanted two more studs thrown in.

      Oh well I don't have to like it,  I have to do it.  :)I only golf on days that end with a "Y".

      1. User avater
        txlandlord | Jun 20, 2006 04:55pm | #18

        I think some of those guys need to say or find something to help offset their lack of self esteem. They need to feel important. I ran into them in my framing days. I try to be friendly and ask them questions about their family and fishing, etc. They hold the keys to heaven and hell so to speak. I could tell you stories.   

      2. toolpouchguy | Jun 24, 2006 03:12am | #62

        wow sound's like a moron

        1. Stilletto | Jun 24, 2006 05:43am | #63

          He is a piece of work but I am stuck with him on this subdivision.  He is the only building inspector in the area and I have 12-1/2 more houses to frame in this subdivision.

          I think the problem I am having with this is that this house was built no different than the last 50 I built and it would have passed inspection 5 minutes from there.

          I am all for doing a better job so if this is what I have to do then I will.  Can't you hear the violin playing your song.

  5. andybuildz | Jun 20, 2006 08:17am | #11

    Gee...things must be looking up for me.
    My building inspector came to inspect for my final last week...ugh...but guess what?
    I passed yeaaaaa!! He was so nice in fact that
    I invited him to TipiFest and I think he's coming.
    Real nice guy.

    If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!

    TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]

    1. User avater
      RichBeckman | Jun 21, 2006 04:35am | #30

      "My building inspector...I invited him to TipiFest and I think he's coming."A sacrifice!!Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.

    2. User avater
      Gunner | Jun 21, 2006 05:08am | #31

         Good! Now we'll have a pinata!........................  Just kidding.

       

       

       

       

      No I'm not. :)

       

       

      Rock the Tipi!

      Edited 6/20/2006 10:14 pm ET by Gunner

      1. andybuildz | Jun 21, 2006 05:41am | #32

        Was funny.....so the inspector and I are walking around the back of my property and he sees a trail I blazed into the woods to a clearing I also opened up that next year will be my veggie garden...this year camp sites for whom ever...he asks me whats back there. I tell him thats where I grow my marijuana...he says, "cool, lemmie know when you harvest it". LOLIf Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!

        TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]

      2. User avater
        CapnMac | Jun 21, 2006 06:38pm | #35

        Good! Now we'll have a pinata!........................  Just kidding

        Dunno, he might join forces with Mooney, and all of tipifest will wind up redtagged . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

        1. Danno | Jun 21, 2006 08:04pm | #36

          Building inspector stories remind me of when my friend was a trainee for the Liquor Control Commission. His trainer took him to a bar and they each had a nice steak dinner and drank until closing. My friend got out his wallet to pay the tab and his trainer says, "Put that away. We don't pay here."

          Isn't it nice how some businesses are just so generous. They always seem to be the ones that follow all the rules and never have any violations and therefore never have to be written up too! Just warms my heart to see such cooperation between government and business. My friend, BTW, tried to report this and other stuff to his supervisor's boss and was soon "let go" for not being a team player.

          1. User avater
            Luka | Jun 22, 2006 12:17am | #37

            Fresh out of the army, I took a job as a security guard at a copper wire mfg plant.One day I noticed that the trucks coming in with copper weighed with both axles on the scales. But only the rear axle on the scales, on the way out.I called my supervisor. He came over and watched. Then told me to ignore it. I was "let go" less than a week later.I'm figuring, for the same reason. I ratted out the 'team'.
            Only slightly faster than the speed of stupid, since 1957.

          2. Danno | Jun 22, 2006 04:07am | #39

            Yeah. I worked for a jeweler who was kind of a thief and one of the workers told me about the boss's scheme to overvalue a stone on an appraisal, then the owner would give it to him, report it stolen and he would sell and share money and she would claim insurance and share money. I told them I wish they hadn't told me, because if this scheme were ever carried out, I would report it to the police. I was terminated a short time later, but not before the boss came in and sort of announced to the whole group that someone had approached him to do that thing, but (as Nixon once said) "That would be illegal" and so he wasn't going to do it. I was better off to be not working for him. One of my better moves! He did get me to build a planter box around the store while I worked for him though. He got a bargain at $7/hr. and I did it in one day.

        2. BryanSayer | Jun 22, 2006 01:04am | #38

          Let's see, if it is all play and no work, does a "Stop Work" order prevent any activity?

        3. Mooney | Jun 22, 2006 07:14am | #40

          "Dunno, he might join forces with Mooney, and all of tipifest will wind up redtagged . . "

          LOL. Wudnt that be sumtin.

          Tim .

          1. User avater
            CapnMac | Jun 22, 2006 04:39pm | #41

            LOL. Wudnt that be sumtin

            Yep.  From the responces, half the festers would pack up their "tools" and "obey" the redtag.  And the other half (might) just keep on rollin' darin' your to invoke the "habitual" sections of "The Code" . . .

            Or not, it would be a Fest, after all <g>.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

          2. DougU | Jun 22, 2006 09:20pm | #42

            Whatever the outcome, I'd think you'd see a larger turnout next year!

            Doug

          3. DonK | Jun 22, 2006 10:26pm | #43

            I'm thinking there would be two people floating in a "cement pond" pretty quick - and it wouldn't be Andy and Katrina.

            Don K.

            EJG Homes     Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

          4. JohnSprung | Jun 23, 2006 10:23pm | #49

            > "Dunno, he might join forces with Mooney, and all of tipifest will wind up redtagged . . "

            That reminds me of a party story from the '60's.  Not only did the cops come out and bust some guys that night, the BI came out the next day and red tagged the joint.  Seems that the game of kicking out drywall got boring, and they went on to kicking out studs.....  ;-)   

             

            -- J.S.

             

  6. User avater
    BossHog | Jun 20, 2006 02:23pm | #15

    "He says that the engineered rim joists can't carry any load over 1 story tall."

    The GP rim board we sell is rated at 4,850 PLF. I've never seen rim board that was rated at less than 2,000 PLF.

    So the guy was definitely full if crap on that one.

    The first job of leadership is obtaining power. The second job is delegating it to subordinates. [JBR Yant]
  7. ChrisG1 | Jun 21, 2006 03:16am | #26

    I wish you lived near me. My resume would be in your mailbox asap.

    1. Stilletto | Jun 21, 2006 03:23am | #27

      No need for a resume I can usually tell if a guy is going to work out after I meet him. 

      A good handshake and looking me in the face when he talks to me is a good sign.

      Showing up to the interview early is also a plus.I only golf on days that end with a "Y".

      1. Ken | Jun 21, 2006 03:52am | #28

        Hey, I can pass those tests. Now, which end of the hammer do you drive the screw with?++++++++++++++++++

        The average pilot, despite the somewhat swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy, and caring.These feelings just don't involve anyone else.

  8. User avater
    dieselpig | Jun 23, 2006 05:08am | #44

    The Bear: 1

    Diesel: 0

    But tomorrow's another day.  Yesterday we tore the roof (framing and all) off a 26x55' gazillion year old house to add a second floor.  It used to be a Blacksmith shop. 

    (Note to self:  Don't take anymore jobs reworking homes built in the colonial era)

    Getting the deck on is going to be a watchmaker's job.... the walls look like a scary rollercoaster and the front of the house is two inches wider than the back.  It's off in length as well, but I can booger that into the front porch.

    Roof's off.  I'm totally exposed.  There's one existing bedroom that they want to keep.... and apparently the lady of the house figured that'd be a great spot to store everything she owns thats made of glass, ceramic, china, expensive, or water soluable.  Meanwhile the GC figured that getting 30K worth of kitchen cabinets onsite.....now....would be a good idea too.  He stored them right next to all of the new windows that he had to take out of the protective boxes.

    So my pants are down around my knees.  Spot thunderstorms predicted for the next few days.  The lot is tiny.  I've got to take a picture of this... the house is 8" from the lot line of a very tempermental neighbor.  Cops, lawyers, and surveyors seem to be around this job like subcontractors.

    So we are muddling along at an excruciatingly slow pace.... finding the high spot, leveling the new 14" rim joist, shimming as much as 2" in some places at every joist location.  We get the rim on, start joisting.... agonizingly slow pace.  I'm bleeding money out my ears at this point but I'm grinning and bearing it.  I have a dentist appointment made for 5:30 that I call and cancel cuz I've got to at least get this thing to a stage that I can effectively tarp as it's supposed to rain tonight.  I'm even looking past the fact that apparently my two best guys decided today would be a fantastic day to show up for work with their heads stuffed entirely up their own azzes.  Hey... we all have bad days, right?

    At about 3:30 the GC shows up.  He's in a panic.  Says severe thunderstorms on the way.  Tarp it, tarp it, tarp it.  My pants are totally around my ankles at this point from a tarping stand point.  So we un-do some of our work.  Spend an hour building crap just to effectively keep a tarp in a position to shed water.  And wrap up.

    As I'm driving home, I can't figure out which is bothering the most.... the fact that I'm going to get charged for a dentist's appt I had to break... but could have made.  Or the fact that the sun was out the whole ride home.  It was a dead heat.... they both pissed me off. 

    And it still hasn't rained yet.  But I know.... with complete certainty..... that if I hadn't stopped working and tarped the job upon the GC's request...... I'd own 30K worth of soggy cabinets right now.

    That job offer still open?

    View Image
    1. MikeSmith | Jun 23, 2006 05:26am | #45

      brian.... suppose the "severe thunderstorms" did in fact occur ?

      my bet is the wind would make hash out of the tarps and the first floor contents would be soaked..

       i've done about 4 of these "add a second floor to an existing house" jobs... after about three i decided... no more trying to preserve the first floor.. let somebody else take that gamble.. there is no way i can guarantee we'll be succesful and the cost of trying is very high.

      bottom line... a new second floor means a remodeled first floor.. or we don't take the job.. if we save the hardwood floors... we got lucky.. if not... notMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

      1. Piffin | Jun 23, 2006 12:47pm | #46

        same here. Good luck Brian 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      2. User avater
        dieselpig | Jun 24, 2006 12:15am | #50

        I'm a slow learner Mike.  Including my own house, this is probably the tenth add-a-level that I've done and I believe they all had at least a few rooms below that were to be salvaged.  I've even pulled a few off that were owner-occupied during construction.  I've pulled all nighters keeping the the tarp on and the water out.

        But the money's good.  I seem to really do a good job with pricing them and have always made out really well on 'em.  There's a few days of bustin' your balls and sweating it out but in the end it's worth it.  I love the drama of it all.  Not just the weather, but the drastic change to the building.

        Today we busted azz big time.  We got it about 3/4 joisted before the first thunderstorm hit.  We had the 40x60 Big Blue Lifesaver at the ready and whipped that sucker over like pulling up the covers in bed.  It was a fantastic thunder and lighting filled 30 min downpour that I spent crouched on the top plates holding the corner of the tarp down until it passed.  At one point I looked down and saw my chalkline floating in my pouch.

        45 minutes later, the tarp was back off we finished the framing and humped the 3/4 up there.  We got about 1/2 of it decked when the second batch rolled through.  It was about 3:45 at this point so we just covered the rest of the deck with the 3/4 ply pulled the tarp over our nice flat surface and nailed her home for the weekend.  We're in good shape for the rain coming this weekend.  It started raining big time again just as I was giving the guys their checks.  Whew!

        I'm going to cut as much of the roof as I can before we stand the walls to limit the open time for the roof.  But the roof is cut to pieces w/ four dormers so I won't get all of it. 

        All I can do is my best.  That's all I've got so it's gonna have to be good enough.  I suppose I could have turned the job down because they weren't totally gutting the 1st floor, but to be entirely honest..... I wouldn't have a job right now.  It's easy to turn down work when you're flush.  Not so easy when it's the only thing on the table at the current time.View Image

    2. Stilletto | Jun 23, 2006 12:50pm | #47

      What a day man,  that stinkin bear needs to be shot. 

      I hope your GC is paying you good on this one.  Shimming and scribing every board on a second story just to get started on a platform is a painful slow process.   I get impatient when I am bleeding money and see the check for me at the end of the tunnel is going to be crap. 

      Call the GC tommorrow and tell him he can deliver the toilets and carpet anytime.  :)

      I can hardly imagine a colonial era home.  I worked on one around here built in 1831 what a nightmare.  It wasn't an add a level either.  It's giving me a headache thinkin about it.  Over spanned lumber and no headers anywhere.

      Everyone one has bad days is right thats the way I look at it.  When I became sober those days became less frequent.  Life got a little easier and work became fun. 

      As for the job offer its open more now than ever it's just me and one other guy now.  I got sick of the one showing up hung over every day and watching work happen.  CARPENTRY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT!  Can't you hear the violin playing your song.

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | Jun 24, 2006 12:17am | #51

        Everyone one has bad days is right thats the way I look at it.  When I became sober those days became less frequent.  Life got a little easier and work became fun

        Amen brother.  I kicked the bear in the balls for ya today.View Image

        1. Stilletto | Jun 24, 2006 12:35am | #54

          Way to go man.

          Diesel Pig-2

          Bear-1

          The hard part is mostly over now,  the platform is on and ready to go. 

          BTW I Met an old retired framer today and he is selling everything skytrak-$5000,  nail guns, saws, compressors.  If I can find $5000 sooon its all mine. Yeah baby!  The compressor is a gas powered Paslode used for one day $600.  The saws are PC sidewinders said he had like 7-8.  Nail guns are Paslode stick nailers.

          Its funny you mention rain the day after it rains here.  We got those good storms the other day and it rained yesterday nothing serious though. 

          I'm glad people share about crappy days as well,  hardly any of my jobs go anywhere close to perfect.  So it's good to hear I'm not such a screw up.

           Can't you hear the violin playing your song.

          1. User avater
            dieselpig | Jun 24, 2006 12:44am | #55

            Find the five grand dude.  Especially with that dozen or so houses you have lined up.  You won't regret it and you'll take great pleasure in telling your hung-over, clock watching, "I deserve a job" laborers to go sh1t in their fist.

            The machine is my best employee.  Never complains, never calls in sick, works in the rain and the snow, it's always on time, and it does whatever you tell it to. 

            Run the numbers man...... they're worth every penny and then some as long as you can keep it busy.  I guarantee it'll more than pay for itself at 5K over those 12 houses you've got.  View Image

          2. Stilletto | Jun 24, 2006 12:50am | #57

            Trying to find it believe you me.  I've never wanted to borrow money before, now I want to real bad.Can't you hear the violin playing your song.

          3. Mooney | Jun 24, 2006 01:17am | #59

            You and Mike pretty well summed it up.

            First I would like to say I love your attitude. God I wish I was young again , lol.  You have a heart of a warrior and I cant help but respect that .

            I did one top story add on and several whole roof replacements where the house was open to God. I can see you spit sideways and say a roof replacement aint shid. <G>

            I guess you are not on your dime if the house gets a bath beyond your control? [crossing fingers]

            When an old man has been down the road and is "flush' , hes very careful. You can ante up for a lot of hands and hit a big one that will take you home . If you dont have a sure ride home its gambling .

            Ive got a total roof tear off Im scared to do and its sitting and I own it . Not good , but I dont have the crew and expertise you have either at doing one . Mike and Piffin may have a good crew I dont know but could they take their crews to those limits and play lead man  doing it ? You run a crew of framers so I think not as their guys are probably used to finish. Im talkin out my butt here , but mebbe they know their limitations and you know yours. I know a big part is the age and experience of being able to wait on a good hand to draw. I think you are right on that .

            From a finish outlook , the quality of the house would matter to me and how much water ? Repairing some water damaged drywall ceilings is not going to break the bank. You can have carpet removed and re laid but you will loose the pad . Big deal if you are knocking down some really good money. Wood floors , not so good or if the walls took a bath with fiber insulation. Yuck.

            Sounds like to me you might have found a niche . Better you than me though. 10 huh? Wow . Thats impressive . You be like one of those prisoners that get the 100 dollar bill off the bulls horns. Roar. But  did I mention, they are doing life with out parole. <G>

            Tim

          4. User avater
            dieselpig | Jun 24, 2006 01:40am | #60

            Whatchoo need is a bunch of Yankees to come down and stick that sucker up for you Tim.  :)

            Git 'er done.

            I guess you are not on your dime if the house gets a bath beyond your control? [crossing fingers]

            Who you kidding?  When the insurance companies and lawyers get involved everyone with a truck parked out front is gonna take a bath.  But I CMA the best I can.  Today the weather forecast said that we would be getting spot thunderstorm/downpours.  I asked the GC first thing this morning, point blank, what's more important to you.... the schedule or the potential liability?  He said pull the tarp... so we pulled the tarp and had at it.  Everyone's gotta be on the same page because it's pretty much a lose/lose situation.

            If you leave the tarp on and go home and it turns out to be a sunny day... well... you're that lazy SOB contractor.  If you pull the tarp and try to keep the job on track and drench the house.... well you're that greedy SOB contractor who should've known better.

            So I tie the noose big enough for two.  :) 

            And tweak the "Force Majeure" clause in my contract to my favor should someone actually decide to read the fine print.

            If all else fails....send laywers, guns and money.  :)View Image

    3. JohnSprung | Jun 23, 2006 10:16pm | #48

      In that situation, I'd call the dentist again and ask if the time was still open.  Mine would let me re-make the appointment as originally scheduled and not charge a cancellation fee.  Can't hurt to ask....  

       

      -- J.S.

       

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | Jun 24, 2006 12:22am | #52

        I gotta admit...  It's nice to hear about the bad days once in awhile too.  If you believed everything you read here you might be led to believe that some guys only work on jobs where it never rains,  the budget and bid is always spot on, everyone and everything shows up exactly when it's supposed to, the drawings or plans read like an instruction manual, and the lumber just jumps out of the pile and up onto the house.

        My world just ain't like that.  So I really do appreciated when you guys share about the hard times too.  It's nice to know I'm not alone.  When it gets real bad I'll start to question myself and wonder what I'm doing wrong.... but the truth is... .sometimes it's just the nature of the beast.View Image

      2. User avater
        dieselpig | Jun 24, 2006 12:24am | #53

        You're probably right.  But at that point I'm afraid I had already thrown in the towel for the day.   I can't say I quit while I was ahead.... I just quit before I was any further behind!View Image

    4. Mooney | Jun 24, 2006 12:45am | #56

      "But tomorrow's another day.  Yesterday we tore the roof (framing and all) off a 26x55' gazillion year old house to add a second floor.  It used to be a Blacksmith shop."

      Im gonna make up a thread off that and somthing Ive been arguing with the wife over.

      Pull up a chair -business folder .

      Itll be a while . Im not done here yet , but when you see it . <G>

       

      Tim

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | Jun 24, 2006 12:50am | #58

        Invitation accepted.  I'm all ears Tim.  Sounds like it might help me make some money?!?!  I like it already.View Image

  9. toolpouchguy | Jun 24, 2006 03:06am | #61

    i have to do that as well put blocking in so now i just set the rim 1.5" in from the out side .and block with 2x4's and fill the spaces with 1.5"styro ripped crossways less waste

    1. Stilletto | Jun 24, 2006 05:47am | #64

      I switching to floor trusses soon so this I-joist problem will be going away. 

      I like the system we used to use floor and roof trusses designed and delivered by the same company.  Takes out alot of the guess work.  So thats the route I probably will be going from here on out.Can't you hear the violin playing your song.

  10. Stilletto | Jul 12, 2006 01:16am | #65

    Well heres a update that I would have never expected.  That piece of work building inspector shows up on my site today saying that he has some firends that want to build a couple of houses and he/they want me to frame them.

    I am really suprised by this,  this guy went through my houses and failed them for the worst reasons and now wants me to build houses for his buddies.

    It caught me off guard to say the least, and I said that I would do it once I seen prints.  He is going to bring the friends out to see my work this week.  I had a long covversation with him about this,  and the subdivision he complimented my work and really liked the winder stairs,  he passed them already. 

    I hope we turned a corner today with this guy,  if so my life will be much easier. 

    Can't you hear the violin playing your song.

    1. Mooney | Jul 12, 2006 03:44am | #66

      That sounds like a terriffic start of a good  relationship.

      Tim

      1. User avater
        intrepidcat | Jul 12, 2006 07:14am | #70

        Yeah, just waiting on them to walk off into a foggy night.

         

          

        If having a low wage work force was good for a country's economy then why hasn't Mexico built a fence? 

         

    2. DonK | Jul 12, 2006 03:46am | #67

      I hope you are over the hurdle in a good way.

      I would be real clear with him up front - what about pricing and what if there's a problem? You could go from pergatory directly to hell.

      Good luck.

      Don K. 

      EJG Homes     Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

      1. Stilletto | Jul 12, 2006 04:31am | #68

        I thought about that on the way home.   Thats a great way of putting it.  Can't you hear the violin playing your song.

        1. DougU | Jul 12, 2006 06:58am | #69

          I wouldnt discuss price or conditions with the inspector - your not going to do the work for him.

          Sounds like a good deal though. Good thing you didnt go loco on him when he failed ya though.

          Doug

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