Good craftspeople in Chicago needed…electrician, plumber, mason. More into restoration than renovation, please. If you’re around, we could probably talk to a plasterer too.
Thanks!
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What about carpenters?
Also what part of Chicago, this is a pretty big area. Narrow it down a little bit please.
Hi, thanks, sorry.
It is the Northwest Side of Chicago...near Foster and Pulaski.
So far, it looks like we are okay of carpentry and the most amount of work to be done will be on electrical, plumbing, and plastering. Because this is a restoration and we aren't gutting, we're focusing on those things first.
We'll need carpenters eventually when we "re-do" upstairs and the kitchen. But that is down the road a ways. We were hoping to do it this winter, but everything is hinging on finding the other three specialists. Sorry to be so mysterious, but with everyone so busy, scheduling is so rough.
Maybe that's why people hire GC's (I'm assuming you're a homeowner). It's part of the GC's responsibility to find the subs, and manage the schedule- that's what they're paid for. Of course, you can continue trying to find subs on your own, calling them, hoping they show up to your project instead of to one run by a GC who gives them a steady flow of work, etc. And, you'll probably pay more for their services that a GC would, since they have no working relationship with you.
Of course, I could be reading your post wrong- if you're a GC, best of luck finding subs.
Bob
We would LOVE a GC. It's an awkward situation though.
Our new next door neighbor is a GC. He would love to be the GC for us and we really love him as a neighbor. But when we began talking with him, like the person in another thread, we felt we were working against him rather than with him.
Everything we wanted to do, he was dead against it. "Keep the plaster? Just gut it and do drywall." "Do A, B or C? Why?"
Our philosophies are different. No doubt, his house is gorgeous. They bought it, gutted it from top to bottom, installed top of the line everything. But it is hard for me to see the "old house" in their old house. It looks like a new, surburban house on the inside. And he wants our house to be the same as their house. But that just isn't us.
In the meantime, I think bringing in another GC would wound him deeply. We are trying to think of a way to work with him and still get the house that would reflect us.
Plus, he has deep, emotional feelings about our house. He hated the owner and wanted to buy this house and gut it. She wouldn't sell to him. He told her that no one would buy at her price because they would have to put $100K of work into it to make it decent. They had a huge flight about it. And at his level of work, he WOULD have put in $100K. We think it will take $60K because we are satisfied with a different type of house. She sold the house to us. But he never told us anything about this--after we had already bought the house, I figured it out from things that were said. I worry now that he wants to "prove" that it will take $100K. The situation requires sensitive diplomacy. They will be our neighbors for a long, long time.
So, yes, I would LOVE a GC. But we don't know what to do. The houses here are built "elbow to knee". If we had another GC in, he would absolutely know.
Well, I know you've got to keep friendly with neighbors, but as I see it, you've got two ways to get a GC in without hurting the neighbor's feelings (God- now we have to worry about neighbor GC's feelings....lol):
1. Tell him you'd like to hire him, but you'd rather not work with relatives or neighbors- it's normally not a good idea to do so anyway, so I'm sure he'd understand.
2. Tell him that you fully appreciate his opinions, ideas, etc., regarding how to go forward on your project, but that you have certain aspects that you'd like to see done certain ways- if he can't work within your framework, you'll have to find another GC who can. Again, I would think he'd understand.
I'd hate to see you have to struggle through a 60K remodel on your own just to avoid upseting your neighbor.....
Bob
Thanks! Those are great ideas...I've never worked with a GC before, was so happy to be able to do this, but also wouldn't dream of hurting a good friend. Because they've been good friends since BEFORE the whole house buying episode and are very very good neighbors.
Well there ya go!!! NEVER, and I repeat NEVER have work done by friends, unless you are willing to lose their friendship due to misunderstandings on the job (and Lord knows, remodeling can be fraught with misunderstandings....lol). Friends who are neighbors makes it even worse!!
Be sure to let him know that you'd appreciate his advice, suggestions, etc (you'll get them anyway, so might as well admit it...lol). And maybe a thank you gift certificate, etc., at the end of the project for his unpaid assistance.
Best of luck,
Bob
No worries :) I think they got the thank you in advance. There was a Victorian love seat, really beautiful, in the basement. Not our style (we are more Bungalow Mission) and his wife coveted it. She does reupholstery and refinishing.
We just gave it to them. Along with a U.S. Army WWII issue folding shovel, a vintage Boy Scout Firestarting Kit and their daughter selected a few vintage books. They helped us move some things in to the first floor and he gave us some advice at the beginning of this venture.
The ADT guy walked out with one of the other folding shovels too :)
We're keeping enough interesting stuff on hand in this crazy house to take care of the contractors. If they express interest, it is theirs. If they don't, they get a gift certificate or cash.
Now, the trick will be FINDING a GC. I think our neighbor was hoping to be the one so he could pin down some extra cash this winter. And he is a perfectionist and does wonderful work...argh. It is a messy situation. I feel kind of stuck right now. No forward motion over here.
Tell him you value your friendship too much to jeopardize it by doing this project together. If he's ever hung wallpaper with his wife, he'll understand what you mean :-)
Tell him you'll be glad to hear any advise he has to give, as a friend, and let him know you appreciate and respect him professionally. Do not let him talk you out of going elsewhere for a GC. You'll have to hear "I told you so" a hundred times during the job, but it will be better than losing a friend and a neighbor.
Eric
jmo-----
your problem is simply solved. not EASILY mind you,but simply.
Assuming your a gal----ya ever break up with a boyfriend and do the old" it's not you, it's me" thing. Well you do the same thing here.
----Now I am sure you are a lovely person and a joy to be around in real life----but what ya do here is ----go to the neighbor/GC and say," We would absolutely LOVE to have you GC this work for us & you are such a good friend it would be so much fun to do this together-----but I know by the end of the project I am gonna be an ABSOLUTE bitch,and you would just hate me forever and ever---and you are to DEAR a friend ,blah,blah,blah.
If you do it right---he will be thanking YOU for not asking him to handle the project!
and if you are a guy----you do the same thing only point to your fear that the end of the project will reveal you to be the jerk and schmuck you "really" are but have been hiding from him to this point.
See? a little self deprecation is in order. The important thing is NOT to let the neighbor continue to hold you hostage in your own home!