The other day … I get a phone message froma guy I’ve subbed for in the past … who’s company just .. like days ago .. went bankrupt.
He calls .. says he has a coupla half-finished projects going … one of which he’d like to hand over to me.
I think … sounds like a mess …
I know for a fact it was a messy bankrupcy … guys not paid … every supplier owed toms of money …. not a pretty sight.
I also think … I’m just about to start the final phase of the current job .. which require me and my helper to work 5 and 6 10’s … for about 2 months …
So I’m overbooked at the moment as it is….
But .. I figure … nothing ventured … nothing gained.
Guy calls the next day and this time says he’s on his way to meet with the customer .. and was gonna mention my name as his first choice.
So … I call and say … I’m busy …. but let’s see what ya got. I can always politely bow out if it won;t work … but let’s not expect much …
So we set a meeting … the builder has a point by point list … item by item .. of what’s outstanding … and which sub’s gotta do what .. and who’s been paid for which work.
Seems most immediate details are phone work and getting the subs back in …
Then … the biggest project left … a big custom bar area … isn;t even ordered yet .. so there’s a 6 to 8 week delay in the process to wait for those cab’s to be delivered.
After a walk thru … looks like this will fit almost perfectly into my schedule … and the job site is not more than 10 min from where I’m working at the moment.
After talking with the HO … he tells me it’s already months late … so what’s a few more weeks here and there … at this point .. he just wants it finished …. sometime … and finished nice. He’ll wait for me to fit him in.
Have to work up some prices this week …. but I’m pretty sure his budget can get the job done … to the level of finish he wants and deserves.
Looks to be a win/win.
And to think … I was gonna call back and take a pass … because I had the situation different in my mind.
As an added bonus … the guy tells me he’s still planning the aprox $40K deck job either this summer or next … and … they’re probably gonna go ahead and see about extending the kitchen … which they decided to hold off on … to get the basement finished.
And … 2 of his neighbors have been asking about the job … as they both are thinking addition next year.
Might be … win/win/win.
Words for the day … be positive …. think … at the very least … maybe.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Replies
Didn't you start this discussion a month or so ago? And you were wondering about taking on contracts in various stages from the failing company? How did that turn out?
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
asked about that when we walked the site ...
as things went .... no contracts in the pipeline.
That's what finally fell the ax ... he had a huge one on the books ... was planning on finishing up all the other jobs ... then combine all the crews to swarm the big one ...
got to the door the Mon morn scheduled to pick up the start/design check ...
Lady told him ... sorry ... we've just been transfered .. got the call on Sat.
No check .. no other jobs lined up ... no more Peter to pay Paul ...
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Congrats Jeff hope it works out. I'am just going to pay devils advocate.
1 is the homeowner just so happy that somebody is in line to complete work, that he is playing possum
2 who assumes liability for previous work to this point as it seems from your posting you are to be GC
3 are there liens on property as of this date, and will they be satisfied, if so is their enough money in construction loan or in escrow to complete work
4 have all inspections been done to date.
5 have you seen lein waivers ie: partials and full
6 is builders list accurate as to what needs to be finished and who needs to be paid, check with trades if you are to be the GC
7 if you are going to be GC how will you be compensated for trades other than yourself, % flat fee etc.
8 get current insurance cert. with you listed as insured from all subs that you will retain
9 who's name is going to be on current building cert. yours or current builder. If it's yours you are assuming liabilty. check out a lawyer
10 be careful of the carrot he is daggling about future work, see item 1
In all sincerity I hope this is a win situation for you, just be careful, hate to see you standing last in line when the money gets paid out. Good looking boy you have, I'am expecting new son in about 6 weeks. Good luck and God Bless
I was able to keep tabs on this HO thru the painter .. he was there working thru out it all ... went straight thru the HO on this job .... good fly on the wall .... HO is a good guy.
I'm going to write a contract ... that'll state that I'm not responsible for work up till this point ....and I'm working as "just another sub" ... HO's gonna be the official GC .. for just that reason.
no liens as of yet ... the money's in the HO's pocket ... which should be plenty deep.
inspections to date have been completed ... final's still need done when that time comes. Some already paid for .. some not. All spelled out on the spec sheet.
no lein waivers...
builders list very accurate .. as far as I can tell so far ... still have to make the "Hi, I'm Jeff" calls ... see who's been naughty or nice.
GC and phone work .... flat fee ... my hands on work ... set price. I hope to be able to give him a scope of work contract and set cost ... hourly may be easier ... my thoughts .... no reason I can't "estimate" this one ... will take a bit more time ... but the HO will be on better ground .... at least mentally .. after getting screwed once with cost and time over runs ... then having his dream project get shut down before completition. I wanna be as fair to the guy as possible .. and still make a fair dollar myself. Willing to take a bit of a gamble and go the extra mile for the potential good will that may pay back for years. Could be superman here ... or at least ... a really nice contractor that helped someone out of a bind.
all subs are gonna officially be working under the HO. I'll be just another sub. I think that's the best stance from my end at this late point in the game.
In this area .... as long as a permit was pulled ... and all the major inspections have been done already ... the building inspector won't care who's name is on there .... real upscale neighborhood where they take care of their residents. Actually .. at this point ... anything requiring a local permit has been completed and inspected. All's that left is trim .... electric and plumbing go thru the county ... and the installer pulls that permit and calls for inspections. It's a basement conversion .. so no occupancy issues to deal with. Footprint of the house not changed .. or gonna change ... so the local doesn't care ... not even sure if they required a permit to start ... I'm on a similar job around the corner ... building inspector said not only didn;t I need any inspections ... aside from county electric/plumbing ... but I didn;t even need a paper permit/check on file.
Carrot ... I caught wind of this before I became involved ... the HO didn't even mention it till after we discussed the basement .... not dangled at all .... just mentioned after I made the old ... "and we'll try to get out as fast as possible and give ya yer house back.." comment. That's when he said time was important ... but not really ... as they have more plans after this basement .... just wanna do each project one at a time.
Thanks for the good wishes .... I have a pretty good track recond of being the first in line for payment and the first payed even if others aren't! Just a special way of "getting along" with people ... maybe I'm good at explaining why I should get paid?
Good luck with the kiddie .... mine been a blast since day one. Never understood the "just wait ... they get more fun as they get older" .... we've been having fun the whole time ... newborns can tell a good joke ... ya just gotta listen real close.
In the delivery room ... I told the Doc we were gonna pay more for one with personality! Told him to just charge the insurance ... I suggest the same ... it's worth the extra money!
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Hey good luck, doesn't seem like to long ago you went solo again, things certainly seem to be heading in the right direction at a decent pace. Think I'll go get a beer and toast to your success...
hey any reason for a cold one ya know?
Sounds like you got it handled, good luck. Maybe this could be one of those jobs that helps you get over the hump.
As far as the new one on the way this will be no. 6, 3 girls 3 boys. Yes it does get better with time. They all have their own distinct personality, didn't have to pay any extra. Just remember when I was a young teenage boy, young dumb and full of c_ m, I think that will be the hardest part for me when they start showing up at my doorstep, looking for my daugthers. Think I'll start practicing the evil eye look.
good luck and god bless
"the hardest part for me when they start showing up at my doorstep, looking for my daugthers"
that's when you're sitting on the couch cleaning a long barrel double barrel 10 ga mentioning how u love to shoot it way up in the woods where nobody goes and if u hurt yourself there nobody would find ubobl Volo, non valeo
Does it have to be a 10 ga. as I have alot of other weapons, do they carry the same effect? When your cleaning them do you have to have a far away look in your eyes.
Thats why I love this forum, always great informative info.
as long as it leaves a lasting impressionbobl Volo, non valeo
my helper was telling me about the time his x-wife showed up at his parents ... they married way young .. had a kid .. then she split ...
so she shows up to make one demand or another ... starts yelling at his Mom since he isn't home and she came all thay way to fight with someone ...
So Mom says ... "Honey, we have plenty of guns ... and 40 acres behind the house ... they'll never find your body...."
I loved that ..... 40 acres .. and we ain't afraid to use them!
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
i agree with all of this