Replies

1. 
   jonblakemore | Aug 17, 2009 08:44pm | #1

   Do you just want to talk or do you have specific questions?

   If you have questions, I would suggest writing them out to participants in this forum. The answers may not come from NYC, but they may be exactly what you need.

    

   Jon Blakemore

   RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

1. 
   mencheman | Aug 17, 2009 09:59pm | #2

   JonThank You , I will put them together

2. 
   FastEddie | Aug 17, 2009 10:08pm | #3

   I use MS Project, it's a good tool once you learn the in's and out's of the program.  The basic program is easy to use, it's when you start to take advantage of all it offers that it gets tricky. 

   Basically, you create a list of all events, in as much detail as you wamt, then assign each one a duration and either a fixed date or a dependency on another event.  It can be as simple as "order windows" or it could be window takoff, get quote, get samples, customer approval, place order, delivery lead time, deliver to site, installation etc.

   "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

3. 
   Scrapr | Aug 18, 2009 02:24am | #4

   I don't think you should use NYC to learn these business terms OTJ. Most of us learn it a little at a time. And take our (small) lumps. NYC is different than almost everywhere else. With building supers, and BI and coop rules.

   If you are learning OTJ I would pick an easier locale. Like Joisey. Just find out who you have to pay, and how much. You are good to go. For goodness sake the local rabbi is taking extra.

1. 
   mencheman | Aug 18, 2009 09:10pm | #9

   Thank you , been here in NYC for 25 years, took my lumps and a few beating, just looking for someone to exchange experience and see they would handle certain items
   but thank you and you are right - its can be the best place for OTJT if you have a mentor like Trump, tishman, bovis, turner

4. 
   Mongo | Aug 18, 2009 03:27am | #5

   I haven't done a lot of work in Manhattan, but I did renovate two apartments I own and then got pulled into doing quite a bit of work for others in my building. This was late 90's to early 00's.

   Briefly:

   Contracts are required. "Required" for your protection. It's pretty much the only time I had lawyers involved in construction due to construction restrictions; site access, freight elevators, parking, hours of work, total timelines, etc.

   Lien waivers were typical.

   Money transfers: Be real careful here. Many coop/condo associations have restrictions on project timelines and allowed work hours. The penalties for not complying can be extensive. What it requires is if it's true custom work, quite a bit of "stuff" has to be built or purchased prior to construction ever beginning, and then it obviously has to be stored prior to the start date. You don't want to front any money on these items. Should work not begin for any reason, you'll have a storage shell full of already ordered materials. And depending on the level of work you do, some of this stuff can be "one off" type of stuff. Whenever setting foot in Manhattan always structure the deal as if you're going to be screwed. Because if you don't you will be. If a contract has any chinks in it, trust me, those weaknesses will be exploited by a lawyered-up customer.

   One last note: Building materials. I brought in most materials from CT (where I live) and on one trip I picked up a tail, the guys followed me to my apartment building. Once there I was "welcomed" by a couple of boys wanting to know what work was being done, who did I get the job through, who was doing the work, where did the building materials come from, and next time buy them from their cousin Vinny, do I need a couple of guys to watch the panel truck while things get unloaded, etc, etc. I was small potatoes so nothing came of it but one of those things to be aware of.

5. 
   RichMast | Aug 18, 2009 03:50am | #6

   What Mongo said and more.  Haven't in a long while, but many buildings had union rules like needing union porters to carry stuff in, and only allowing in union workers.  Had quite a few adventures evading capture.

   Coop rules on work hours (usually 9-5 m-f) and insurance requirements (need to name building on policy) and requirements for engineering for any wrok which could touch the building structure (even moving a plumbing fixture) are common in the 5 boros.

   Hope this helps.  Rich
6. 
   betterbuiltnyc | Aug 18, 2009 04:04am | #7

   I'm doing residential work in NYC. Manhattan is a real PITA, but if you stay out of larger (25+ unit) buildings it is a little more bearable. Thank goodness my client base skews heavily towards the smaller buildings.

   My payment is structured with payment on the commencement of phases--alot of things can go screwy in NYC so I don't like to get too far behind on money. That said, I'll execute almost any lien waiver, as I've never been stiffed.

   I don't to new construction, or production commercial. Your questions seem aimed at stuff like that maybe?

1. 
   mencheman | Aug 18, 2009 09:06pm | #8

   So you get a deposit of x% on commencement and then at the commencement or completion of each phase. it so is your schedule of values on your requistion for payment listed as phases.
   At what stage do you expect to get a release of retaingae. I just finished a job where the dunnage was 47,000 dollars with 10% retainage. it was completed in january and a controlled inspection was done and signed off. why should the steel sub be waiting for retainage

1. 
   frammer52 | Aug 18, 2009 10:11pm | #10

   why should the steel sub be waiting for retainage>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

   Shouldn't, but we haven't seen the contracts, sorry.