Do we have an ongoing Contractors Screwing People Thread

[jayswin]

fuzz wouldn't self impose a ban.

[btimbit]

I wouldn't think so either, but him wanting to take a break is the only thing that makes sense. I don't see him actually doing something to warrant a ban

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I wouldn't think so either, but him wanting to take a break is the only thing that makes sense. I don't see him actually doing something to warrant a ban

It seems at least plausible to me that he said something over the line in one or the political threads. There has been the odd heated exchange with Yoho...

[Cappy]

I was cruising MLS one day (maybe last year) and saw a house for sale that i distinctly remember seeing on one the these property shows in Calgary; however, they definitely did not advertise that fact - which i thought was strange, but also probably a redflag.

[Matata]

Talked to a contractor about splitting one bathroom into 2, a month after he looked at it he finally quoted us $40k even. He had 0 ####s to give, so we got another guy who only came in slightly cheaper. The housing market is hot right now and people are trying to squeeze as much value as possible with renos. So renos are getting priced based on real estate, not labour and materials, and a good contractor could squeeze ~$10k profit off of a smaller job.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

What does one have to do to get in the sin bin?

Usually its a combination of soft rule-breaking and the admins feeling like you've got a bit of a hot streak going.

[Wormius]

It would benefit everybody to take a break once in a while. Feels like lots of people are taking things way too personally or lashing out. Sometimes feels like angst levels are set to max.

[Fuzzy14]

With renos, you often get what you pay for. That doesn't mean that all inexpensive contractors are screwing you, but they're generally cheaper for a reason. Good contractors know what they're worth and make good money because of the quality of their work. They also schedule their work in a responsible manner and turn down work if needed (rather than quote the job at double the value just so they don't get the job).

I used to work in the flooring business. Client wanted some really nice carpet and the quote came out to 12k. The client balked at the price, and a few days later called to say he found someone that would do it for 8k, asking if we would match. We said no way, cause there was no chance it was legit.

2 months later, the client comes back looking for new carpet. Turns out the other company bought "seconds" (without warranty) goods and installed those. There was a big red dot every 6 feet in her white carpet...

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy14

2 months later, the client comes back looking for new carpet. Turns out the other company bought "seconds" (without warranty) goods and installed those. There was a big red dot every 6 feet in her white carpet...

Was it cashmere?

[2ArmBands]

I have been a contractor in the construction industry for many years. Always work with integrity and margins that anyone would deem acceptable. I am always 100% fine breaking down my numbers and even showing my margins. In order for the business to be successful and maintain long term relationships I know I have to operate in a 2-3% variance in margins that are reasonably competitive.

What I can tell you is that most people "getting screwed over" tend to do it to themselves. I don't win 50% of the work I quote because people are so price driven. I honestly don't blame those that are cost conscious but often these people are the same ones looking for the lowest dollar. This is old news but when you select your contractor based on lowest dollar and have limited construction knowledge you are going to get a contractor and product that is in line with your $$$ and knowledge.

Over the last 15-20 years the average consumer or home owners ability with even basic construction/DIY ability has reduced drastically. I don't have any tangible numbers to back that up...just my observation. This is also putting a demand and premium on skilled trades workers and capable contractors which are already declining regardless of demand.

Do your research...put some value in word of mouth and investigate your contractor with whatever resources you can.

[Fuzzy14]

Was it cashmere?

Interestingly, I think it was from that series of carpet...

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Wormius

It would benefit everybody to take a break once in a while. Feels like lots of people are taking things way too personally or lashing out. Sometimes feels like angst levels are set to max.

What did you say to me, you son of a #####?!

[MillerTime GFG]

A buddy of mine is actually one of this guy's victims. Literally stole $77,000 from them.

[DoubleF]

Does this old article count?

https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/...derson-127436/

[Locke]

I mean, we all know that you can never trust Twins...right? They're creepy.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by 2ArmBands

I don't win 50% of the work I quote because people are so price driven.

I actually took the opposite approach. Like, besides giving me some reference jobs to look at (of course they'll only give good ones) you're in a terrible spot to make a call on who a good contractor is unless they did work for people you know.

I had someone quote me a price and a timeline that seemed incredibly optimistic from my naive viewpoint, and purposely selected someone more expensive because it's a sign you know what you're doing to foresee what are "unknown unknowns" for people less experienced.

The timeline went longer than expected (it always does, so do the ones I set at work...), but the price was almost spot on despite a few major surprises (old house).

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

The summer of the ongoing screwing people thread.

No need to bring up my summer 2016 like that.

[blender]

Originally Posted by Locke

Seems almost redundant. Is there a contractor that hasn't screwed people? I've yet to meet them.

Is there an accountant that isn’t an uptight #######? Maybe you need to get out and meet more people.

Stereotypes abound, but in all seriousness, I am a contractor and I operate with integrity and honesty. I know I'm not the only one.

Consumers who think that construction work is easy, and hire the lowest bidder without doing proper due diligence deserve what they get.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by blender

Is there an accountant that isn’t an uptight #######? Maybe you need to get out and meet more people.

Stereotypes abound, but in all seriousness, I am a contractor and I operate with integrity and honesty. I know I'm not the only one.

Consumers who think that construction work is easy, and hire the lowest bidder without doing proper due diligence deserve what they get.

No, they don't. No one deserves to get screwed/ripped off by a "business".

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Probably self imposed if I had to guess, he never does anything ban worthy

I wouldn’t say that at all.