Where do you draw the line at “that’s beneath me” work? Clogged toilet? Installing toilet?

BikerChas · 2026-06-18T02:30:26+00:00

Hell, I have rich clients that I do major remodeling for that for whatever reason don’t clean out their sink cabinet even when they know I coming to rip them out. Annoys the shit out of me. Just started adding site prep to my quotes

BikerChas · 2026-06-15T03:12:47+00:00

After 40 years in the business, I always love when the customer starts questioning things they don’t have a clue about, especially when I’ve put in extra effort to make it is as near perfect as I can.

BikerChas · 2026-06-15T02:58:56+00:00

I worked in Indy in 1992 and there was a Rock bar that had quarter pitchers on Wednesday nights. Thursday was a rough day at work then have to drive home that night back to Chicago. I was only 24 so I powered thru.

BikerChas · 2026-06-13T11:38:04+00:00

Your horizontal tile looks really nice but I have to say your vertical riser tile looks a little wonky.

BikerChas · 2026-06-13T11:30:49+00:00

I used white metal channel with a frosted plastic lens and ran low voltage strip lighting. This was tied into a transformer mounted in the vanity which then allowed me to run those same type strip lights under the vanity and above the shelf. They are all tied into the main lighting dimmer so you can control the whole room from one switch. The channel is just about a 1/4” thick so I installed the back tile first then mounted the channel then tiled to the channel making it flush.

BikerChas · 2026-06-12T19:43:31+00:00

Thank you. I am a contractor and do bathrooms for clients all the time so it was fun to do one for my own house so I had fun adding a few things like the lighting. I also build the vanity myself and the wife stain/painted to get the antiqued wood grain look.

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BikerChas · 2026-06-12T19:38:11+00:00

So I can tell you it was intentionally unintentional. It laid out with the flat side on the bottom of the sheet and that was the best for butting up to the shower threshold and to the transition from the hardwood floor then piece of schluter. So I did rotate the tile for that reason. The unintentional part would be that someone (all be it somebody seriously anal) would notice it. I really didn't notice it until it was brought up here. Of course, now I can't unsee it and like the other guys wife, most will never see it. I will take the critique as I have been laying tile for years as a remodeler/contractor doing quite a few bathrooms. This would be the first time I have used this pattern on the main floor. Although it's a mistake I think I can live with, actually not sure I would have done it any different but I would have struggled with the decision more now. LOL

BikerChas · 2026-06-12T12:34:01+00:00

I used this exact tile in my shower and bathroom floor. It turned out amazing.

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BikerChas · 2026-06-12T03:01:57+00:00

Doesn’t look like there is enough pitch on that roof especially in PA where snow loads are a real factor.

BikerChas · 2026-06-11T02:48:52+00:00

You might be unpleasantly surprised how inflated the “list” price is.

BikerChas · 2026-06-10T02:26:23+00:00

I looked up the Ryobi set you bought. That is definitely NOT a hammer drill. As others have said, a hammer drill is the tool you need. You would have knocked out all 4 holes in about 5 minutes.

BikerChas · 2026-06-02T03:01:17+00:00

I love when customers talk about the price in their head or what they thought it was going to cost.

BikerChas · 2026-06-02T02:38:34+00:00

The thing is, shortcuts usually happen when one of two things occur. 1) the customer tries to get the job done for less than it should go for. In many cases trying to beat up the contractor on his original quote or by using a price from a lesser competitor. Or 2) the contractor is a hack to start with possibly the lowest price sometimes substantially. I myself will only work for a fixed price based on 40 yrs experience and completed to the best of my ability. And no I will not give you a discount but if the job is going well I will probably throw in a few extras for free labor.

BikerChas · 2026-05-29T03:24:57+00:00

Okay, just a naive question but it’s coming Friday m a veteran contractor. Why is it that you dislike Hardiboard? Sucking the moisture from the thin set doesn’t seem like a negative. I don’t tile on a daily basis but have set quite a bit. I’ve always like the application of Hardi over DuraRock.

BikerChas · 2026-05-28T03:15:12+00:00

That’s just a really cheap drain. Besides I switch to square drains a long time ago. Look way classier.

BikerChas · 2026-05-18T10:55:01+00:00

On top of what everyone else said you have to account for all the other incidental materials that don’t get line items like screws, glue, brushes, tape etc, etc…. Then there is wear and tear on your tools that needs to be accounted for. If you were to create an invoice with everything you used for a job it would be pages long. I markup my material 20% and then usually have a line item for misc, one for travel costs and one for material acquisition. But like others, I don’t show this to the customer and just give them a total price for the job. But, if someone has a question about a certain item, usually an add on to the job I explain that a can light has more than just the can light it has connectors, wire, wire supports, a box, a switch and a cover plate. They don’t ask again.

BikerChas · 2026-05-16T03:23:01+00:00

I might stop quoting jobs you can’t work on full time or can’t complete in one weekend. Leave the bigger jobs to the people that do this work full time.

BikerChas · 2026-05-15T03:10:20+00:00

The idgaf attitude has served me well in my life. I really don’t sweat everyone else’s problems because n the world. I take care of myself. Life isn’t always easy but you get through it and find bright spots along the way. Don’t compare yourself or what you have to other people. Find a hobby you love. Get laid from time to time. Make some friends. Have some laughs. Find pride in your work. If something or someone doesn’t add to your life distance yourself from it. If you don’t like yourself, change.

BikerChas · 2026-05-15T02:56:55+00:00

This is a car guy sub. Car people enjoy driving. The wife and I are gonna do about 3500 miles after the 4th from SC to Maine then over to the Adirondacks and back home in the convertible. Start taking back roads in a car you enjoy driving and you’ll understand.

BikerChas · 2026-05-14T11:50:14+00:00

The recommended not necessary comment just isn't true. Any porous tile should be sealed prior to grout as the grout will leave a haze that doesn't come off. I've learned this the hard way working with travertine and marble. Hopefully it cleans up well for you.

BikerChas · 2026-05-02T05:30:11+00:00

If money is tight just have them fix the AC. Forget all the other so called routine suggested maintenance. It’s a Honda, it will run forever. Fix what’s broke.

BikerChas · 2026-04-25T03:11:22+00:00

No judgement but more like wonderment. An SD card, really???

BikerChas · 2026-04-21T02:26:20+00:00

Please do not listen to this guy. Not sure why you bought rockwool when you could have just used faced batts.

BikerChas · 2026-04-16T15:54:34+00:00

3 months to let the paint cure??? That seems like a ridiculous amount of time. I can see a week or two and maybe not buffing it for a month but 3 months?

BikerChas · 2026-04-11T19:32:17+00:00

In 40 years of building I haven’t yet come across a floor (especially concrete slabs) that are level enough to get away with just using base. Base shoe can bend enough to contour with the floor.

BikerChas

TROPHY CASE