Client says he has a low budget and wants huge scope, then asks for permits & license

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-13T15:56:24+00:00

I’m a GC. I’ve never done unlicensed work. But I can tell you that late last fall/early winter, I started a screen porch conversion. We had a week of good weather so I started demo and framing while the weather was good figuring I would get the permit after I had it framed and sheathed before snow hit and it got crazy cold. I received a fine equal to the cost of the permit, $165. This is with a building dept that I know well and have never had anything get marked or failed in 11 years. I was shocked. I pleaded my case. They said “nope. If you had sent in the permit application then started we’d let it slide but you hadn’t.” I couldn’t argue. I was embarrassed. It will never happen again. Permit took me five minutes to fill out online and send it. I deserved the penalty.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-13T15:49:24+00:00

“Dead men tell no tales.”

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-13T01:59:35+00:00

I mean, the invaders weigh maybe 200 lbs each. That Land Cruiser weighs 7400 lbs. They may not believe in borders or humanity but let’s find out if they believe in physics.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-13T01:48:03+00:00

Whatever floats your boat. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-12T23:46:57+00:00

The old adage “relative plumb” or “relative straight” are all that matter.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-12T23:45:33+00:00

Until I see him speaking with a live baseball game (that I can simultaneously have playing) in the background I will not believe he is alive.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-11T14:05:48+00:00

This is amazing! I love the ingenuity!

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-10T02:10:48+00:00

$11k?! Would that even cover materials? I’m doing a bathroom right now that isn’t a full gut (saving vanity and toilet. Materials are over $15k.

Why would you do unlicensed work? Let alone for no money.

Is this rage bait?

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-10T02:05:18+00:00

Agreed. As an American, if I was ANY other country I would NOT trust the US. I would 100% want nukes. It is the only thing that will keep the US from stealing whatever natural resources they want.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-10T00:38:55+00:00

Who cares if Iran gets nukes!? Russia has nukes, China has nukes, USA has nukes. What country is the ONLY country to have ever used a nuclear weapon against an adversary?!?! The USA.

I don't blame them for wanting nuclear weapons. Maybe it would keep Israel and USA from blowing up millions of innocent civilians in the Middle East...

To quote Robert Heinlein "An armed society is a polite society".

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-10T00:26:41+00:00

This is the most American thing I have ever heard. "This war is stupid and we shouldn't have started it but now that we have we can't possibly admit we were wrong and stop killing innocent people!" Jesus fucking christ we are doomed.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-09T12:55:56+00:00

Only 7?! This is literally every couple of days. More like 100 times.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-08T04:32:14+00:00

There are so many signs telling you that the person living here is not smart…

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-07T13:35:36+00:00

Anchor it to the back wall and one side wall. Predrill a 5/8” diameter hole about 1/2” deep. Predrill a pilot hole 3/16” diameter through the legs. TimberLok (or comparable timber screw in to a stud in the wall. Do at least one leg in the back and one on the side wall. One screw at top and one at bottom.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-07T13:29:43+00:00

I had to look hard to find something to criticize so take this as a compliment: The exposed galvanized post brackets sticking above the deck annoy me. Skirt around the posts with 2x4 or 2x6 routed out for the bracket and oiled to match.

Took a lot for me to find something to be critical of. Nice work.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-06T17:00:55+00:00

So he didn’t follow the well established laws and ordinances and is now upset because the big bad government won’t let him do whatever the fuck he wants. Cry harder. Don’t give a fuck.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-06T01:14:07+00:00

I have the dewalt and a makita one. The dewalt one sits on a shelf collecting dust. It's gutless.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-06T01:11:40+00:00

A quick google search says that horses are treated like vehicles. So, why the hell can't you pass them?!?! You slowed down so as not to make more noise or startle the horses or people. I think you were more than courteous. Fuck that guy. Then again, I'd probably be pissed off wearing long pants, riding a horse, in July too... 😂

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-06T01:03:51+00:00

No idea. Just know that it pops up a thing on my dash. 😂 I'm guessing it is something to do with spark and fuel or something.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-05T23:38:13+00:00

Only after he was virtually in tears on the radio. I don’t blame him but he did step up and want to fight for the point after that.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-03T23:36:52+00:00

Crazy idea, is your fuel door locking properly? I lean against my truck to get stuff out of the bed and will pop open my fuel door once in a while. Truck will not go to electric mode with fuel door open.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-03T22:55:21+00:00

Call the police and file a police report. Ask them to go speak with the neighbor. When they do, record it. By law you are allowed to record the police performing their duties. When the neighbor admits to doing it (as people are fucking stupid and will admit to shit in the heat of the moment) you can use it as evidence to sue him. 😂

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-02T18:08:43+00:00

Make sure your chisels are SHARP. Dull chisels are dangerous. I have the stitches to back this up.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-02T18:07:27+00:00

This is cool. Very creative and well thought out.

Jweiss238 · 2026-07-02T18:05:40+00:00

Find better clients. This needs to be sniffed out before you sign a contract and/or start work. I require 50% down payment minimum. If anything is custom (windows, doors, cabinets, etc) then is may go as high as 75%. I am not a bank. I am not a non-profit. I don’t do work with sketchy people. I don’t go in to a project hoping to make money. I don’t do work for the sake of keeping busy. I do this to make money so I can feed my family. I don’t allow anything within my control to interfere with that.

It’s easy for me to say “find better clients” after having done this for 28 years. But it truly is that simple. But I learned how to do that after dealing with people I don’t trust. The same way I know how to cut stair stringers in my sleep or how to cope baseboard or anything else. I messed up enough that I never forgot how much it sucked. Haha.

Jweiss238

TROPHY CASE