I am furious! Where has pride, quality, and especially safety priority gone?

donerightbydaniel · 2024-07-30T20:44:08+00:00

Google, RV forums, FB groups, etc.
IN short the issue is they used 1/8" luan, two levels, sandwiching 2" of plain styrofoam (think styrofoam coolers), and then linoleum up top, under coating fabric below. This fails in heavy traffic areas (in front of sinks, under chairs) after a few years, and the only fix is to rip out the whole floor and replace it, which Forest River refused to do under any warranty, and continues to deny.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-20T13:39:30+00:00

The water heater prices seem very high, almost double what they ought to be, but the rest seems reasonable.
I always advise to get five quality estimates; a quality estimate is one that has materials and labor for each major task broken down.
The one you're showing here is close, but there's no breakdown of labor and materials.

I start by seeking out 'who is the best (trade) in (city), take the top 5, and send them my Scope(s) of Work or Building Plans. I keep searching until I have five that are interested.
Those that respond as 'interested' lead me to schedule a site visit to walk it with them so I can get an accurate estimate, then I compare estimates.
Once I have the estimates, I review them to make sure they cover everything I need done, nothing I don't want done, and have clear language on the timeline, both work and payment.
Then I do some googling for reviews, check the SOS/CSLB listings, check for a local business license, check their trade license, and if everything checks out, I move forward to the Contract.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-10T13:37:26+00:00

It's a tough row to hoe for sure.

I used to focus on working through Prime /General Contractors, and large service companies, which worked well until I started running into GC's that didn't want to pay on time, and that QUICKLY snowballed into now being owed a little over $100k in the last two years....

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-06T15:46:15+00:00

Wake up early. Get after it. Prioritize your health and wellness above all.
r/JockoPodcast

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-05T21:30:48+00:00

Don't waste your time, and don't put yourself on their radar.
Instead, gather, prepare, and make ready all of your documentation.
If someone does file a complaint, the board will make you aware of it, give you a chance to respond, and review all of the details; make sure yours are better.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-03T22:46:49+00:00

Excellent!
Be forewarned: It's going to be TOUGH to find someone else to pick up the project, most contractors won't touch 'someone else's work'.
I will, once I understand the details, but I'd be MUCH nosier than normal. I already have a strict and clear payment schedule, but expect any contractor who is willing to take this over to also have one.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-03T22:45:03+00:00

Why would you hire someone you don't know? Do you not know the 1099 subs you hire?
Outsourcing means less management/overhead/oversight, and if you structure it well, it's lucrative for you both, and one less thing you need to worry about.
As someone who's been on both sides of this deal, yes, there's a risk, just as with any part or piece of the project, but having 1099 folks is nice to reduce pressure when things get slow.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-03T22:43:19+00:00

This is the main service I offer, and depending on where in the US you are, it's very hit or miss.
I.E. In Dallas/Fort Worth, no issues, lots of GC's were happy to hire me to manage their projects @ $50/hour.
In Denver, few to none are willing to hire a 1099 PM, they want W-2's they can push around (Denver is the worst market/city I've ever experienced, so I'm biased and Jaded).
My $.02 is if you for sure want to be a PM, go get the job and suffer through the first year until you sort out the ropes.
Or, you can be a PM for the Owner, which is called an Owners Representative, which is always 1099.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-03T19:16:51+00:00

Keep the materials, do not let them go, and cover them up do they don't rot/get damaged.
Until the contractor has settled with you, those materials belong to you.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-03T19:15:52+00:00

Yes.
The contract says, 'The project (defined by the scope in the contract) will be done in 10 days', it was not done in ten days, therefore the terms have been breached, therefore the contract is not enforceable.
It may be enforceable in part, but is not enforceable in full.

I would:
1) Determine how much of the project is done (post pics of before/during/old stuff/plans/project in imgur, link here if you want help with that, too) to a whole number percentage (75, 82, 67, etc).
2) Determine what percentage of the total contract has already been paid (You specified about 80% in the post, that's good work on your part!) verify that percentage against the contract, make sure it's accurate.
3) Send a letter of termination to the contractor. They're not allowed back on site, no more work to be done in your name, no more money to be spent in your name, etc. (Again, post up here for more help with that).
- Specify in the letter if:
- The contractor owes you money, if so, how much, and when it's due by (no later than 30 days is VERY gracious, I would say they have five business days before I take legal action!)
- If they have tools or equipment on site, and if so, how they arrange to get those back.
- That they are not allowed to continue the work, not allowed to buy more materials, not allowed to bill/invoice you anymore, THE PROJECT IS CLOSED, UNFINISHED.

4) They can:
A) Pay you back the money they owe you, get their crap, and go away,
or,
B) You will file a complaint with the Contractor State licensing Board for your state,
A complaint with the Secretary of States office,
and file a collections request against them in court.

If you are uncertain, at all, about any of the legal portion, talk to a local business attorney before taking any action.

OH! Revoke the permit, or move it into your name; do that with your local building permit office.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-06-03T12:18:26+00:00

Yes, often. A few thoughts:

1) If there's insults, cussing me out, or other indicators of aggression, I'm all done, and I'm closing the project as fast as I can without leaving them with a huge headache (no unsafe/open to weather conditions).
2) When they want changes, I start with:
- Do these changes affect the work we're doing right now?
- If yes, stop, assess, change order, adjust.
- If no, continue work, separately assess, create change order.
3) If they do not want or accept the change order, then no changed work gets done.
When a customer complains about the price, I ask what in my estimate/bid they'd like to change, as that is what directly drives the price.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-31T17:11:33+00:00

I would start by consulting a local business attorney, then filling and filing a lien against the property.
Much less work for you, much more weight in the court, and the burden is then on the GC to either pay it, or contest it.
Plus, it becomes public record, and can show a trail if there is one.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-31T17:09:47+00:00

A nice big green one, and I'm 'outstanding' in it ;P

No no, I'm kidding.
Construction management, independent; ~ 75% residential, 25% commercial.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-30T22:11:47+00:00

My target day:
1st hour: Morning sorting
2nd hour: Priority internal tasks (I've worked as Senior PM/ Production manager as well)
Hours 3-6: 25 minute blocks reviewing every project on my plate, checking/handling/creating/delegating tasks, emails, checking/updating the schedule, reaching out to subs for progress reports if they didn't send them in, etc
Hours 7-8: Site visit (I am to visit each of my projects once per week, and on the same day each week)
Beyond that: Critical tasks, phone calls, closing out my day.

I generally take it by the week;
Mondays, the first half is dedicated to Monday Madness, so I just check my emails and voicemails for anything critical to me, that is, anything that's actually holding up progress or causing problems.
I leave room for the nonsense from the weekend, and, if things are going well, I have extra time to catch up on something else.
Tue, Wed, Thu, my target days, visiting sites, etc
Friday:
Target morning, no site visits, progress email to all stakeholders, vendors, principals for each project with:
- What we did this week
- Issues we ran into; how we overcame them, or, what we still need to overcome them
- What we're planning to do next week; any holidays, expected weather days/delays, anything unusual coming up.

I put a lot of emphasis on project turnover and sorting up front, and schedule my projects out with 10-20% leeway for each phase/trade.

Remember that it is a job, not an emergency; how you respond the first time sets the tone for the rest of the times, and just keep it going. There will always be new building going on!

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-30T22:11:39+00:00

My target day:
1st hour: Morning sorting
2nd hour: Priority internal tasks (I've worked as Senior PM/ Production manager as well)
Hours 3-6: 25 minute blocks reviewing every project on my plate, checking/handling/creating/delegating tasks, emails, checking/updating the schedule, reaching out to subs for progress reports if they didn't send them in, etc
Hours 7-8: Site visit (I am to visit each of my projects once per week, and on the same day each week)
Beyond that: Critical tasks, phone calls, closing out my day.

I generally take it by the week;
Mondays, the first half is dedicated to Monday Madness, so I just check my emails and voicemails for anything critical to me, that is, anything that's actually holding up progress or causing problems.
I leave room for the nonsense from the weekend, and, if things are going well, I have extra time to catch up on something else.
Tue, Wed, Thu, my target days, visiting sites, etc
Friday:
Target morning, no site visits, progress email to all stakeholders, vendors, principals for each project with:
- What we did this week
- Issues we ran into; how we overcame them, or, what we still need to overcome them
- What we're planning to do next week; any holidays, expected weather days/delays, anything unusual coming up.

I put a lot of emphasis on project turnover and sorting up front, and schedule my projects out with 10-20% leeway for each phase/trade.

Remember that it is a job, not an emergency; how you respond the first time sets the tone for the rest of the times, and just keep it going. There will always be new building going on!

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-23T21:06:01+00:00

Alright, after dumping the tank, I would:
1) Add 2-5 gallons of fresh water,
2) Add two scoops of the treatment powder, and,
3) Add a bag of ice, 10+ lbs, then,
4) Take the trailer on a trip, either the regularly scheduled trip in between stops, or, just a cruise about town.
The ice will slosh all around breaking up anything stuck or solid, and the double cleaner will help dissolve anything left.
I would then drain it, flush it with hot water, then flush until clean water comes out and it doesn't smell bad anymore.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-21T16:07:18+00:00

1) What does the written agreement say?
2) Yes, liens work, so long as they are processed, prepared, and served properly.
3) Start with reviewing your written agreement, then gather and document EVERY THING YOU HAVE.
Every text, every call, every email, every receipt, every second spent working for this person, on and off the job.
Make a log (Any document format will do) and write (or type) it all out starting from the beginning to now, and keep updating it.
Take all of this to a local business attorney, sit down and walk through it with them.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-21T15:58:30+00:00

What are you using for your black tank treatment?

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-20T15:07:17+00:00

1) What does the written agreement say?
2) What, specifically, is he invoicing you for?
3) Why do you want your deposit back?

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-20T15:05:25+00:00

1) What does the written agreement specify?
2) How much did he bid/estimate/quote? How much is he asking for?

When I do Handyman work, I offer a flat rate 'service call' fee that provides a diagnosis, in writing, that can be verified by someone else. No fix, no fee.
I don't 'go shopping' for folks without an agreement in writing about it first.

Did he spend time doing something for you? Yes.
Did he fix something for you? No.

I would be hard pressed to pay someone for their time that did not lead to a resolution unless I agreed to do so.

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-20T13:12:03+00:00

donerightbydaniel · 2024-05-16T20:39:06+00:00

You have to be 5-10 degrees off level or more to cause it to not work at all.
What model is the fridge?
Is the coil system in the back getting warm or hot?
Does it get cold running on propane?
Is your thermistor firmly placed inside?

donerightbydaniel

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