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Gotta rant a little bit. I’ve been doing construction/ remodeling my whole life. But I’ve been noticing a big trend over the past year or two where the homeowner wants to be hyper involved in the whole process of remodeling their house, to the point where they are a detriment to the job itself. I absolutely want them involved in the stylistic decisions and picking out colors etc. But they don’t wanna just see a finished product anymore and be happy about it, or even be able to point out the things they want to fix at the end of the job. They want to be there every day and be integrated into the process. This wouldn’t be a bad thing if they knew what the fuck they were even talking about, but they have a laundry list of things they want done when I show up to the job the next day and can’t accept that somebody who’s been doing in their whole goddamn life might know what the hell he’s doing. Things are done in a certain order for a reason. Nail holes don’t get filled till the end. The trim gets caulked after it’s installed and there may be some gaps that will get filled. Or even worse they just decide that they don’t like the flooring that we’ve already put down that they picked and just expect we’re going to redo it in between commercial breaks. That isnt how this works . They think they are experts because they watch a fucking TV show every night. People need to turn off the goddamn TVs and let people do their job. Now that I own my own business I’m starting to hate people more than I ever have. Don’t get me wrong, some people are super cool and and pleasant to deal with. But goddamn do these people love to feel like they are Joanna Gaines when we’re coming to do some minor bullshit in their dilapidated house.

Gotta rant a little bit. I’ve been doing construction/ remodeling my whole life. But I’ve been noticing a big trend over the past year or two where the homeowner wants to be hyper involved in the whole process of remodeling their house, to the point where they are a detriment to the job itself. I absolutely want them involved in the stylistic decisions and picking out colors etc. But they don’t wanna just see a finished product anymore and be happy about it, or even be able to point out the things they want to fix at the end of the job. They want to be there every day and be integrated into the process. This wouldn’t be a bad thing if they knew what the fuck they were even talking about, but they have a laundry list of things they want done when I show up to the job the next day and can’t accept that somebody who’s been doing in their whole goddamn life might know what the hell he’s doing. Things are done in a certain order for a reason. Nail holes don’t get filled till the end. The trim gets caulked *after* it’s installed and there may be some gaps that will get filled. Or even worse they just decide that they don’t like the flooring that we’ve already put down *that they picked* and just expect we’re going to redo it in between commercial breaks. That isnt how this works . They think they are experts because they watch a fucking TV show every night. People need to turn off the goddamn TVs and let people do their job. Now that I own my own business I’m starting to hate people more than I ever have. Don’t get me wrong, some people are super cool and and pleasant to deal with. But goddamn do these people love to feel like they are Joanna Gaines when we’re coming to do some minor bullshit in their dilapidated house.

(post is archived)

[–] • 18 pts

Then there's assholes that take shortcuts at every opportunity if you're not breathing down their neck. It balances I suppose.

[–] • 3 pts (edited )

I agree, but usually when you are hiring Jose and his amigos or a craigslist hack. And if a customer has an actual problem with something they absolutely should bring it to attention. But I’m talking about something a little different, where the homeowner becomes something of a project manager and takes it upon themselves to direct the contractors all day long. Or at least not being able to see the big picture because of ignorance of the trade. The point is though, if you have no clue what you’re doing then hire a good contractor

[–] • 0 pt

I'm torn here, in that I agree and understand where you're coming from. It's the same issue with google and webMD. Everyone is suddenly 'educated' and wants to push this new-found "expertise" in areas they just don't belong in.

That said I'm also of the understanding that it's their HOME. Where for any worker its simply a job site. When it's your money, and the work is being done where you live and plan to live...it's emotional (especially for women).

Perhaps stating in the contract that you'll spend the last 10 minutes of your day going over the changes you've made and answering questions but under no conditions will they be allowed to be "actively involved" or within the work area. Cite safety and put in potential additional charges or allowing you out of the contract if you feel it threatens yourself, crew, or the job.

As much as humans hate restrictions, everyone can compromise on boundaries.

[–] • 0 pt

I’m with you, and I do remind myself and my guys that these are people homes. I do think they have a right to be picky. I think for someone to truly understand what I’m talking about they have to be on some of these jobs and see how completely ridiculous a lot of these people are becoming.

[–] [deleted] • 3 pts

Yep every single worker except one lied to us and didn't finish the job. You have to monitor them every damn day. Had them argue with me? Don't fucking go there. Paid $$$$$ of money to complete assholes. Sorry the sting is fresh. We are finishing with the one guy that wasn't an asshole. We went through 4 fucking crews. So yeah.

[–] • 0 pt

Re-write the contract to have a set end date (usually 2 weeks after their estimation) and IN the contract you have to state that if the job isn't finished that you're not responsible for any further payments and if the job needs to be redone that they will pay back the cost for their work to be undone.

You'd be surprised at how their estimations, costs, and expectations (verbally) change from their sales pitches.

[–] • 1 pt

This. Fucking this.

Especially with the spics that get sent out...even though you may have signed a contract with a white guy who spends time telling you about HIS experience in the field...but doesn't show up until its to collect the check.

I made that mistake about 15 years ago and every time I've had to hire someone new (I have a regular plumber & electrician) I end up rewriting their contract to state that they will be on-site anytime a crew is there to do work. It pisses them off , but if they want the contract, its become a non-negotiable deal.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

Yeah, I've had a few fuck-ups because the guys were left alone to do whatever the fuck they wanted.

[–] • 0 pt (edited )

I think subcontractors are less likely to do a shitty job when the client shows they have even a little bit of knowledge about the job. Maybe they'll feel less tempted to cut corners.

Most of the hired hands are low IQ retards, though. Can't do much about that other than hope that the contractor and subcontractors are decent people who hire good workers.

[+] [deleted] • 0 pt
[–] • 8 pts

Having had to remodel houses that were subject to these same types, I can’t count the number of “ACCENT WALLS” painted a horrible color…. Like kidney red. Or dark gloss blue.

The answer is to say “yes ma’am, but I quote the job in the manner I would do it, if you change that and add hours I will have to charge for my extra hours”.

[–] • 4 pts

ACCENT WALLS

OPEN CONCEPT

[–] • 2 pts (edited )

Yeah, but a contract and people sticking to it, and you yourself trying to stick to it and not just do what the customer wants (to an extent) to keep the peace and get paid and get out of there, are two different things.

Sometimes you can just 'smell' some people and you should avoid them, but again, doing that when you're hungry and have five kids to feed and bills to pay and you need work, that's two different things as well.

We have a way of telling ourselves (confirmation bias) that this time will be different, but then, aaaarrrrrgh not again, and then once again, it was not worth doing at all, you can sit home and do nothing and go broke if you want.

[–] • 1 pt

I'm gonna remember this, thanks.

[–] [deleted] • 6 pts

Sounds like you gotta manage their expectations ahead of time. If you think they'll be one of those clients explain to them that things will look messy while construction is in progress and the final product will look different than when construction is going on. That there is a certain order that things have to be done in. If there is a contract that they sign, consider adding those clauses in there (AINAL). And when they start doing the thing you described, remind them of 'the talk' that you gave them before you started. It should help.

[–] • 4 pts

If that doesnt work, I think choking the fuck out of them may be a solution as well.

I dont do construction, per se; but i do remodelling of boat interiors and exterior painting and glass work. I have my own business and have been thinking more and more of moving into complete restoration jobs (as in, buying a boat that needs work, fixing up and selling, instead of a 'hey, call me and ill fix your boat' guy) The customer is the worst part of every job. Well, not every job, but moreso lately. Cocky cunts that know better than I. I think it stemmed from retards having extra cash and thinking they rule the world now.

[–] • 3 pts

I think in your situation you nailed it. There is a plague right now of people who didn't have a lot and now have a ton of money that they didn't work for. Especially boomers with retirement funds saw their $1M of retirement (or whatever) turn into $3.5M, saw their $400k house turn into a $1.5M house, etc since the early 2000s. Now they are retiring and have a boat load (i had to sorry) of dollars and they want people to be their servants. They should be buying land and other hard assets, but they aren't, they are remodeling and buying high dollar items.

You and i will see this end spectacularly, and is going to be really bad, but we will still be working age and skilled, while they will be elderly and worthless. If nothing happens from all the other stuff going on, at the very least they will die, and their kids will liquidate the stocks cause a huge decline. I think it is more likely that something else will happen first, but that is a hard clock that is set.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

I think it's absolutely ridiculous that you're hating on boomers. Not every one is Scrooge McDuck. It's a huge generation of people that, believe it or not, built up the country you're in. They're certainly not as spoiled as millenials who REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE for George Floyd.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

Step off your boomer hate. You sound like a child. 99% of "boomers" slaved their asses off to not burden their kids with taking care of them financially. What are you 20? 30? 40? Which fucked up gen are you? dipshit

[–] • 1 pt

You're right but it is much easier said than done, when you're trying to keep a good reputation and avoid bad reviews. But you are indeed correct.

[–] • 2 pts (edited )

Then there are guys that installed a toilet crooked and window offset and tried to tell my wife that the level needs to have the bubble on the side (not center) to be right. And then there was the crew that decided my main roof support beam didn't really need to be a 14x8x30 per approved blueprints, poorly sistering quite a few 2x4 scraps laying around was good enough for this well known and very large company.

That last one was when I started watching builders closely.

[–] • 2 pts

This sounds like my entire life but I'm a graphic designer. I had always made this joke about clients doing things like this. I would say fortunately we're not involved in the construction business because our clients would insist we built their house upside down and inside out. Then when the house collapses on them, they'll stand around and blame the us for it.

To me this has a lot to do with the feminization of men and women trying to step into man's role. Both women and feminized men, are the only people watching HGTV first off, but they lack rationality and a systematic understanding of how the world works. Therefore they lack the ability to build things. They watch HGTV or they dabbled in photoshop before and that makes them an expert, yet they can show you nothing that they've created to prove as much. You don't go to a restaurant and tell the chef how to cook. I feel your pain brother.

[–] • 2 pts

These people should hire an architect or interior designer, and then that person communicates to you.

Either way, I hate modern homes. I hate (((modern design))). Go back to the 1930s and it looks better. Actually go back to old European designs.

[–] • 0 pt

(((modern design))) is the realm of hipster faggots. I agree on oldschool European stuff being awesome.

[–] • 2 pts

My cousin does construction and his foreman thought they were on Home Makeover. They were building a house and after the framing and drywall was done he said we have 24 hours to do this for triple pay. Some of the workers were passed out after about 16 hours and a few were drunk and/or high by 20 hours. He got most of the plumbing and electrical done but it was rushed and poorly finished. Then a roofer fell off the top of the house after 22 hours or so and the house went incompleted. There was a big snowfall and ironically since the roof wasn't complete, the breaker panel was under the unroofed spot and short circuited. The toilets and sinks were leaking too.

He quit the next morning and never received triple pay for his 24 hours of work.

[–] • 2 pts

Anyone agreeing to this kind of stupidity deserves the worst that may happen

[–] • 1 pt

I know the feeling, well sort of, I did a 'form' of construction for decades. Before these home remodel shows.

Never do a remodel for an engineer or a Pakistani.

Do you have trouble collecting, this is the worst part of this business, was, for me.

[–] • 1 pt

Your describing narcissists. That's how they operate.

The screen time breeds narcissism in people.

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