Time is money (yeah right)

[AndyG]

As a contractor I hear that a lot. It has a ring to it, like it is almost true, and somehow justifies being in a rush to make a dime. Time is money just sounds like a fact.

Well, it is hogwash.

Time is what life is made of. Money can’t touch it.

Can money buy time?

If you stand out in the rain 20 years will you get a million bucks?

No. There is little correlation. The best thing you can do with time is respect it, save it where you can, enjoy it - and use it wisely. Just like money.

This is all to tell a story. And I know it is easy to criticize, and easy to see from the outside looking in what someone could do better- but this amazed me, and sort of broke my heart because it was done in the name of “hard work” because “ time is money.”

8:45 pm , Home Depot- a young framing contractor leaves his home, drives to the store, and hand pulled in the store, loaded on carts and purchased a substantial house framing package, paid for it and then hand loaded every piece on his trailer.

We made small talk. I commended him for shopping ahead for the next days work. Working ahead is a huge advantage. Beyond that I stay out of peoples’ business.

He proudly told me he was headed to the job to stage it for his guys so tomorrow they were more productive. He commented how he was compared to his dad (who was no longer able to do it ) and how “time was money” to him and he just grinned ear to ear. He said he could do this while his family slept and mentioned how it kept him ahead.

It was the stupidest thing I’d seen a business person do lately, and I’m pretty stupid myself . Had it been extenuating circumstances, like a missed delivery or last minute change, I could have understood- but this was his norm. Why was this so bad?

The entire package could have been delivered, most likely for free, in about 20 minutes. The driver could have simply been handed a check or the order paid for by phone.

He might have saved his field crew 25 minutes, but in the process of sorting it by length they would have known what material was rafters, joists, etc and reduced waste and error- and he could have also stayed after the delivery and done that in one hour and went home.

Even if it was delivered wrong by a supplier it would have been so much faster that they had time for several tries. So that rules out doing it for accuracy.

But work 4-5 hours hard, alone, in the dark, miss your kids bedtime and come in the next day worn out is just pitiful- to do less than an hours work.

So what is the moral?

One, question truisms. Our world is full of them - love hurts, money can’t buy happiness, money is the root of all evil, and on and on-

Another thing this brings to mind is don’t be afraid to be radical- I’m fairly ruthless with my time- not rude, not rushed- I’m ruthless so I don’t have to be.

Anything that can be delivered is, even lunch.

I don’t answer my phone- at all except for close friends or conversations that require skill, emotion or tact.

I don’t use voice mail- my message directs people to my assistant or to text me. Took a while to get brave enough- also grew my company about 20 times in size since- with less headaches and better service.

I don’t go in the bank- they don’t pay me.

-avoid people that can’t shut up or have nothing to say when you need to get your work done. I have one worker I deliberately avoid - talkers slow themselves down and the listener too.

-only do meetings that get me work or get us paid generally- we are installing a clients cabinets - government worker. He got excited - “shall we meet? “ he texted. I asked why. His response- “to review”. I nearly had a seizure. He somehow thought meetings were work. The cabinets were already built.

To wrap up, no, I do not think I have it all figured out, the world by the tail or all the answers- I have tried to be that guy but at my best I’m just a guy trying to make it-

But this I know - you can make it out here, you can win. You can succeed. Just be careful who you listen to and develop the habit of stepping back and questioning what and how you are doing things- you can work terribly hard, never get ahead and never have much to show for it , or time to enjoy it if you don’t use your head.

Please tell me some things you guys have seen and learned that have helped you along the way-

Thanks
AndyG

 

[Mike_H]

I'm pretty ruthless with my time...It drives me nuts when I have guys show up at my office door just to "chat." Especially when I'm in the middle of something. Most of the time, I keep working and give them a cursory acknowledgment of their presence...Most people get the hint quickly enough. I don't take sales calls or random drop-ins from salesmen.

I always tell them, politely, that I'm not looking for your services. When I am, I'll do some research and reach out. THEN you can come and talk to me. Just because you did a web search and found out that my company is a machine shop, doesn't mean you get to drop by and talk to me about your new coolant, oil, insert, coating, ball screw bearing or whatever the hell else you're trying to sell. I get it, you're hustlin, trying to make a buck too, but dang it...I'm busy and I don't have time for you unless I need you. I had to train our front desk person when I started that I don't take salemen without appointments. She would just let them through and page me. I had one coolant salesman push his way through the door because, "he knew the guys and they were doing a test." I caught him in the hallway and turned his ass around. That kind of stuff is such Bull. Drives me insane.

I also have a tendency to catch people doing stuff that is just dumb. Our HR generalist was spooning sour cream left over from a whole shop lunch into plastic baggies so we didn't "waste" it. Yeah...She didn't want to throw away a 10 dollar tub of sour creams, so she spent a few bucks on ziplocks and who knows how much of her time (way more than 10 bucks an hour) to not "waste" it. Infuriating.

I've been having conversations with the Owner of the Company lately. We own a one ton Duramax with all the bells and whistles for one of our company vehicles. Its older, and has 250,000 miles on it. Its still in good shape, its paid for, but its getting a bit long in the tooth. So, he's talking about selling it and replacing it...with another 70,000 dollar truck! I asked him why? We don't haul anything anymore...most of our suppliers deliver and pick up. The ones that don't don't require a one ton pickup to haul their stuff. We need the cargo room but not the weight capability. So, something like a $25,000 transit connect would be FAR less expensive for the company to own...

A lot of your ideas are good time management. Training people to think like you do will take that to the next level.

 

[rancholago]

Interesting phrase, Time is money
Over the years, I have heard it and even used it, but as far as I can remember in the context of wasting time with some one wanting to, visit with me, sell me something, or just hanging around wasting my time.
Many many years ago, when I was an apprentice, I was working with a Journeyman Plumber, who I greatly respected, told me spend your money, its time you want to save.

 

[AndyG]

I'm pretty ruthless with my time...It drives me nuts when I have guys show up at my office door just to "chat." Especially when I'm in the middle of something. Most of the time, I keep working and give them a cursory acknowledgment of their presence...Most people get the hint quickly enough. I don't take sales calls or random drop-ins from salesmen.

I always tell them, politely, that I'm not looking for your services. When I am, I'll do some research and reach out. THEN you can come and talk to me. Just because you did a web search and found out that my company is a machine shop, doesn't mean you get to drop by and talk to me about your new coolant, oil, insert, coating, ball screw bearing or whatever the hell else you're trying to sell. I get it, you're hustlin, trying to make a buck too, but dang it...I'm busy and I don't have time for you unless I need you. I had to train our front desk person when I started that I don't take salemen without appointments. She would just let them through and page me. I had one coolant salesman push his way through the door because, "he knew the guys and they were doing a test." I caught him in the hallway and turned his ass around. That kind of stuff is such Bull. Drives me insane.

I also have a tendency to catch people doing stuff that is just dumb. Our HR generalist was spooning sour cream left over from a whole shop lunch into plastic baggies so we didn't "waste" it. Yeah...She didn't want to throw away a 10 dollar tub of sour creams, so she spent a few bucks on ziplocks and who knows how much of her time (way more than 10 bucks an hour) to not "waste" it. Infuriating.

I've been having conversations with the Owner of the Company lately. We own a one ton Duramax with all the bells and whistles for one of our company vehicles. Its older, and has 250,000 miles on it. Its still in good shape, its paid for, but its getting a bit long in the tooth. So, he's talking about selling it and replacing it...with another 70,000 dollar truck! I asked him why? We don't haul anything anymore...most of our suppliers deliver and pick up. The ones that don't don't require a one ton pickup to haul their stuff. We need the cargo room but not the weight capability. So, something like a $25,000 transit connect would be FAR less expensive for the company to own...

A lot of your ideas are good time management. Training people to think like you do will take that to the next level.

Pure awesome.

I had a guy voluntarily cleaning buckets - took 30 minutes- at $15 plus an hour. A bucket was a buck- chunk it man. Not to mention the lost time not doing what mattered. That is where it gets serious.

Awesome post.

 

[WallyWest]

Years ago had an office job, IT support, that included a lot of pointless wastes of time, aka meetings. We sat around a huge desk and talked endlessly about what we were going to do. Instead of, you know, DOING IT!

It's one thing for upper management, who don't do anything anyway, but why was I there? It made the rest of my day that much more rushed.

So I printed out one of those demotivation posters and stuck it to the wall in my office. It had a bunch of suits sitting in a conference room and was captioned "Meetings: The practical alternative to work". That didn't go over well, lol.

 

[Mike_H]

Pure awesome.

I had a guy voluntarily cleaning buckets - took 30 minutes- at $15 plus an hour. A bucket was a buck- chunk it man. Not to mention the lost time not doing what mattered. That is where it gets serious.

Awesome post.

The phrase does have meaning though...Time IS money. You just need to constantly refine how you make the trade. You spend money to save time. If you're not saving time by spending the money, than its a poor use of the money. The rub is that not everyone sees "money" the same. They don't understand that if I'm paying you to do a job, the time you spend is equal to the money I pay you. If you're not doing "value added" things, then I'm not getting my money's worth.

The poor guy in your example above, probably the owner of the company. He's foolishly trying to save a buck, either on delivery or by picking the "good stuff" off the pile instead of letting the employees pick, because his guys will waste less time sorting. He's not paying himself enough, because he thinks that hustling at 8 PM is worth it.

If I leave my employees with ONE thing...its that I hope they understand value added time. Its something we talk about constantly in my shop. What do our customer's pay us for? Do they pay us for you to set up a machine or do they pay us to transform a raw piece of material into what they want? They only pay for the cuts...Spindles turning and making chips (or grinding dust). If you have "inside time" and an open machine...Go look for the next job you're going to see and get started on the set-up. You don't have to wait for the whole job to move...and you sure as hell don't have to watch a machine run. Get a broom, get a bottle of windex and some paper towel. Organize your area, etc.

 

[Zorba]

Had an interesting chat with the contractor that is (slowly) building our addition. A shit ton of scrap is being generated, much of it quite usable. He told me I could keep it with his compliments. He doesn't want to fool with it because he has to pay somebody to pick it up, bring it to the yard, sort it, and store it. Then it will just get dirty and/or deteriorate over time - and if you take some of it to a job site because it "might fit", it'll more likely than not be a BCH too short to start with, and you've thrown all this money at it dealing with it in the first place!

With that said, I sure do wish contractors were more reliable and timely. This 60 day project is now at twice that, and there just never seems to be any hurry.

 

[AndyG]

The phrase does have meaning though...Time IS money. You just need to constantly refine how you make the trade. You spend money to save time. If you're not saving time by spending the money, than its a poor use of the money. The rub is that not everyone sees "money" the same. They don't understand that if I'm paying you to do a job, the time you spend is equal to the money I pay you. If you're not doing "value added" things, then I'm not getting my money's worth.

The poor guy in your example above, probably the owner of the company. He's foolishly trying to save a buck, either on delivery or by picking the "good stuff" off the pile instead of letting the employees pick, because his guys will waste less time sorting. He's not paying himself enough, because he thinks that hustling at 8 PM is worth it.

If I leave my employees with ONE thing...its that I hope they understand value added time. Its something we talk about constantly in my shop. What do our customer's pay us for? Do they pay us for you to set up a machine or do they pay us to transform a raw piece of material into what they want? They only pay for the cuts...Spindles turning and making chips (or grinding dust). If you have "inside time" and an open machine...Go look for the next job you're going to see and get started on the set-up. You don't have to wait for the whole job to move...and you sure as hell don't have to watch a machine run. Get a broom, get a bottle of windex and some paper towel. Organize your area, etc.

Man you are absolutely all over it-

In one sense of time is a precious commodity and we need to get value for what we give -

Working ahead is huge-

I tell guys , clean it, if it doesnt move , vacuum it or paint it.

In remodeling every day a worker should have everything lined up at the end of the day to do what he’s going to do the next day- He needs to have every piece of material he needs and he needs to have all the nails out of the way and go ahead and check the surfaces that he’s going to be working on for flatness or plumb or level or whatever is critical- Every one of my guys send me pictures they have to let me know how far along they are- They are never run out of basic supplies and keep their nail and fastener inventory up-

They better not text me at 10o’clock and tell me that they need something that they usually could’ve predicted the day before-

And what all of this really boils down to is that I’m looking for mental engagement from the guys-I don’t have to have perfection and nobody has to be Superman. What I want to be is ahead of the game enough that when equipment breaks or we run into something or somebody gets sick or the kids have to be rushed to the dentist that things don’t fall apart- Basically you have to counteract Murphy’s Law.

The business owner that gets out and thinks everything is going to go perfect and only works to that extent is fixing to get a big surprise.

In addition to just the good old positive aspect of staying busy cleaning and organizing work areas communicates a great message to the client in our business and it makes the worker safer and more efficient- Plus once you clear the clutter you can better see the task at hand.

Also there is just a nagging feeling that when someone is unkempt and sloppy that they’re going to produce some of that in the work they do. That is generally true.

I love your posts thank you for putting that on here - it fires me up.

 

[AndyG]

Had an interesting chat with the contractor that is (slowly) building our addition. A shit ton of scrap is being generated, much of it quite usable. He told me I could keep it with his compliments. He doesn't want to fool with it because he has to pay somebody to pick it up, bring it to the yard, sort it, and store it. Then it will just get dirty and/or deteriorate over time - and if you take some of it to a job site because it "might fit", it'll more likely than not be a BCH too short to start with, and you've thrown all this money at it dealing with it in the first place!

With that said, I sure do wish contractors were more reliable and timely. This 60 day project is now at twice that, and there just never seems to be any hurry.

On generated waste and Time there are 3 things contractors need to do

1. They need to reuse everything that they use all the time such as sheathing and carry the leftovers to the next job so they are less wasteful and more profitable as long as handling doesn’t offset the savings-A real winner will buy extra so that the workers never get to a standstill and then use it on the next job and they always keep an ongoing Surplus. At the same time I understand trying to wrangle a bunch of scraps is foolish.

2. They need to clean as they go and you know the minute that you drop something from the cut whether it’s a keeper or needs to be chunked .

3. They need to remember that the timeline that is occurring looks entirely different from the customer who standing there tapping their foot then it does to them when they get to go home every day at 3:30 or 4 o’clock And they don’t have to live in it. I will never make a case for rushing a job the contractors need to give a realistic timeline and factor in things that can happen and delays- And they need to be aggressive in a good way.

 

[Blackjack]

Interesting phrase, Time is money
Over the years, I have heard it and even used it, but as far as I can remember in the context of wasting time with some one wanting to, visit with me, sell me something, or just hanging around wasting my time.
Many many years ago, when I was an apprentice, I was working with a Journeyman Plumber, who I greatly respected, told me spend your money, its time you want to save.

Your are correct instead of time is money what is better is to ask what is your time worth? Once you start putting an actual value on your time you then begin to look at things differently. While you may be able to perform a certain task can you accomplish it in time frame that is reasonable compared to paying someone who specializes in that task.

 

[AndyG]

Your are correct instead of time is money what is better is to ask what is your time worth? Once you start putting an actual value on your time you then begin to look at things differently. While you may be able to perform a certain task can you accomplish it in time frame that is reasonable compared to paying someone who specializes in that task.

This comes around to this forum quite accurately -because sometimes there’s a little bit of rub when someone purchases their build versus does it with their own hands -and I understand all that’s going on behind it-But often you have some people that are good enough it’s something else that they don’t even want to know how to do that and can make enough money doing what they do know how to do to pay the other guy that has the skill set- It is a little bit weird for people to ridicule someone that purchases a build and then give them accolades when they let Blaine do it.

Not to mention the fact that even if they could do it to some extent they would never do it with the knowledge and experience that someone like him could do it- Of course all of that is a separate conversation but it really does bring to mind that we have to know where we Need to consider where to use our time and energy.

All of these posts are just really great guys - You know at every gathering there are a few people in the room that have good sense and know how to get along in this world connect - I like it when that happens here.

 

[Blackjack]

This comes around them to this forum quite accurately -because sometimes there’s a little bit of rub when someone purchases their build versus does it with their own hands -and I understand all that’s going on behind it-But often you have some people that are good enough it’s something else that they don’t even want to know how to do that and can make enough money doing what they do know how to do to pay the other guy that has the skill set- It is a little bit weird for people to ridicule someone that purchases a build and then give them accolades when they let Blaine do it.

Built not bought another one to add to the list. Not everyone has the time or desire to do their own work so where does that leave you. Either you buy something already built or you commission someone like Blaine to do it for you. Not sure how either of those are wrong as long as you are getting what you want. While I enjoy being in the shop wrenching as much as being on the trail that certainly does not go for everyone.

The same goes for parts too. Years ago I was getting shit flipped at me because I had bolted on Warn bumpers instead of making my own. Those same people completely missed that I had built my own lower control arms (I know who does that right) so we have to remind ourselves that unless we are seeking someones opinion what others think is of little matter.

 

[AndyG]

Built not bought another one to add to the list. Not everyone has the time or desire to do their own work so where does that leave you. Either you buy something already built or you commission someone like Blaine to do it for you. Not sure how either of those are wrong as long as you are getting what you want. While I enjoy being in the shop wrenching as much as being on the trail that certainly does not go for everyone.

The same goes for parts too. Years ago I was getting shit flipped at me because I had bolted on Warn bumpers instead of making my own. Those same people completely missed that I had built my own lower control arms (I know who does that right) so we have to remind ourselves that unless we are seeking someones opinion what others think is of little matter.

Awesome-

Have you guys seen the guy that painted his control arms to make them look like schedule 40 PVC pipe...It is hysterical

 

[Zorba]

3. They need to remember that the timeline that is occurring looks entirely different from the customer who standing there tapping their foot then it does to them when they get to go home every day at 3:30 or 4 o’clock And they don’t have to live in it. I will never make a case for rushing a job the contractors need to give a realistic timeline and factor in things that can happen and delays- And they need to be aggressive in a good way.

Particularly annoying is standing around tapping my foot waiting for something to arrive that should have been ordered early enough to fucking be here. This job has had nothing but delays - but to be fair, I honestly don't know where the line between lack of planning on the contractors part vs "shit happens" actually lies, so I'm trying to be patient. The local building department apparently threw a couple of monkey wrenches into the works by changing procedures "all of a sudden".

In his defense, he *did* find out that there was going to be a 10% cost increase Monday morning (tomorrow) on the screen room materials - so he got the screen room sub to get it ordered on Friday before it went up. Which I though had already happened two weeks ago...

Worst of all is comms. Contractors have an annoying tendency to suddenly pull out of a job without telling the customer what the fuck is going on. Sometimes they're overbooked and are two timing you with another job - that PISSES ME OFF! Please don't start this job until you have time to finish it. I don't think that has happened on this job, but the guy is NOT proactive in communications...

 

[AndyG]

Particularly annoying is standing around tapping my foot waiting for something to arrive that should have been ordered early enough to fucking be here. This job has had nothing but delays - but to be fair, I honestly don't know where the line between lack of planning on the contractors part vs "shit happens" actually lies, so I'm trying to be patient. The local building department apparently threw a couple of monkey wrenches into the works by changing procedures "all of a sudden".

In his defense, he *did* find out that there was going to be a 10% cost increase Monday morning (tomorrow) on the screen room materials - so he got the screen room sub to get it ordered on Friday before it went up. Which I though had already happened two weeks ago...

Worst of all is comms. Contractors have an annoying tendency to suddenly pull out of a job without telling the customer what the fuck is going on. Sometimes they're overbooked and are two timing you with another job - that PISSES ME OFF! Please don't start this job until you have time to finish it. I don't think that has happened on this job, but the guy is NOT proactive in communications...

There are a number of dynamics behind all of that

Right out of the gate it is extremely important to purchase a head due to the current competition for materials and Some of the factory delays that are still occurring- contractors need to on their game on this -

Sometimes it’s hard to do that when you can’t predict some sizing and it’s expensive material, but you better be thinking ahead - And right now you have to be thinking about when you can get it and what to do if you can’t as a contractor-

You are very correct that it’s hard to discern the difference between poor planning and availability issues and the inevitable freaky stuff that goes on- But basically if the job is not running predominantly smooth that tells you that things are not optimal -but it does not mean they’re hopeless. Sometimes it’s good to stop and look where the stage of work is and what it’s going to be needed and just get a framework for what it’s going to take to finish.

Building inspection departments are notoriously difficult and some of the southern states including mine are currently working under a new generation of building codes and it is pretty frustrating- Plus there is the ultimate building code rule that is printed in the front of the book- If the inspector deems it necessary to require things to be done a certain way for that situation then his field ruling will stand.

On the other side of the coin building codes are very important when you look at the things that they do when a great deal of work is being done within an area - the municipalities actually carry some responsibility should there be problems with the job later and believe me I have seen that firsthand- There is a situation in our town that the citiys’ insurance company is going to have to pay because the inspector passed something that is in no way compatible with good practices or code.

Building codes go back to ancient civilization (the Code of Hammurabi is a good example) and they do things like make sure that wires are at certain depths so that when you hang a picture you don’t burn your house down.

Leaving all that behind us the one thing the contractor can absolutely control is the integrity and frequency of communication - We update nearly every customer daily depending on the length that the current phase of work involves so that they know where they are and what is going to happen next and why things may not happen for instance if we are waiting on an inspection - Any conversations about cost changes our ongoing and carefully documented.

Just as we are sitting right here communicating with strangers very effectively there is no reason the contractor can’t use the same device to keep his customer in the loop constantly

It benefits the contractor immensely because it relaxes people and it also prevents the contractors from having to respond to questions at inopportune times rather than being In thes driver seat.

It takes nothing more than a cell phone and a willingness to do it. I used to think that I was pretty good at that until I watched a tutorial video by an extremely successful contractor- I immediately ramped it up and it has dramatically reduced the load on my phone- Both during peak hours and off hours.

The customer needs to know you’ve got this. It also will help you get paid.

- a clean job - Customers don’t know what a good job he is but they know what a clean job is- Also when people see something really sloppy it just subconsciously makes them doubt the integrity of the work. A clean job makes it easier for the contractor to see what he needs to do and what he has to work with also.


- consistent progress


- ongoing status updates

Just these 3 things can Make the difference if Contractor makes it or if he doesn’t.

There is more to it but this will grease the wheels.

 

[Zorba]

Leaving all that behind us the one thing the contractor can absolutely control is the integrity and frequency of communication - We update nearly every customer daily depending on the length that the current phase of work involves so that they know where they are and what is going to happen next and why things may not happen for instance if we are waiting on an inspection - Any conversations about cost changes our ongoing and carefully documented

Just as we are sitting right here communicating with strangers very effectively there is no reason the contractor can’t use the same device to keep his customer in the loop constantly

It benefits the contractor immensely because it relaxes people and it also prevents the contractors from having to respond to questions at inopportune times rather than being In the driver seat.

It takes nothing more than a cell phone and a willingness to do it.

I generally have to ask "what's next?" - this guy is NOT proactive with comms. His responses are generally OK, but he seldom gives more info that what was asked, and sometimes less than that. Here is the latest message from him:

"Stucco next week. He promised Wednesday at the latest.

We have called in for the rough inspection of the framing and exterior windows/doors. That happens Tuesday. After that we can insulate the walls and put up furring strips.

Once that is done we will remove the wall and do the electrical. "

I had also asked him about an interior door and the door knobs. No response on that. So I asked AGAIN. This time he answered about the door, but I still don't have an answer about the Goddamned knobs. Drives me nuts - just answer the questions!

 

[AndyG]

I generally have to ask "what's next?" - this guy is NOT proactive with comms. His responses are generally OK, but he seldom gives more info that what was asked, and sometimes less than that. Here is the latest message from him:

"Stucco next week. He promised Wednesday at the latest.

We have called in for the rough inspection of the framing and exterior windows/doors. That happens Tuesday. After that we can insulate the walls and put up furring strips.

Once that is done we will remove the wall and do the electrical. "

I had also asked him about an interior door and the door knobs. No response on that. So I asked AGAIN. This time he answered about the door, but I still don't have an answer about the Goddamned knobs. Drives me nuts - just answer the questions!

What happens is he is wrangling so many things that he can’t even see that far- I hiired an assistant That I turn over things like that too and I have a young college student who actually lives in Atlanta that keeps everything documented on our note taking apps- But you have to have the business scaled to be able to afford that at the same time I feel like the efficiency and fluid job changes enable me to afford it plus it allows me to handle more work with far less stress.

The hard part is getting from being a Carpenter or whatever to the point you can do that most contractors fail somewhere between 250,000 and 1.2 million $ in annual sales- Because they’re big enough to need to help but too small to afford it.

 

[Mike_H]

I generally have to ask "what's next?" - this guy is NOT proactive with comms. His responses are generally OK, but he seldom gives more info that what was asked, and sometimes less than that. Here is the latest message from him:

"Stucco next week. He promised Wednesday at the latest.

We have called in for the rough inspection of the framing and exterior windows/doors. That happens Tuesday. After that we can insulate the walls and put up furring strips.

Once that is done we will remove the wall and do the electrical. "

I had also asked him about an interior door and the door knobs. No response on that. So I asked AGAIN. This time he answered about the door, but I still don't have an answer about the Goddamned knobs. Drives me nuts - just answer the questions!

Man... The difference between your contractor experience and mine has been vast. We started about the same time, right? Beginning if October, IIRC. Granted, I didn't have any foundation work to deal with, but we've been enjoying the kitchen for a full month now. It's not 100 percent done, but it's 98 percent there.

It's wasn't all perfect. They didn't insulte the exterior wall where the old range vent was, so I found condensation in one of my cabinets. I had to take care of that myself, so the cabinet didn't rot away. The electricians kinda sucked, and the plumbers were not the best at installing trim panels when they were done, but for the most part it went well.

 

[AndyG]

Man... The difference between your contractor experience and mine has been vast. We started about the same time, right? Beginning if October, IIRC. Granted, I didn't have any foundation work to deal with, but we've been enjoying the kitchen for a full month now. It's not 100 percent done, but it's 98 percent there.

It's wasn't all perfect. They didn't insulte the exterior wall where the old range vent was, so I found condensation in one of my cabinets. I had to take care of that myself, so the cabinet didn't rot away. The electricians kinda sucked, and the plumbers were not the best at installing trim panels when they were done, but for the most part it went well.

I tracked Mikes job best I could- he is a realistic owner that contributed and things went , on average, far better than most jobs in our country.

Remodeling is challenging for everyone-

I’m changing clothes after church right now (that I missed diagnosing what happened ) to replace both my diesels’ batteries- I do not want to miss a beat tomorrow - my jobs are planned, materials loaded, workers informed, clients updated and I have a V8 jeep in the shop that really needs the TJ to LJ conversion genright just came out with- lets’ rock and roll.

 

[Blackjack]

What happens is he is wrangling so many things that he can’t even see that far- I hiired an assistant That I turn over things like that too and I have a young college student who actually lives in Atlanta that keeps everything documented on our note taking apps- But you have to have the business scaled to be able to afford that at the same time I feel like the efficiency and fluid job changes enable me to afford it plus it allows me to handle more work with far less stress.

The hard part is getting from being a Carpenter or whatever to the point you can do that most contractors fail somewhere between 250,000 and 1.2 million $ in annual sales- Because they’re big enough to need to help but too small to afford it.

This is a common problem with contractors here as the build season is so short and they bite off more than they can chew. Add to that the logistical challenges we always have here and they leave themselves on the bad side of managing expectations.