The Great Chasm between Young and Old - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #61 09-15-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

To me there are two aspects of contracting-#1 is the trade part of it , and #2 is the business end. In my time I have met many who were good at one or the other, but only maybe ten who could put them both together. I'll never understand what is so difficult about doing what you promised, or calling if you can't make a scheduled appointment. I will call someone if I think I'm going to be 10 minutes late, and they really seem to appreciate it. It's almost that simple- just think; how would I want to be treated if I were the customer? Then treat them that way, or if you can't, be honest about it and pass on the job.

Tell me about it, most people have a hard enough time following through on what they say they are going to do.

I'm learning from my uncle, he is a master of both sides.

10fords · #62 09-16-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

With all due deference to all of you representing the Good side of this....

One of my best friends is a lawyer/former car salesman who works for the California State Contractors Licensing board in the SF bay area.

I visited him at home last week and he mentioned that since the state is so broke, the workload they have is absolutely crushing, and the while his supervisor said he is doing ok, even with forced furlough days and whatever, some very high up bureaucat in that system, is not pleased and wants "more results and better work" ( <------ you know, work SMARTER not harder kind of stuff" that government supervisors love to say) out of him.

They are being forced to try and do 5 days worth of work every 4 days, and that doesn't even count mandatory furlough days.

Guy can't wait to retire in 2-3 years.

But yeah, there is a "reason" the State agency exits. Unlicensed contractors abound and they REALLY screw people sometimes here in Cali.

Some of those "gypsies" for instance -- people that take $$$ to "Fix your driveway" and who and go pour motor oil over it, and then run away with the life savings of litle old ladies, sutff like that - it still happens, the war stories that could be told to you.....

Don't get me wrong- I'm not defending unlicensed contractors, as you can tell from my previous posts. However, the local building departments want you to get a permit for ridiculous things. For instance; if I go on a service call for someones kitchen lights not working, and it turns out to be a bad switch, I'm supposed to get a permit to replace the switch! That takes a simple $85 service call and makes it a $500 ordeal with permit fees and my time to deal with the process!

As far as a state employee having to do 5 days work in 4 days I'm not sure I have any sympathy for them-I've been doing that for years!

I have heard countless horror stories of people being burned by unlicensed contractors and there seems to be a common theme; they were all thinking they were saving money by not paying for a licensed contractor. I'm all for the CSLB busting unlicensed contractors, and unscrupulous licensed ones. I wish more people would follow through with prosecuting them instead of just letting them go.

Brian Carlton · #63 09-16-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jt20

...or they make the same mistakes for 22 years and take on the same jobs until they can't make a fist anymore.

The ones who haven't done anything* to further their weakness, be it the business or the talent, are the ones more likely, in my mind, to shift their weight onto some crutch: "...well, I've been doin' this for 20 some odd years now..."

I agree completely.

Many of them have an attitude that they are the best thing since the invention of a Skilsaw and nobody can ever tell them how to run a business or repair a door jamb.

The problem with these fools is that they are their own worst enemies and they do not realize that they have virtually no formal training, don't have even rudimentary knowledge of the task, and rely on a skillset developed over many years without supervision.

The requirement for a "license" is virtually meaningless. There is nothing that certifies these individuals as anything close to qualified for the job.

Want a good laugh? Ask four of them how to properly prevent water intrusion on a double hung window. You'll get four different answers and none of them will be completely correct. If you want to truly prevent intrusion in a driving rain, the flashing is a complicated weave of overlapping material............and none of them know exactly how to do it.

The entire business of "contracting" is a complete and total disaster. These fools get away with anything they wish.........and the homeowner is completely oblivious to whether the job is completely correct or just barely passable.

daveuz · #64 09-16-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I agree completely.

Many of them have an attitude that they are the best thing since the invention of a Skilsaw and nobody can ever tell them how to run a business or repair a door jamb.

The problem with these fools is that they are their own worst enemies and they do not realize that they have virtually no formal training, don't have even rudimentary knowledge of the task, and rely on a skillset developed over many years without supervision.

The requirement for a "license" is virtually meaningless. There is nothing that certifies these individuals as anything close to qualified for the job.

Want a good laugh? Ask four of them how to properly prevent water intrusion on a double hung window. You'll get four different answers and none of them will be completely correct. If you want to truly prevent intrusion in a driving rain, the flashing is a complicated weave of overlapping material............and none of them know exactly how to do it.

The entire business of "contracting" is a complete and total disaster. These fools get away with anything they wish.........and the homeowner is completely oblivious to whether the job is completely correct or just barely passable.

To say nothing of chimney flashing. I guess 3 inch thick tar halfway up works but.... Than you have the building/designer who incorporates every style that they have ever seen in one home. Pillars that are too small , overhangs too large , windows that are too small or shaped like an octagon next to rectangle ones. What in the world is this vinyl wood siding?? I once saw a modular home being transported on a truck with its vinyl "log" siding just waving in the wind. I thought maybe Monty Python was filming. (I pre-apologize if any of you guys have this)

Brian Carlton · #65 09-16-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveuz

To say nothing of chimney flashing. I guess 3 inch thick tar halfway up works but....

A properly flashed chimney done with copper is a sight to behold. Of course, it needs to be done during the erection of said chimney.

I've repaired my flat roof at least three times now...........replacing the plywood at the edges..........due to the incompetence done on the original job. One of these days, I'll do a proper torchdown roof on it........and be done with the ongoing patchwork.