new garage $2 1/4 million

Mitchell, a moderator replied to your other thread - your Rossa subscription has expired, that's why you can't see the thread in Rossa. You're not blocked, but you need to renew your Rossa subscription!

Cheers,
Gordon

 

What a mess. I'm building a home right now and went thru similar situations until I fired my contractor. Good luck to you man, Would love to see progress photos.

 

Pictures please!

 

Wonderful! Is the blue "L" shaped area in the Architect 3 D drawing the pool?

 

Who the hell is the contracted GC down there? Sheesh, my Platoon of Army Engineers could knock this project out, and I bet for a 1/4 of the cost. I say you fire the whole team and start completely new in the spring, bring in a new Contractor and get guarantee's, this isn't rocket science.

 

I was a GC in Texas for many years, Ive built projects from custom homes to large restaurants, lube stations and other commercial projects.

There are always two sides to each story and I cant tell you how many huge money making jobs I simply declined due to owners that have a grand idea in their mind but not the willingness to step back and let the process take its course without changing things, adding things and micro managing the job.

With some contracts I built in a 5k change order agreement, if ANYTHING was changed from the original plan they paid me 5k just to sit and listen to it, not counting the additional cost to make the changes. I usually pocketed 15k per job in these changes.

I am not accusing our friend Mitchell of these things, but I have read a lot about this project and it seems changes are happening at every turn, maybe the fault of the contractors? I dont know, but this is in no way a 2+ million project in my humble opinion.

I wish I had the time and energy, I would send Mitchell on a 5 month vacation to the beach and have this wrapped up when he got back

but alas, life is calling.

 

Having now (tried to) work with a few here in CA, I am 100% convinced the contractors license board exam goes something like this;

Q1 - Are you a flake? Yes? Proceed to Q2.
Q2 - Can you *promise* to be "back by 8am tomorrow" and them disappear for a week? Yes? Proceed to question 3.
Q3 - How much "extra" do you you expect to rape your customers for before the job is almost (but not quite) finished;

+20% - Poor, you should know better.
+30% - Getting closer to standard.
+40% - Now we're talking! You can pick up your license in the bar later.

And I'm only being very slightly cynical here.......

Cheers,
Ian

 

LOl thats pretty funny, but pretty sad just the same.. I think ethics in all ways of life are a thing of the past unfortunately.

 

Fair comments.

See my often posted pic below.....

I've done jobs with tens of pages of architect drawings that quite simply didn't "add up". At least without a couple of "sky hooks" & infinitely small drainage lines!

I dunno, but it seems to me that at least around here GC's are held in about as high regards as whale ****; You gotta have one for the permitting process, they know it, & don't just expect the client to bend over at every turn (change) but indeed *expect* every job to run ~25-50% over budget, no matter what was agreed.

/Rant.

I understand it's a two way street, and I'm not a big fan of architects (and "engineers"), but, with all due respect, there's a reason (many) GC's don't garner much respect and/or trust.

Cheers,
Ian
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Follow up thread will be about a 6.5 million dollar garage as the bids roll in .

 

+1

But that's a whole other debate!.......

I've absolutely no problem with the good ol' fashioned "fair days pay for a fair days work". In fact, the local roofing guys just finished a great job for me - More or less on time & on budget! Seems subs are OK, it's the general that screws it up.

But, it just seems to me that (many) GC's want to load the scales, heavily, in their favor and take advantage of folks who thought they knew what they were getting in to.

My last guy simply abandoned the job. Fixed price, but I'm reasonable with unexpected issues. He'd already way overspent the *agreed* quote - Like I'd signed up for a time & materials contract after very much specifying the job ahead of time. [Little example; 220V to laundry room & kitchen. Simply didn't happen.]

Cheers,
Ian

 

First of all a budget figure is not a bid.

If the GC budgeted the glass at 112K based on the 1st glass companies ballpark estimate, then the project changed, well the cost of the glass is going to change.

No offence meant, but reading through your posts it seems that you have "problems" with everyone who does work for you whether it is car work or contracting.

I have a feeling that you are getting well known for this in your area too.

That may be why no one will call you back, they don't want to be another "problem" for you.

I was a GC for a long time in the south with a sterling reputation. There were some customers I could not and would not work for, no matter how we structured the contract.

I know you have had health problems too and that makes this type of project difficult for everyone too.

Good luck with your project, I sincerely hope it all works out for you.
Alden

 

+1

However, I can't help thinking I'd be pissed if the "budget figure" was roughly 1/4 the actual!

Agreed. The cost is going to change, but by a magnitude of three x!?

Cheers,
Ian

 

Don't give up, M! Keep rolling with the punches. It'll be worth it in the end!