GC dirty tricks

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kmc

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After reading about working for friends and family, I think I might like to hear some stories about unscrupulous general contractors. I am just starting out in business and starting to work with a few gc's and wouldn't mind learning a lesson or two the "easy way".
 
I was doing a remodel at a bank for a GC that had been using us for a short while. The GC took a vacation durring the project and left a guy in charge. At the rough inspection, the inspector said that we had to bring everything above the grid to current code - but the GC's scope did not include doing anything to the drop ceiling or above it. The guy in charge said just fix it and send a bill. It came to just over $3000. GC gets back and says, "No change order - not paying".

Always get it in writing!

I ended up settling for about half the money. :mad:
 
Just remember to be properly licencensed and insured and write every work request down and have the customer or GC sign it. many head aches saved this way
 
READ THE CONTRACT.
If you don't agree with ANY provision within it, have it changed or don't sign it.

If the GC doesn't have a contract - PROVIDE YOUR OWN CONTRACT.
Have it written up so one-sided that you always win ;) , let him be the one to challange it.

KEEP A LOG.
Write eveything down that you do ...6 months down the road, you will forget you were even at 123 Main Street when you recieve a call to trim out.
Organization is the key. Keep everything pertaining to a job together - scan everything into your computer if you have to....reciepts, time in/out, changes/adds/moves/extras SIGNED, etc.
 
Too true the above two...

I gave MY(CEC) contract to a GC..he calls me a week later and it like:
GC ~ "...I've never seen a contract like like this..."
CEC ~ "...we've never dealt with each other before..."
GC ~ "...can we work on the payout schedule..."
CEC ~ "Sure, just as long as I get my percentages as detailed..."

We'll have to see how this works out - either he can play banker and finance the job, or the HO can....no way I am.

Two summers ago, I went to look at a job for some no-name GC. He promises me there more work....
"...but you have to work on that number a bit."
No I don't - See ya! LOL

Remember:
YOU'RE THE BOSS
 
I seldom do work for GCs but do a fair amount of work for electrical contractors (I seldom if ever have problems with ECs).

I was on a big job (200 electricians) and had to attend a meeting with the EC and GC, these guys went after each other like cats and dogs, it disgusted me. After the meeting (cusing, yelling, fighting and threating) they wanted to know if I would join them for lunch, I declined, I ate by myself and they went off to Ruby Tuesdays.

I prefer not to be part of that mix.
 
celtic said:
Two summers ago, I went to look at a job for some no-name GC. He promises me there more work....
"...but you have to work on that number a bit."
No I don't - See ya! LOL
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So true! Never alter your price on the promise of future work. Economies of scale are real, and discounts can be given noting that fact. However, that mass quanity of work must be real and just not promised. If I had a dollar for every promise jobs to come, I might retire on that alone. Lots of people have big plans that never hash out. Bid on the job at hand only.
 
brian john said:
I was on a big job (200 electricians) and had to attend a meeting with the EC and GC, these guys went after each other like cats and dogs, it disgusted me. After the meeting (cusing, yelling, fighting and threating) they wanted to know if I would join them for lunch, I declined, I ate by myself and they went off to Ruby.
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They're like professional wrestlers: off the mat, they're best buds.

Yeah, I get the "do this one cheap and there will be more" spiel a lot. I tell them that the "more" jobs get the discount. After all, if they're being honest, it would work in their favor in the long run, right?
 
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Just recently i was helping my lisensed Friend on the side. He just started out on his own and only has one helper. He said he was to busy to do it but he would let me keep most of the loot, i would in a sense be working under him and would be really doing him a favor. so i said why not. Im really not a side job guy unless its for friends or family(and i usally get paid in food or beer) but i did it and it really was a pain in the ass.... plaster ceilling, cut in cans three ways and four ways added on everywere, bath, master bedroom, a real nasty crawl space...the works. and in the end of the roughin about 5 weeks ago he tells me the builder or homeowner bounced a check and hes waiting for it to clear or get another one or something like that.. and says "How about I give you half of what we disscussed and half later. So now its later and just for giggles i drove by the house and i could see that the rest of the work has been finished by someone. I think it was my old friend but he told me that it hasnt even been inspected yet. He is full of crap and i almost want to ask the HO who finished the work but i feel that would come off as a bit cheesey. I had a good repoir with him and dont really want to compromise that over some short cash. the (1200$) What do you guys think?
 
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We worked together once for another EC and we did alot of jobs together,Marshals,White Castle,Wall mart and a lot of laughs in between. It just goes to show you what money does to people.
 
emahler said:
You gonna give him a little statue like they have on TLC?
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I dunno :confused:
I don't get that channel...I'm stuck in a "Ground Hog Day" type existence that has the Disney Princesses in heavy rotation.
 
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