Residential remodel

I wouldn't have even priced it if the GC said the ceilings stay. I've had plenty of jobs recently where I told the GC to just gut the ceilings. I usually tell them it'll be cheaper to gut the ceiling and replace, so I'll carry it in my price if you want.....they end up gutting it. But these are all GC's that I do a lot of work for and have for years.
 
If the roof is pitched, how do you drill the top plates from the attic? Especially with interior walls taken out. You might have a lot of nail holes in your noggin before your through.

I agree with @hbiss and the other give him a high price. 1965 house around here the wall probably have at least 2-3" of insulation in thee walls
 
Eddie702 said:
If the roof is pitched, how do you drill the top plates from the attic? Especially with interior walls taken out. You might have a lot of nail holes in your noggin before your through.

I agree with @hbiss and the other give him a high price. 1965 house around here the wall probably have at least 2-3" of insulation in thee walls
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5-foot DiversiBits are great there, even with a low-pitched roof. The length means you don't have to crawl back in there. You position the tip right at the front of the top plate and start it slowly. After it grabs, you push it against the roof to bend it. As it feeds through the wood, the head straightens. After you drill, use 15 feet of fish stick to go down the wall.

There are some other creative options, too
 
James L said:
The length means you don't have to crawl back in there.
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Few can soldier such livelihood for long:
* Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke are not considered by customers
* Black Mold exposure is the most lethal respiratory pathogen common to attic space
* Vermin Feces is a common attic vector for pathogens, and disease
* Clothes & Tools carry pathogens to vehicles, living spaces, and family members
* Tetanus lock jaw is reported from rusty nails protruding thru roof
* Torn meniscus is the most common ligament injury with attic work
* Mesothelioma is the most common cancer from exposure to attic asbestos
* Irritation and lung issues are common with fiberglass insulation, but not associated with cancer
* My insurance carrier Canceled & Non-Renewed GL policy, regardless of booby-trap joist cut away for handyman's can light
 
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James L said:
5-foot DiversiBits are great there, even with a low-pitched roof. The length means you don't have to crawl back in there. You position the tip right at the front of the top plate and start it slowly. After it grabs, you push it against the roof to bend it. As it feeds through the wood, the head straightens. After you drill, use 15 feet of fish stick to go down the wall.

There are some other creative options, too
Click to expand...
depends on the roof pitch I guess. If I tried that on the last job I did I would have bored through to daylight.
 
James L said:
I wouldn't be afraid to price this job by the opening, And I would guarantee 99% no drywall damage
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99% no drywall damage seems high for a house with one floor that is slab on grade with a finished floor above.


James L said:
Because that's what I do.
I'm part-time electrician and part-time magician.

I get stuff in with zero damage after 6 electricians say there's no way
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James L said:
5-foot DiversiBits are great there, even with a low-pitched roof. The length means you don't have to crawl back in there. You position the tip right at the front of the top plate and start it slowly. After it grabs, you push it against the roof to bend it. As it feeds through the wood, the head straightens. After you drill, use 15 feet of fish stick to go down the wall.

There are some other creative options, too
Click to expand...

I like the way you work. I have done the same, and many other solutions as well. However there is a risk benefit question on each job and task.

On a low pitch roof with 2x4 walls it can be very difficult if not impossible to get that angle perfect so you're not blowing through the drywall or through to the outside. Sometimes it's necessary to avoid a patch in a wood paneled, or Venetian plastered room.

I refuse to drill blind through floor joists or walls. I need to see before I drill. It's not worth the risk.

If other work is already happening that requires drywall patching, it only seems appropriate to save money on the high cost of an electrician skilled enough to perform these tough drills and fishes you mention and instead spend much less money on patching. This is the case in the OP.

If however you're the only trade in the job, then that calculus leans toward no holes if possible.

Don't get me wrong, we always try to avoid holes where possible but we're way more expensive than a drywall patcher so it doesn't always make sense to bend over backwards to avoid holes.


Rob G
Seattle
 
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