Finalizing the addition to the house.......

As you guys know, I was looking for a contractor to add an addition to my house. I finally found one. He will do it to my specifications. On specifics, he said 24" OC on certain items as per code, I said no (Randy said 16" on those items, etc.). I said no here and there and most everywhere. Etc., etc., etc. Only because it's code, doesn't mean it's right in my mind. Beware of a lot of these folks, they are well aware of the ignorant population out there. All said and done, I'll be meeting the contractor tomorrow afternoon to get it started. Total blackout at $30 per square foot including a 1 1/8" subfloor versus a code 3/4" subfloor (live on a large hill). We'll see. I figure he'll back out after step one. Doing it one step at a time.

I figure it makes a difference when negotiating with these folks when on a cash basis instead of writing checks to a bank to something you own (they are not used to this). In which I will not, or refuse to do. I grew up very hard, and have learned some very good lessons from that. Oh well, to each his own.

On another note, negotiating on another Tracker. This one is very sweet. We'll see - wearing the sales women down :).

Some say they have their priorities to fish everyday, I have mine as well. Thought I'd share with my friends.

Good luck on the addition and the negotiating. I'm glad to see someone standing up for what they have determined that they want. After all, it is your addition and you are paying for it.

I hate people that try to take advantage of others, bid the job right, do the job right and you will have a satisfied customer that will get you guess what more work, simple but true

Guys as a HVAC contractor myself, I have to say the market has made things this way. You have to bid a job at the minimum code level to get work. There are a lot of contractors competing for work in todays economy. Most people bid a basic job and additionals can be hashed out with the customer as needed.

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Originally Posted by BlackWidow

Guys as a HVAC contractor myself, I have to say the market has made things this way. You have to bid a job at the minimum code level to get work. There are a lot of contractors competing for work in todays economy. Most people bid a basic job and additionals can be hashed out with the customer as needed.

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I have put plans and specifications together for 55 years....it is an art to avoid change orders, schedule delays and cost over runs and was part of my job......most drawings will say, "in case of a conflict between the plans and the specifications, the drawings will govern.....the problem, as I believe Randy was trying to illustrate, is that some contractors will base their bid on what code says is acceptable without qualifying that in their bid.....for instance, Randy wants studs at 16" c/c (stated on the drawings and/or specs) and the contractor bids the job based on studs at 24" c/c without qualifying that in his bid........then after the problem comes up, they want a change order (more money) to put the studs at 16" c/c due to their own mess up....sorry, but they get no more money......should have looked at the plans and specs better rather than try to build something based on what they have built in the past.....

also, sometimes drawings will specify a particular product, lets say a kitchen sink, and give the model number, color, gauge thickness, etc , and they will also say "or approved equal".....if the contractor wants to provide something else, it has to be equal and approved by the owner.....if they provide something cheaper (without notifying the owner) to save money, they can be made to replace it....

a lot of time and money goes into preparing a good set of plans and specs......contractors should go over them with a fine tooth comb before submitting their bid.....

it looks like Randy knows what he wants and is going to hold the contractor to the drawings (regardless of what code says is adequate)......good job Randy....

well...as i have to make bids as well..I have gone to straightforward bidding using the best to start....doing what I would do if it were my dog/cat...not doing anything unnecessary....and leaving no stones unturned at the same time......this means higher bids than expected...less work...less lawsuits ...and ...greater job satisfaction.....this in turn will lead to more word of mouth referrals...steady work...and not being so overwhelmed that a satisfactory job can not be accomplished......:twocents