Subcontractor recommendations? (Fort Worth, Heath, Howe: equity loans, construction, general contractor)

[NovCruisin]

Hello all! We are looking to build a pool and are looking for recommendations on subcontractors in the DFW area.

We will need sub's for excavation, rebar/steel, concrete (gunite or shotcrete), plumbing, masonry and carpentry.

Thanks!!

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by NovCruisin

Hello all! We are looking to build a pool and are looking for recommendations on subcontractors in the DFW area.

We will need sub's for excavation, rebar/steel, concrete (gunite or shotcrete), plumbing, masonry and carpentry.

Thanks!!

Are you acting as the General Contractor? If so have you ever done that before?

[NovCruisin]

Originally Posted by escanlan

Are you acting as the General Contractor? If so have you ever done that before?

Yes, my husband and I will be acting as the GC. No we have not been GC's for pool construction - but my husband has worked in construction for over 15 years (everything from day laborer, superintendent, and project manager) so we are more than capable of handling it.

Just need some recommendations on good subcontractors

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by NovCruisin

Yes, my husband and I will be acting as the GC. No we have not been GC's for pool construction - but my husband has worked in construction for over 15 years (everything from day laborer, superintendent, and project manager) so we are more than capable of handling it.

Just need some recommendations on good subcontractors

With respect this is a terrible idea. Ask your hubby to DM me. I'm a GC - commercial construction only though.

1. At the end of the day the area's best/better/good subs will simply not work for you when they can work for me/another GC who will pay them for certain. Most of my subs have worked for me for 20 years. If you need them and I need them - you have no chance because I've taken on deals at 0% profit to keep them busy - I've literally bankrolled them at 0% rates for months to keep them going.

2. First time owner/GC's are too often impossible to work for from a sub's perspective. Everyone has da Vinci's eye on Billy Carter's budget.

3. This advise is less about you and more about the fact that good subs around here are booked for months in many cases.


Thinking for another second.......
The only way you might be able to pull this off without taking on massive risk is if you can bankroll the job with cash or with an LC or provable equity loans....There is a contractor out of Fort Worth who does 4 of the 5 key trades needed for a pool and they are great. If you show then cash or close you might be able to be GC with them.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by NovCruisin

Yes, my husband and I will be acting as the GC. No we have not been GC's for pool construction - but my husband has worked in construction for over 15 years (everything from day laborer, superintendent, and project manager) so we are more than capable of handling it.

Just need some recommendations on good subcontractors

You're on your way there then. I ask only because I have encountered plenty of people who have tried to GC a project that went really bad as they had no experience. Unfortunately for others they never realized that a more complex project (those involving multiple subs) can turn real ugly with finger pointing between subs when things don't work out.

I can understand the desire to control the process to ensure a good product. However there is a lot of benefit to using a professional company for such an expensive undertaking rather than trying it ourselves. A reputable pool company has a lot to lose by doing it wrong and/or not supporting the installation if issues arise.

I certainly wish I could provide you names for good subs. The best tend to keep busy enough working for GC's and are not typically interested in side work.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

[aggieplaya]

I've never done this before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night! :-)

[NovCruisin]

Originally Posted by aggieplaya

I've never done this before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night! :-)

Huh...?

[NovCruisin]

Originally Posted by EDS_

With respect this is a terrible idea. Ask your hubby to DM me. I'm a GC - commercial construction only though.

1. At the end of the day the area's best/better/good subs will simply not work for you when they can work for me/another GC who will pay them for certain. Most of my subs have worked for me for 20 years. If you need them and I need them - you have no chance because I've taken on deals at 0% profit to keep them busy - I've literally bankrolled them at 0% rates for months to keep them going.

2. First time owner/GC's are too often impossible to work for from a sub's perspective. Everyone has da Vinci's eye on Billy Carter's budget.

3. This advise is less about you and more about the fact that good subs around here are booked for months in many cases.


Thinking for another second.......
The only way you might be able to pull this off without taking on massive risk is if you can bankroll the job with cash or with an LC or provable equity loans....There is a contractor out of Fort Worth who does 4 of the 5 key trades needed for a pool and they are great. If you show then cash or close you might be able to be GC with them.

Who is the contractor in Fort Worth you mention?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by NovCruisin

Who is the contractor in Fort Worth you mention?

I'm having a drink with their lead estimator tonight. Where roughly do you live? I'll DM you tonight.

[NovCruisin]

Originally Posted by EDS_

I'm having a drink with their lead estimator tonight. Where roughly do you live? I'll DM you tonight.

East Texas, around Heath