Anybody ever been their own contractor?

[SunInHair]

We have migraines from the experience!!!!!

[Cosmic]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

One other thing that surprised me was the number of contractors and workers who could not read plans. I am a lawyer for crying out loud and I can read the plans better than half of our contractors/workers. What good is the license test anyway?

I hate to inform you that that license test is about worthless in determining real qualifications. If I remember, it was more multiple guess, you have to sort of demo the ability to calculate a beam for a header, few other minor stuff, look up stuff in charts. You could have aced the exam and been a screaming nitwit. You bought a book and all the answers were basically in there. Any mildly educated middle school kid should have been able to pass the exam with a bit of prior study. Like most of that stuff, the exam question structure was exactly like the study materials, only the numbers a bit different. Some basic building code type stuff too. Hopefully you were not thinking of charging out and conquering the World on that piece of paper alone.

Not only are you supposed to be able to read drawings but in many cases be able to produce them. Least for the more minor rehab projects.

I don't remember any prior experience being required. I remember both me and the partner just did the jump thru the loop deal and it was over. If you wanted to be a real keener there were something like 26 different licenses. Even one if you wanted to install or maintain them fire call pull boxes on the streets. In the early years nobody ever got permits anyway.

Then they started adding all sorts of fees, including this one for supposely a fund to pay folks screwed by poor work. You paid even if nobody ever said you did anything wrong. The best and the worse were seen as equals.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Did you beat him with a 2x4? Nail his foot to the floor so he could not leave? Maybe I should have tried that. I tried everything else.....

As an educated, respected healthcare professional I made every attempt to work within the system as a gentleman. I am ashamed to say that since our life savings was in jeopardy I resorted to methods that helped me survive growing up in the ghetto of LA. The front door, including casing of the contractor's house was kicked in, the living room reduced to rubble, and the brakes on his foreman's truck failed the next week. After these accidents, the contractor became more cooperative. I don't advocate this approach, but it makes people aware that I am not one to be taken advantage of.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by GLS

As an educated, respected healthcare professional I made every attempt to work within the system as a gentleman. I am ashamed to say that since our life savings was in jeopardy I resorted to methods that helped me survive growing up in the ghetto of LA. The front door, including casing of the contractor's house was kicked in, the living room reduced to rubble, and the brakes on his foreman's truck failed the next week. After these accidents, the contractor became more cooperative. I don't advocate this approach, but it makes people aware that I am not one to be taken advantage of.

This is the correct way to deal with things. Dont feel bad for it.

[Synergy1]

Coldjensens, I approve of your posts.

[hdwell]

Well folks, it sounds a lot more complex than I believed. I think I will take all this info as food for thought and if I really become passionate about it, then I will pursue. Right now, no.

I have wanted to build a small lakehouse for years but never quite had enough bills out of the way. Will recheck this whole idea later. Thanks for all your responses. I do appreciate it.