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bEatmstrJ posted:It told me that if you don't negotiate, you're probably getting ripped off. This is true in many aspects of life. Agreed. I'd just rather not work with someone who tried to rip me off to this extent as $5k on a $23k project is ludicrous. It sounds like there will be more of these projects in your future and building relationships with trustworthy contractors who do quality work is invaluable, as is having a stellar real estate agent. As mentioned previously I give you enormous credit for your motivation and drive, it's not easy with a full time job to take on such projects and despite the setbacks you don't seem discouraged at all, which is impressive. I wish you the best.
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Apr 23, 2017 21:33
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AreWeDrunkYet posted:Or is a part-time worker, or is a student, or is a homemaker who doesn't report income jointly with their spouse, or is a retiree who's not yet eligible for pension/SS payments ... there's a whole list of reasons someone could be making $6,700/yr. It's this. I'm a student.
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Apr 23, 2017 21:38
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socketwrencher posted:Agreed. I'd just rather not work with someone who tried to rip me off to this extent as $5k on a $23k project is ludicrous. I can see it. Some people just have a hard on for bargaining. Being a 'tough negotiator' is an important part of their identity or something. Driving down the price feels like winning, paying the asking price makes them feel like a chump. A contractor probably runs into a lot of those guys, so he builds in a margin to let them talk him down to a fair price and everyone walks away feeling good.
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Apr 23, 2017 21:46
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You are getting more quotes before you shower this guy in hundreds right?
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Apr 23, 2017 21:56
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cakesmith handyman posted:You are getting more quotes before you shower this guy in hundreds right? He already said he had his top however many contractors put in bids and then chose this one.
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Apr 23, 2017 21:58
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Facebook Aunt posted:I can see it. Some people just have a hard on for bargaining. Being a 'tough negotiator' is an important part of their identity or something. Driving down the price feels like winning, paying the asking price makes them feel like a chump. A contractor probably runs into a lot of those guys, so he builds in a margin to let them talk him down to a fair price and everyone walks away feeling good. To each their own. It's just not my thing. I wouldn't walk away feeling good on either side of that transaction, but that's because I'd have the quote itemized and would be able to justify each charge even against lower competing quotes. I can see knocking off $500 but not $5k. Maybe I've just seen too many people get ripped off by contractors, often elderly people or those who just don't know any better. If OP had accepted the quote without negotiation, the contractor wouldn't have volunteered to lower the price.
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Apr 24, 2017 01:16
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Bad Munki posted:bEatMBisonJ I'm just gonna sit back and assume he's blowing smoke up our asses while continuing on with his original plan.
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Apr 24, 2017 04:53
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Rhyno posted:I'm just gonna sit back and assume he's blowing smoke up our asses while continuing on with his original plan.
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Apr 24, 2017 09:03
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Rhyno posted:I'm just gonna sit back and assume he's blowing smoke up our asses while continuing on with his original plan. god i hope so. also this thread has made me look at my old house as i'm moving out and lol the hot water heater is a 20A breaker ganged with a 15A breaker.
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Apr 24, 2017 10:04
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CrazyTolradi posted:I really hope this is the case, because out of all likely options it has the most potential for hilarity. And think of all the money I would save... So tempting...
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Apr 24, 2017 18:55
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bEatmstrJ posted:And think of all the money I would save... So tempting... What if you promise wanton pig slaughter luaus and tropical yoga-mat diseases? I'm sure you can convince at least a few goons to do the work for free.
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Apr 24, 2017 23:37
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The actual likely bad end is OP getting a list of things that the engineers will need to do then saying "sweet peace out" and trying to do them himself, then installing a bathtub in several shattered pieces on his kitchen island
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Apr 25, 2017 00:39
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So the engineer just left. Guy totally reminded me of the bookstore owner from The Neverending Story. Old, very soft spoken. Initially seemed taken aback a bit by the situation but not outwardly so. He took measurements of my entire house and said he can make it work but he did seem a bit concerned about having the inspector see the joists, so he recommended fixing it (but still leaving my 2" inch drop) and covering it up before the inspector comes over as he thinks it would raise a lot of red flags. But either way, it sounded like he was just going to sister in some 4x10's next to the joists and leave the old ones in place. He's going to draft up plans and said I should have them in a couple of weeks.
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Apr 25, 2017 00:42
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bEatmstrJ posted:covering it up before the inspector comes over as he thinks it would raise a lot of red flags  s exist for a reason
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Apr 25, 2017 00:45
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bEatmstrJ posted:He took measurements of my entire house and said he can make it work but he did seem a bit concerned about having the inspector see the joists, so he recommended fixing it (but still leaving my 2" inch drop) and covering it up before the inspector comes over as he thinks it would raise a lot of red flags. Ahahahahahhahahahahahahhaaaaaaaaaaa your engineer is a loving goon who has been following this thread and wants to see some drat comedy already. Good on ya, stealth goon 
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Apr 25, 2017 00:48
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bEatmstrJ posted:He took measurements of my entire house and said he can make it work but he did seem a bit concerned about having the inspector see the joists, so he recommended fixing it (but still leaving my 2" inch drop) and covering it up before the inspector comes over as he thinks it would raise a lot of red flags. Uh. You got yourself some engineer there.
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Apr 25, 2017 00:51
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Bad Munki posted:Ahahahahahhahahahahahahhaaaaaaaaaaa your engineer is a loving goon who has been following this thread and wants to see some drat comedy already. Good on ya, stealth goon It was Kid Sinister 
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Apr 25, 2017 00:52
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pro tip did he say what sort of "engineer" he was? because you might want to find someone who's not a software engineer
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Apr 25, 2017 00:54
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Social engineer
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Apr 25, 2017 00:53
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bEatmstrJ posted:So the engineer just left. Guy totally reminded me of the bookstore owner from The Neverending Story. Old, very soft spoken. Initially seemed taken aback a bit by the situation but not outwardly so. He took measurements of my entire house and said he can make it work but he did seem a bit concerned about having the inspector see the joists, so he recommended fixing it (but still leaving my 2" inch drop) and covering it up before the inspector comes over as he thinks it would raise a lot of red flags. But either way, it sounded like he was just going to sister in some 4x10's next to the joists and leave the old ones in place. Hahahahahah we're getting a kitchen tub photo 
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Apr 25, 2017 00:54
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Bad Munki posted:Social engineer
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Apr 25, 2017 00:54
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SouthShoreSamurai posted:It was Kid Sinister Well that would be the best thing ever, wouldn't it Kid Sinister gets everyone all riled up, then scams himself in as a faux engineer that'll recommend really shady poo poo, and the hiding thereof, THEN he actually reports it once it's all sealed up and done, just to be extra spiteful. I love it. Better than Hamlet.
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Apr 25, 2017 00:56
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OP better not wuss out on this thread, please give us updates no matter how embarrassing this gets
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Apr 25, 2017 00:58
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I'm going to let the contractor decide how they want to move forward. I didn't suggest anything and I'm sure the contractor doesn't want to risk their license. The project is definitely getting inspected one way or another so when the inspector sees the subfloor is dropped they may have questions and the contractor will be answering them. But nothing has been set in stone yet, so don't get too excited.
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Apr 25, 2017 01:04
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When do we find out why the tub is sunken? Grand reveal at the end.
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Apr 25, 2017 01:12
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The Dave posted:When do we find out why the tub is sunken? Grand reveal at the end. It's purely aesthetic. The infinity tub sounds nice, but its nothing that fancy.
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Apr 25, 2017 01:19
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bEatmstrJ posted:It's purely aesthetic. The infinity tub sounds nice, but its nothing that fancy. Haaaaaaawhat I love this thread so much.
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Apr 25, 2017 01:22
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You wanted to make it so the floor is harder to clean and nasty water pools around the base of the tub?
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Apr 25, 2017 01:24
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kastein posted:You wanted to make it so the floor is harder to clean and nasty water pools around the base of the tub? No, he wanted a solid gold thread and that was the only way to accomplish it.
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Apr 25, 2017 01:24
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If you wanted the bottom of the tub to appear somewhat perceptibly flush with the floor I guess you weren't kidding about being more of a designer than an engineer.
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Apr 25, 2017 01:28
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Godspeed OP
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Apr 25, 2017 01:28
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Bad Munki posted:No, he wanted a solid gold thread and that was the only way to accomplish it. 
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Apr 25, 2017 01:29
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bEatmstrJ posted:It's purely aesthetic. The infinity tub sounds nice, but its nothing that fancy. throw some wool in me because im dyeing
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Apr 25, 2017 02:33
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bEatmstrJ posted:It's purely aesthetic. The infinity tub sounds nice, but its nothing that fancy. c'mon dude, you can do better. How about a M.C. Escher tub?
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Apr 25, 2017 02:46
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I'm amazed at how simultaneously humble yet braggadocios this comparison is. Guys I'm like a president, but a lovely one.
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Apr 25, 2017 02:48
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The Bloop posted:I'm amazed at how simultaneously humble yet braggadocios this comparison is.
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Apr 25, 2017 02:57
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bEatmstrJ posted:I'm going to let the contractor decide how they want to move forward. I didn't suggest anything and I'm sure the contractor doesn't want to risk their license. The project is definitely getting inspected one way or another so when the inspector sees the subfloor is dropped they may have questions and the contractor will be answering them. But nothing has been set in stone yet, so don't get too excited. I'd ask for the guy's engineering licenses number and look it up on the state registry (super easy in Illinois, imagine it's the same in California). You want stamped drawings. That means the engineer is putting their own rear end on the line civilly and criminally.
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Apr 25, 2017 03:34
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bEatmstrJ posted:But nothing has been set in stone yet, so don't get too excited. Is the tub going to be set in stone?
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Apr 25, 2017 04:16
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bEatmstrJ posted:So the engineer just left..... He took measurements of my entire house... This is why the comments earlier about engineers charging $500 for stamped drawings made no sense to me. Figure an hour to measure, an hour travel time, 2-3 hours to draw up plans, an hour to print/scan... these folks aren't working for $90/hr. bEatmstrJ posted:and said he can make it work but he did seem a bit concerned about having the inspector see the joists, so he recommended fixing it (but still leaving my 2" inch drop) and covering it up before the inspector comes over as he thinks it would raise a lot of red flags. This engineer works for the same company as your contractor, right? This is quite an operation. bEatmstrJ posted:But either way, it sounded like he was just going to sister in some 4x10's next to the joists and leave the old ones in place. You sure he's talking about 4x10s?
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Apr 25, 2017 04:34
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Do you think if the inspector sees it he'll make you vacate the premises until the problem is fixed? Because that would be hilarious.
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Apr 25, 2017 04:36
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