Subcontractors walked off the job and wont return . Heres why

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Subcontractors walked off the job and wont return . Heres why

Matthew Paul
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes

My electrician was doing a job in Washington DC , it is a 2.3 million dollar house ( not sure of exact location ) .  They look out the window and 4 guys are in their trucks , they run out and confront them , and the guys pull guns on them . The electricians backed away and said take what you want . So they laded tools and wire in 1 truck and stole the truck and tools . The other truck was a stick shift .  

Then 3 days later the HVAC crew was there  ( unaware of what happened  before )  they unloaded all the equipment in the garage and low and behold , they also got robbed by gunpoint . 

The GC is demanding that they both return , and neither will , because their employees just wont do it . And the owners refuse to put the employees in danger . 

And a guy was killed across the street 2 weeks earlier .

There are some jobs that arent worth doing no matter the price .     

So if you are buying in a rough area , understand that a lot of contractors wont work there 

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Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
1y
Quote from @Alan F.:

Yep, there are many areas here I won't work in, S.F., Oakland, and several D areas.

Thieves are well aware of what's on or in an electricians truck. Customers in those areas aren't looking for quality work anyway.


My Brother in law is an underground contractor with a contract with city of Richmond.. Not a lot of stuff to steal off of his trucks etc.. But one morning we drove over so he could show me a job and there had been a big shoot out on the street with all those little yellow cones placed over spent shells.  

When i was in Jackson MS doing my loan thing.. only certain subs would work in the city or C and D class rental areas all the subs that do new builds etc would no way go near it.. U had to pack out everything Every night no way you could leave anything and you had to back the truck right up to the front door thereby ruining the lawn :)  heck many of the tenants do the same they drive right up to the front door in their car and park there.. Its pretty wild. Also we would not place AC or HVAC unit or appliances until the day before tenant moved in or that morning. Otherwise some neighbor would call their uncle and it was gone.  . Now i work in Baltimore these days and we have had a few thefts but nothing like jackson MS thats for sure.
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  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Matthew Paul:

    My electrician was doing a job in Washington DC , it is a 2.3 million dollar house ( not sure of exact location ) .  They look out the window and 4 guys are in their trucks , they run out and confront them , and the guys pull guns on them . The electricians backed away and said take what you want . So they laded tools and wire in 1 truck and stole the truck and tools . The other truck was a stick shift .  

    Then 3 days later the HVAC crew was there  ( unaware of what happened  before )  they unloaded all the equipment in the garage and low and behold , they also got robbed by gunpoint . 

    The GC is demanding that they both return , and neither will , because their employees just wont do it . And the owners refuse to put the employees in danger . 

    And a guy was killed across the street 2 weeks earlier .

    There are some jobs that arent worth doing no matter the price .     

    So if you are buying in a rough area , understand that a lot of contractors wont work there 


    So right! I used to charge an upcharge when working in even marginally sketchy areas. Because we all had to lock our trucks and boxes up every time we  came and went for a simple tool. Most of my guys and subs had a gun in the truck or somewhere close by for situations like this. But we weren't in DC, and Cali crooks are not in the same league as your DC guys, Lol.....

    I just stopped working in bad areas, it ain't worth it. Much better to work in La Jolla or Rancho Santa Fe where you can leave your trucks wide open and the keys in the ignition.....

    2Reply
  • Alan F.
    Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Yep, there are many areas here I won't work in, S.F., Oakland, and several D areas.

    Thieves are well aware of what's on or in an electricians truck. Customers in those areas aren't looking for quality work anyway.

    1Reply
    • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
      Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Alan F.:

      Yep, there are many areas here I won't work in, S.F., Oakland, and several D areas.

      Thieves are well aware of what's on or in an electricians truck. Customers in those areas aren't looking for quality work anyway.


       Yeah, electricians have lots of that copper stuff :-)

      1Reply
    • Alan F.
      Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
      Quote from @Alan F.:

      Yep, there are many areas here I won't work in, S.F., Oakland, and several D areas.

      Thieves are well aware of what's on or in an electricians truck. Customers in those areas aren't looking for quality work anyway.


       Yeah, electricians have lots of that copper stuff :-)


       And, as you well know, are the best most handsome men on the site lol  ; )

      1Reply
    • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
      Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Alan F.:

      Yep, there are many areas here I won't work in, S.F., Oakland, and several D areas.

      Thieves are well aware of what's on or in an electricians truck. Customers in those areas aren't looking for quality work anyway.


      My Brother in law is an underground contractor with a contract with city of Richmond.. Not a lot of stuff to steal off of his trucks etc.. But one morning we drove over so he could show me a job and there had been a big shoot out on the street with all those little yellow cones placed over spent shells.  

      When i was in Jackson MS doing my loan thing.. only certain subs would work in the city or C and D class rental areas all the subs that do new builds etc would no way go near it.. U had to pack out everything Every night no way you could leave anything and you had to back the truck right up to the front door thereby ruining the lawn :)  heck many of the tenants do the same they drive right up to the front door in their car and park there.. Its pretty wild. Also we would not place AC or HVAC unit or appliances until the day before tenant moved in or that morning. Otherwise some neighbor would call their uncle and it was gone.  . Now i work in Baltimore these days and we have had a few thefts but nothing like jackson MS thats for sure.
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      6Reply
    • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
      Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Alan F.:
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
      Quote from @Alan F.:

      Yep, there are many areas here I won't work in, S.F., Oakland, and several D areas.

      Thieves are well aware of what's on or in an electricians truck. Customers in those areas aren't looking for quality work anyway.


       Yeah, electricians have lots of that copper stuff :-)


       And, as you well know, are the best most handsome men on the site lol  ; )


      I am on the last 6 new builds of the 90 home project I own here in Oregon.. so 84 homes done and delivered .. We got broken into once in the 3 years its taken me to build these. And our homes are totally exposed.. prior to garage door and other doors going in.. Now I have 6 police that have bought from me and they all bring their vehicles home so that is good. But the one break in I had there was a huge coil of copper wire they skipped that and just grabbed some power tools.. but they did but a door we had to fix.. But when we are doing rough in the house is totally open so will just knock on wood.. 
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      3Reply
    • Alan F.
      Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:
      Quote from @Alan F.:
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
      Quote from @Alan F.:

      Yep, there are many areas here I won't work in, S.F., Oakland, and several D areas.

      Thieves are well aware of what's on or in an electricians truck. Customers in those areas aren't looking for quality work anyway.


       Yeah, electricians have lots of that copper stuff :-)


       And, as you well know, are the best most handsome men on the site lol  ; )


      I am on the last 6 new builds of the 90 home project I own here in Oregon.. so 84 homes done and delivered .. We got broken into once in the 3 years its taken me to build these. And our homes are totally exposed.. prior to garage door and other doors going in.. Now I have 6 police that have bought from me and they all bring their vehicles home so that is good. But the one break in I had there was a huge coil of copper wire they skipped that and just grabbed some power tools.. but they did but a door we had to fix.. But when we are doing rough in the house is totally open so will just knock on wood.. 

       Man, I'm glad it's not been any worse!

      since prop 47 & 57 passed I've had 2 catalytic converters stolen, 3 Windows, 20k in materials & 10k in tools. We're much more careful nowadays.

      2Reply
    • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
      Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Alan F.:
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
      Quote from @Alan F.:

      Yep, there are many areas here I won't work in, S.F., Oakland, and several D areas.

      Thieves are well aware of what's on or in an electricians truck. Customers in those areas aren't looking for quality work anyway.


       Yeah, electricians have lots of that copper stuff :-)


       And, as you well know, are the best most handsome men on the site lol  ; )

      "And, as you well know, are the best most handsome men on the site lol"

      Most of the groupies hanging around my jobsites were checkim' out the caprenters, Lol.....
      1Reply
  • Eric James
    Investor · Malakoff, TX · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    Worth $2.3M and in a war zone. What type of property is this?

    1Reply
    • Matthew Paul
      OP
      Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Eric James:

      Worth $2.3M and in a war zone. What type of property is this?


       New construction , not in a war zone , Its just in DC . From what I have heard is criminals search out contractors , there can be big scores in their trucks . 

      1Reply
    • Eric James
      Investor · Malakoff, TX · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Matthew Paul:
      Quote from @Eric James:

      Worth $2.3M and in a war zone. What type of property is this?


       New construction , not in a war zone , Its just in DC . From what I have heard is criminals search out contractors , there can be big scores in their trucks . 


       New construction of what?

      0Reply
    • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
      Moderator
      Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Eric James:

      Worth $2.3M and in a war zone. What type of property is this?


       That was my thought, I am putting a little doubt on this story - yes this happens in DC in SE and NE which there are not many $2.3M homes in that area unless its multiunit.

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      0Reply
    • Matthew Paul
      OP
      Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Eric James:
      Quote from @Matthew Paul:
      Quote from @Eric James:

      Worth $2.3M and in a war zone. What type of property is this?


       New construction , not in a war zone , Its just in DC . From what I have heard is criminals search out contractors , there can be big scores in their trucks . 


       New construction of what?


       House

      0Reply
    • Matthew Paul
      OP
      Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Chris Seveney:
      Quote from @Eric James:

      Worth $2.3M and in a war zone. What type of property is this?


       That was my thought, I am putting a little doubt on this story - yes this happens in DC in SE and NE which there are not many $2.3M homes in that area unless its multiunit.


       Doubt all you want , I didnt ask the address, or the sq footage  , dont care . I was just glad his guys didnt get shot or killed . I do know the GC company name and the Electrical contractor , but wont put that out here ,  I did talk with lead on the job and he said he will quit before he goes back there .  The owner wont put his men back in that type of harm 

      1Reply
    • Eric James
      Investor · Malakoff, TX · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Matthew Paul:
      Quote from @Chris Seveney:
      Quote from @Eric James:

      Worth $2.3M and in a war zone. What type of property is this?


       That was my thought, I am putting a little doubt on this story - yes this happens in DC in SE and NE which there are not many $2.3M homes in that area unless its multiunit.


       Doubt all you want , I didnt ask the address, or the sq footage  , dont care . I was just glad his guys didnt get shot or killed . I do know the GC company name and the Electrical contractor , but wont put that out here ,  I did talk with lead on the job and he said he will quit before he goes back there .  The owner wont put his men back in that type of harm 

      I believe you, but like the name or not, that's a war zone.
      0Reply
    • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
      Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Chris Seveney:
      Quote from @Eric James:

      Worth $2.3M and in a war zone. What type of property is this?


       That was my thought, I am putting a little doubt on this story - yes this happens in DC in SE and NE which there are not many $2.3M homes in that area unless its multiunit.

      Don't doubt it if you haven't done it. I had similar problem when working in San Diego. There were many older areas that were gentrifying, where the houses were easily worth $1mm+, even thought they were in horrible shape. But the rabble and low-lifes were still occupying the area and just waiting for us to roll in....
      1Reply
  • Mackaylee BeachPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 492 votes
    1y

    It's truly unfortunate, but it's good to know that everyone is doing well. Material possessions come and go, safety must always remain the highest priority.

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    2Reply
  • Mike H.
    Rental Property Investor · Manteno, IL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    Why doesn't the gc just hire security there during the day.  Its not like they're going to be needed for months.  Just long enough for the electrician, plumber and hvac guys to get done. The gc should also get some cameras up as well to help deter them from robbing the contractors and the house itself.

    For a 2.3 million dollar home, I'm guessing the gc is making some decent money.  He could probably tell the buyers to foot the bill so that they can finish the house.  Or maybe go in half on the security cost.  What choice would the buyer have.  It could add months of delays and that means the buyer is paying interest on it sitting there.  Security would be cheaper than the interest on that costly of a home. 

    0Reply
  • Conrad Hotchkiss
    Anaheim, CA · Member since 2017 · 2 posts · 5 votes
    1y

    @Matthew Paul what state or city?

    0Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    OP
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y

    Washington Dc

    0Reply
  • Conrad BennettBusiness Member
    Member since 2024 · 9 posts · 7 votes
    1y

    It's very unfortunate, but not an uncommon conversation. 

    I recently had a conversation with a roofer we’ve worked with for years—and he told me they’re officially done taking jobs in some parts of DC.

    Why?

    While his crew was up working on a roof, someone walked off with their ladder. In broad daylight. With the crew still on the roof.

    They had to call the fire department to get down.

    It sounds almost unbelievable, but unfortunately, it's becoming a trend.  First parking concerns, now some of our trusted vendors are passing on jobs based on location. 

    It’s not just about theft—it's the constant risk to their tools, trucks, and safety.

    For investors and landlords, this has real consequences:

    • Fewer vendors means longer wait times.

    • Higher pricing (if you can get someone at all).

    • Delays that affect residents and your bottom line.

    I’m curious—any other DC-area landlords seeing vendors pulling back from specific neighborhoods?

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  • Alan F.
    Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    A little dark humor;

    I explained to the police officer, we work in nice area's !

    He said " you do realize thieves commute, right?"

    1Reply
  • Larry Myer
    Real Estate Coach · Nationwide · Member since 2014 · 12 posts · 12 votes
    1y

    Im in Kansas City and spent all of my 40 years in business doing nothing but "war zone" properties.   We did it all..renovate lease and manage.  We provided turn key properties for investors

    We were demoing a house and one of the guys took out a toilet that was filled to the brim with hooey.   Told hime to set it on the curb to get it and the smell out of the house while we were waiting for the dumpster.  As soon as he set it on the curb, turned around and walked back to the house a car pulls up.  One guy gets out opens the trunk.  He throws the toilet in the trunk and then looks around to make sure there are no witnesses.  Closes the trunk and sped off.   Gotta love working in the hood.

    1Reply
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