Issue getting bid from contractor

Real Estate Broker · Commerce City, CO · Member since 2018 · 107 posts · 55 votes

Hey BP community looking for some insight here. I've been trying to get bids for some work on a newly acquired triplex, and recently guy response back from one of the contractors that kind of took me back. Not sure if what I'm sending is maybe too detailed or in-depth, but wondering if I need to adjust what I'm sending them. Below is the message that I sent to a contractor and their response, as well as the scope of work document I sent them.

"Morning _______, I hope you had a good weekend and thanks again for replying back to me on facebook. Attached is the construction scope of the work and we discussed. I would still like to see about having you out on Thursday or Friday to look at the project and bid it out. I currently have a company scheduled at 1 pm on Thursday, as well as one @ 12 pm on Friday. Let me know what time works best for you."

Contractor response:

"Im gonna pass. I as the contractor come to the table with the paperwork and contract.

This not how I conduct my business.

Good Luck"

What are your guy's thoughts, was what I sent him to much? Or is this just the contractor's way of not wanting to bid the job.

This is some of the scope of work I sent him below. The only thing I can think of was the lines where it stated material cost and total cost for each section. Really I did this so if there are things/areas I need to remove to stick to my budget it is easier to do so.

1 Reply

109 views

Most Popular Reply

Brian Garlington

Realtor · Oakland, CA and a Real Estate Investor with Multi-Family Units and a Self Storage Facility · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes

You came across like the Somali pirate in the movie Captain Phillips when he said to Tom Hanks “I’m the Captain.”

The biggest red flags were that detailed of an SOW, the I’m meeting 2 other contractors and the time you are saying you can meet.

The better approach will be

DO NOT mention any other contractors.

Offer to meet him at the property at 6am. That is not a joke. He can probably meet you at 6am or when it is first getting light outside . That way he can look over the job, THEN he will go to his current job site at 7 or 7:30am..... and then get his bid to you later that night or the next night. Right now you are implying you want him to take time away from a job he currently needs to be on to meet him at noon or 1pm to bid on a job he “might get” and he needs to compete with at least 2 other contractors.

Last but not least, keep your initial request very simple with a few bullet points of what you ultimately want done from a 40,000 foot level. I have a leaking roof, some windows that need to be replaced and the garage may need to be flattened, do you do that sort of work on a triplex? Cool. I know you probably have other projects going on so I can actually meet you at the property at 6am before we both go to work, if that fits your schedule.

You come to him with detailed SOW type of request screams, “I’m an analytical controlling potentially difficult consumer to work with.... a lot of these GCs are used to being the Alpha.

You practically told him, here’s the schematics I have already diagramed as well as the blueprint you will need to use. I know you’re the GC, but this is my property and I expect things done a certain way (my way). I also have multiple checks and balances built in and I’m letting you know that I can and will hold up your money if things do not go EXACTLY the way I want them to go WHEN I want them to go, I hope we are clear on this buddy.

Although it is good to know exactly what you want, you came across as way to overbearing for him.

16 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

66 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Chris MasonPro Member
Moderator
Lender · CA · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 10k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Hey BP community looking for some insight here. I've been trying to get bids for some work on a newly acquired triplex, and recently guy response back from one of the contractors that kind of took me back. Not sure if what I'm sending is maybe to detailed or in depth, but wondering if I need to adjust what I'm sending them. Below is the message that I sent to a contractor and their response, as well as the scope of work document I sent them.
"Morning _______, I hope you had a good weekend and thanks again for replying back to me on facebook. Attached is the construction scope of the work and we discussed. I would still like to see about having you out on Thursday or Friday to look at the project. I currently have a company scheduled at 1 pm on Thursday, as well as one @ 12 pm on Friday. Let me know what time works best for you."
Contractor response:
"Im gonna pass. I as the contractor come to the table with the paper work and contract.
This not how I conduct my business.
Good Luck"
What are your guys's thoughts, was what I sent him to much? Or is this just the contractor's way of not wanting to bid the job.

You've got a typical "entitled consumer" mindset. That's fine for things where it's a buyer's market. But skilled GC labor is a seller's market. Due to supply/demand imbalance, the people "selling" their skilled labor dictate terms, timelines, prices, et cetera. Granted I'm here in the SF Bay Area where that is more true than most places. But, in general, GCs are the price setters, consumers of those goods/services are the price takers.

Here's an exact quote from my GC father in law: "I've been raising my rates 20% per year for the last 5 years, and the market has not even blinked." You will not find him on google or anywhere else, he's 100% referral based, he's busy as hell, and the only reason he isn't retired is b/c his rates have more than doubled in 5 years. He's barely willing to do a little $75k job to begin... If you hit him with your initial email, I think the response you got is far more polite than what he'd have responded with, assuming he didn't ignore the message entirely.
11 Reply
Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
6y
@Tristan Colborg You got other contractors responding positively. My impression is that this contractor prefers to deal with people who are not knowledgeable enough to provide sufficient detail to get accurate and multiple bids. Forget them. All the best!
14 Reply
Tristan Colborg
OP
Real Estate Broker · Commerce City, CO · Member since 2018 · 107 posts · 55 votes
6y
Originally posted by @Chris Mason:
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Hey BP community looking for some insight here. I've been trying to get bids for some work on a newly acquired triplex, and recently guy response back from one of the contractors that kind of took me back. Not sure if what I'm sending is maybe to detailed or in depth, but wondering if I need to adjust what I'm sending them. Below is the message that I sent to a contractor and their response, as well as the scope of work document I sent them.
"Morning _______, I hope you had a good weekend and thanks again for replying back to me on facebook. Attached is the construction scope of the work and we discussed. I would still like to see about having you out on Thursday or Friday to look at the project. I currently have a company scheduled at 1 pm on Thursday, as well as one @ 12 pm on Friday. Let me know what time works best for you."
Contractor response:
"Im gonna pass. I as the contractor come to the table with the paper work and contract.
This not how I conduct my business.
Good Luck"
What are your guys's thoughts, was what I sent him to much? Or is this just the contractor's way of not wanting to bid the job.

You've got a typical "entitled consumer" mindset. That's fine for things where it's a buyer's market. But skilled GC labor is a seller's market. Due to supply/demand imbalance, the people "selling" their skilled labor dictate terms, timelines, prices, et cetera. Granted I'm here in the SF Bay Area where that is more true than most places. But, in general, GCs are the price setters, consumers of those goods/services are the price takers.

Here's an exact quote from my GC father in law: "I've been raising my rates 20% per year for the last 5 years, and the market has not even blinked." You will not find him on google or anywhere else, he's 100% referral based, he's busy as hell, and the only reason he isn't retired is b/c his rates have more than doubled in 5 years. He's barely willing to do a little $75k job to begin... If you hit him with your initial email, I think the response you got is far more polite than what he'd have responded with, assuming he didn't ignore the message entirely.

@Chris Mason maybe you can shed a little more light on this then. I sent him the scope of work that I know I would like completed at the property. I didn't ask for him to price it out without seeing it, and I didn't mention anything about pricing. The scope of work was so he knew what items I needed done, and that he could bid the job out after seeing it.

So how would you have approached the contractor then?

1 Reply
Brooks Johnson
Realtor · Minneapolis (Blaine), MN · Member since 2018 · 45 posts · 34 votes
6y
You're throwing out a lot of red flags for some contractors. Mentioning competition, super detailed scope, real estate investor. He was prob busy already and it just wasn't a good fit. You saved yourself some time
9 Reply
Chris MasonPro Member
Moderator
Lender · CA · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 10k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Originally posted by @Chris Mason:
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Hey BP community looking for some insight here. I've been trying to get bids for some work on a newly acquired triplex, and recently guy response back from one of the contractors that kind of took me back. Not sure if what I'm sending is maybe to detailed or in depth, but wondering if I need to adjust what I'm sending them. Below is the message that I sent to a contractor and their response, as well as the scope of work document I sent them.
"Morning _______, I hope you had a good weekend and thanks again for replying back to me on facebook. Attached is the construction scope of the work and we discussed. I would still like to see about having you out on Thursday or Friday to look at the project. I currently have a company scheduled at 1 pm on Thursday, as well as one @ 12 pm on Friday. Let me know what time works best for you."
Contractor response:
"Im gonna pass. I as the contractor come to the table with the paper work and contract.
This not how I conduct my business.
Good Luck"
What are your guys's thoughts, was what I sent him to much? Or is this just the contractor's way of not wanting to bid the job.

You've got a typical "entitled consumer" mindset. That's fine for things where it's a buyer's market. But skilled GC labor is a seller's market. Due to supply/demand imbalance, the people "selling" their skilled labor dictate terms, timelines, prices, et cetera. Granted I'm here in the SF Bay Area where that is more true than most places. But, in general, GCs are the price setters, consumers of those goods/services are the price takers.

Here's an exact quote from my GC father in law: "I've been raising my rates 20% per year for the last 5 years, and the market has not even blinked." You will not find him on google or anywhere else, he's 100% referral based, he's busy as hell, and the only reason he isn't retired is b/c his rates have more than doubled in 5 years. He's barely willing to do a little $75k job to begin... If you hit him with your initial email, I think the response you got is far more polite than what he'd have responded with, assuming he didn't ignore the message entirely.

@Chris Mason maybe you can shed a little more light on this then. I sent him the scope of work that I know I would like completed at the property. I didn't ask for him to price it out without seeing it, and I didn't mention anything about pricing. The scope of work was so he knew what items I needed done, and that he could bid the job out after seeing it.

So how would you have approached the contractor then?

I wouldn't. I'd talk to some other folks in the area, ask for their experiences - including pricing etc - and work with the one GC that I felt was the best fit based on that. GCs don't have time for the "get three quotes!" stuff in the current market, we who want their time are a dime a dozen and they are the rare commodity. Maybe things will change when the next cyclical downturn comes, who knows.
Simultaneously, I would - and do - tell anyone I encounter that is young and unsure of what to do, to pick up a hammer and start learning the trades.

2 Reply
Steven Lowe
Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 448 posts · 320 votes
6y
@Chris Mason Sounds like they didn't want to get into a bidding war with multiple other contractors or spend hours filling out a detailed bid form. I can relate. I wouldn't do that either. Don't take it personally, there are only so many projects a contractor can do at a time. Just keep looking for the right one. My only criticism of their response would be to perhaps handle it more diplomatically. They were straight forward and got right to the point.
6 Reply
David Burkholder
Greenwood, DE · Member since 2019 · 23 posts · 22 votes
6y
Are you a laywer? The attached doc reads like it is right have been written by a lawyer. Many contractors have unwritten rule that they dont work for lawyers.(usually based on a bad previous experience)
It is almost like your are too detailed. I like the concept if the list, but a simple bullet point list would come off as less intimidating and lawyerly.
The other issue that is going on is a mixed sense of "who is the boss" The doc definitely gives the vibe that the Owner is calling the shots - being the GC. This particular contractor sounds like the kind of guy that likes to be the general and guide the process, rather than play the part of a sub, functioning at the beck and call of the GC.
Also, contractors are tired of the get three bids game. Their time is money. This guy knew you were just using him for a number, and he knew he wouldn't be the lowest bidder, so there was no reason. to even look at the job..
6 Reply
Tristan Colborg
OP
Real Estate Broker · Commerce City, CO · Member since 2018 · 107 posts · 55 votes
6y
Originally posted by @Chris Mason:
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Originally posted by @Chris Mason:
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Hey BP community looking for some insight here. I've been trying to get bids for some work on a newly acquired triplex, and recently guy response back from one of the contractors that kind of took me back. Not sure if what I'm sending is maybe to detailed or in depth, but wondering if I need to adjust what I'm sending them. Below is the message that I sent to a contractor and their response, as well as the scope of work document I sent them.
"Morning _______, I hope you had a good weekend and thanks again for replying back to me on facebook. Attached is the construction scope of the work and we discussed. I would still like to see about having you out on Thursday or Friday to look at the project. I currently have a company scheduled at 1 pm on Thursday, as well as one @ 12 pm on Friday. Let me know what time works best for you."
Contractor response:
"Im gonna pass. I as the contractor come to the table with the paper work and contract.
This not how I conduct my business.
Good Luck"
What are your guys's thoughts, was what I sent him to much? Or is this just the contractor's way of not wanting to bid the job.

You've got a typical "entitled consumer" mindset. That's fine for things where it's a buyer's market. But skilled GC labor is a seller's market. Due to supply/demand imbalance, the people "selling" their skilled labor dictate terms, timelines, prices, et cetera. Granted I'm here in the SF Bay Area where that is more true than most places. But, in general, GCs are the price setters, consumers of those goods/services are the price takers.

Here's an exact quote from my GC father in law: "I've been raising my rates 20% per year for the last 5 years, and the market has not even blinked." You will not find him on google or anywhere else, he's 100% referral based, he's busy as hell, and the only reason he isn't retired is b/c his rates have more than doubled in 5 years. He's barely willing to do a little $75k job to begin... If you hit him with your initial email, I think the response you got is far more polite than what he'd have responded with, assuming he didn't ignore the message entirely.

@Chris Mason maybe you can shed a little more light on this then. I sent him the scope of work that I know I would like completed at the property. I didn't ask for him to price it out without seeing it, and I didn't mention anything about pricing. The scope of work was so he knew what items I needed done, and that he could bid the job out after seeing it.

So how would you have approached the contractor then?

I wouldn't. I'd talk to some other folks in the area, ask for their experiences - including pricing etc - and work with the one GC that I felt was the best fit based on that. GCs don't have time for the "get three quotes!" stuff in the current market, we who want their time are a dime a dozen and they are the rare commodity. Maybe things will change when the next cyclical downturn comes, who knows.
Simultaneously, I would - and do - tell anyone I encounter that is young and unsure of what to do, to pick up a hammer and start learning the trades.

@Chris Mason if you are implying for me to pick up a hammer and do the work, that isn't easy since this is an out of state property. The thing is this contractor was mentioned here on the forums a couple of times as being good to work with. As for getting the only one quote, I feel like that is a waste of my time to travel to a city to meet with one contractor and HOPE he shows up to bid the job. Instead, why not schedule 3 or 4 hope two arrive and get a couple of quotes. Plus I felt like sending a detailed scope of work was a better way for the contractor to see if the work I am looking to have done is something they want to take on. If it isn't then they can simply say the work isn't something they want to take on.
Mainly I was curious if what I sent in the email as well as the scope of work was appropriate. If I need to just call and say "Hey you want to come see if you want to take on a remodel project for me, my budget is $30k!" then I guess that is what I need to do.

0 Reply
Tristan Colborg
OP
Real Estate Broker · Commerce City, CO · Member since 2018 · 107 posts · 55 votes
6y
Originally posted by @Steven Lowe:
@Chris Mason Sounds like they didn't want to get into a bidding war with multiple other contractors or spend hours filling out a detailed bid form. I can relate. I wouldn't do that either. Don't take it personally, there are only so many projects a contractor can do at a time. Just keep looking for the right one. My only criticism of their response would be to perhaps handle it more diplomatically. They were straight forward and got right to the point.

So Steve do I just ask for them to come look at the project and give a general quote? Is it not good to give them a detailed scope of work? So if I am in town only for a couple of days do I just schedule multiple contractors out there and not let them know I am getting other bids?

0 Reply
Tristan Colborg
OP
Real Estate Broker · Commerce City, CO · Member since 2018 · 107 posts · 55 votes
6y
Originally posted by @David Burkholder:
Are you a laywer? The attached doc reads like it is right have been written by a lawyer. Many contractors have unwritten rule that they dont work for lawyers.(usually based on a bad previous experience)
It is almost like your are too detailed. I like the concept if the list, but a simple bullet point list would come off as less intimidating and lawyerly.
The other issue that is going on is a mixed sense of "who is the boss" The doc definitely gives the vibe that the Owner is calling the shots - being the GC. This particular contractor sounds like the kind of guy that likes to be the general and guide the process, rather than play the part of a sub, functioning at the beck and call of the GC.
Also, contractors are tired of the get three bids game. Their time is money. This guy knew you were just using him for a number, and he knew he wouldn't be the lowest bidder, so there was no reason. to even look at the job..

I never said I was looking for the lowest bidder, and I am willing to pay for quality work. I am definitely not a lawyer! The scope of work was outlined in detail so there wasn't any question of what exactly I was looking to have done. I guess I should have been much more vague... I need some electrical done, some painting, some flooring put in, and whatever else you think should be done.
0 Reply
Brian Garlington
Realtor · Oakland, CA and a Real Estate Investor with Multi-Family Units and a Self Storage Facility · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
6y
You came across like the Somali pirate in the movie Captain Phillips when he said to Tom Hanks “I’m the Captain.”

The biggest red flags were that detailed of an SOW, the I’m meeting 2 other contractors and the time you are saying you can meet.
The better approach will be
DO NOT mention any other contractors.
Offer to meet him at the property at 6am. That is not a joke. He can probably meet you at 6am or when it is first getting light outside . That way he can look over the job, THEN he will go to his current job site at 7 or 7:30am..... and then get his bid to you later that night or the next night. Right now you are implying you want him to take time away from a job he currently needs to be on to meet him at noon or 1pm to bid on a job he “might get” and he needs to compete with at least 2 other contractors.
Last but not least, keep your initial request very simple with a few bullet points of what you ultimately want done from a 40,000 foot level. I have a leaking roof, some windows that need to be replaced and the garage may need to be flattened, do you do that sort of work on a triplex? Cool. I know you probably have other projects going on so I can actually meet you at the property at 6am before we both go to work, if that fits your schedule.
You come to him with detailed SOW type of request screams, “I’m an analytical controlling potentially difficult consumer to work with.... a lot of these GCs are used to being the Alpha.
You practically told him, here’s the schematics I have already diagramed as well as the blueprint you will need to use. I know you’re the GC, but this is my property and I expect things done a certain way (my way). I also have multiple checks and balances built in and I’m letting you know that I can and will hold up your money if things do not go EXACTLY the way I want them to go WHEN I want them to go, I hope we are clear on this buddy.
Although it is good to know exactly what you want, you came across as way to overbearing for him.

16 Reply
Dustin P.
Realtor · Tempe, AZ · Member since 2017 · 541 posts · 442 votes
6y
At least you have the other two coming. It sounds like this guy wouldn't have been a good fit for you anyway
5 Reply
Tristan Colborg
OP
Real Estate Broker · Commerce City, CO · Member since 2018 · 107 posts · 55 votes
6y
@Brian Garlington thanks for the information I appreciate the advice. I will definitely use it going forward and will try to be vaguer about what I am looking to have done. So at what point do I provide a detailed scope of work so both the GC and I are on the same page as what needs to be completed.
1 Reply
Steven Lowe
Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 448 posts · 320 votes
6y
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Originally posted by @Steven Lowe:
@Chris Mason Sounds like they didn't want to get into a bidding war with multiple other contractors or spend hours filling out a detailed bid form. I can relate. I wouldn't do that either. Don't take it personally, there are only so many projects a contractor can do at a time. Just keep looking for the right one. My only criticism of their response would be to perhaps handle it more diplomatically. They were straight forward and got right to the point.

So Steve do I just ask for them to come look at the project and give a general quote? Is it not good to give them a detailed scope of work? So if I am in town only for a couple of days do I just schedule multiple contractors out there and not let them know I am getting other bids?

Can you give me some details on the project? Is it a gut rehab? What type of property? Is it a flip or a buy and hold? Are there approved architectural drawings with a schedule of fixtures and finishes?

Don't lie to them about getting multiple bids but don't go out of your way to mention it either. It's a given you are getting more than one bid.

0 Reply
Tristan Colborg
OP
Real Estate Broker · Commerce City, CO · Member since 2018 · 107 posts · 55 votes
6y
@Steven Lowe are you legitimately asking or are you referring to the questions a contractor could ask to get more details? So Steve at what point do we actually create a detailed scope of work so that the contractor and I are on the same page?
0 Reply
Steven Lowe
Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 448 posts · 320 votes
6y
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
@Steven Lowe are you legitimately asking or are you referring to the questions a contractor could ask to get more details? So Steve at what point do we actually create a detailed scope of work so that the contractor and I are on the same page?

I'm asking so I can advise you on how to approach contractors and your answers will help me comment on how to craft a specific approach. I'm a GC myself.
Is it a gut rehab? What type of property? Is it a flip or a buy and hold? Are there approved architectural drawings with a schedule of fixtures and finishes?
0 Reply
Tristan Colborg
OP
Real Estate Broker · Commerce City, CO · Member since 2018 · 107 posts · 55 votes
6y
@Steven Lowe it is a triplex with up down units. Looking to have items fixed from the Home Inspection, as well as make some upgrades to the interior of the house to bring up to more modern day standards. It will include both except and interior work.
Exterior work includes fixing siding/soffit and fascia issues. Repairing gutters. Installing windows and window wells to basement windows.
Interior work includes replacing current federal Pacific electrical sub panels for each unit. Re-tiling two of the bathroom units, and installing new fixtures. Installing new LVP flooring throughout. Prep/paint interior. Installing new light fixtures. Painting cabinets, etc...
I have a pretty good idea on the selection of materials and finishes to be used for the job but I am open to recommendations from the GC.
Hopefully this helps.
0 Reply
Caleb Heimsoth
Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2016 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
@Tristan Colborg. You mentioned 2 other companies bidding the same project. You provided your own scope of work. Most contractors won’t like either of those things. You can get multiple bids but I wouldn’t be so
Obvious about it.
The contractor realizes he has 1/3 chance to get the job if not worse odds. Then from the way you interacted they probably assume you’re going to be very picky about lots of stuff. If I was the contractor and I was already busy, I would have probably passed or charged 200 bucks for my bid.
1 Reply
Todd Rasmussen
Rental Property Investor · Clarksville, TN · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
@Tristan Colborg
Your email comes off as very particular which is not going to be indicative of the easiest customer for a contractor when the construction industry is booming. You are looking for an important part of your team, and it seems like this guy is not a good match. Just keep looking and you'll find one that understands what you are trying to do. I would not have gone out of my way to talk about the other bids nor provided a form. Just give them your scope during the walkthrough and ask for a line item bid as a starting point. They probably have their own way of estimating that may or may not line up with your forms and contractors as a general rule are not great at paperwork and the added time and stress is not worth adding to their already filled schedule.
If you try not to come on as strong, you'll get a little more interest and you can always ask for further clarifications if you need to after you get the initial quote. Once you work with someone and it all goes well, they'll keep bidding your work.
2 Reply
Steven Lowe
Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 448 posts · 320 votes
6y
Tristan, what I would do differently is I would ask the contractors for bids in their formats instead of forcing them to use yours. I would also not advertise that you're seeking multiple bids, that should be a given. I realize it is hard to decipher multiple formats but trust me, contractors won't like having to figure out how to tailor their bids to fit into your format. It also is not appealing to put in hours of work on a bid knowing it's going to just get shopped and you will have to be the lowest bidder to get the work. That just screams "control freak" and "pain in the @$$". Right now there is a lot of work out there and contractors will seek out the low hanging fruit first...that is, projects that pay well and clients that are easy to work with.
Plus, contractors will assess a "Pain In The @$$ Tax". Meaning they will charge more for working with someone they perceive as being difficult.

If you're doing a rehab project with approved drawings then it becomes easier. Just send them a bid set. Your drawings will be the foundation of the scope of work and your agreement with the contractor. Just make sure your agreement says "as per approved drawings dated XYZ".
4 Reply
Chris MasonPro Member
Moderator
Lender · CA · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 10k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Originally posted by @Chris Mason:
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:
Originally posted by @Chris Mason:
Originally posted by @Tristan Colborg:

@Chris Mason if you are implying for me to pick up a hammer and do the work, that isn't easy since this is an out of state property. .

No, not implying you should pick up a hammer at all. Supply/demand for skilled labor is out of whack, in favor of the general contractors. More general contractors will change the dynamic a bit, so that hopefully in 3 or 5 or 10 years they can't just blow you off for getting a 2nd opinion. That was my point in encouraging young folks to pick up a hammer. Bring balance to the force, etc.
1 Reply
Steven Lowe
Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 448 posts · 320 votes
6y
There will always be a shortage of skilled labor. That's been the case since the beginning of...skilled labor. :)
1 Reply
Jim Goebel
Real Estate Investor · Des Moines, IA · Member since 2016 · 922 posts · 533 votes
6y
@Tristan Colborg

@Chris Mason

Chris, I disagree substantially with your tone and advice except for one item.

First, Tristan is 100% doing the right thing by getting prepared to negotiate. That's the nature of negotiation and he will without question have better results by doing this. Second, most construction engineering programs (ie: college undergraduate programs) are training folks (future GCs, and other leaders in the building industry) to do something akin to what Tristan did (or at least, tried to do), which is to put together a scope of work and facilitate a competitive bidding process. These programs are best able to train folks who will be far ahead of their competition, and providing value to the market, by being prepared with a scope of work and getting competitive bidding going. Third, the A/E field, and many online marketplaces exist to post design docs, and do exactly what Tristan's setting out to do. ISqFt is one platform of a few that do this, and it's common.

It's as though you are advocating that Tristan doesn't do exactly what your dad should be doing, as a GC, to ensure a competitive bidding environment.
That said, I think the advice for Tristan to get 'hands on' is apt, and very good. Tristan, when you're starting, that hands on experience gives you credibility in dealing with building folks, but it also let's you split up a project into its sub parts better. That way, you don't need the GC, who you pay to know when to bring in the plumber. You know when you need a plumber, and you bring them in.

@Steven Lowe
Tristan, I believe some of Steven's feedback is spot on in terms of some very slight course correction. For instance, some contractors can add value by generating their own scope of work independent of what you've already done. Don't be so rigid as to not allow for that and invite it. Next, sure, letting someone know they need to be competitive is apt, however I usually like to do that in person, as dropping a hint. Make them feel special, and advertising that you're bidding the job to 10 people really just screams that there's a good chance they won't get the project and their time may be wasted. It's a subtle difference, but by signaling that they need to be competitive, vs. outright saying it, I think you'll find better results.

4 Reply
Kenneth Mooney
Rental Property Investor · Augusta, GA · Member since 2016 · 348 posts · 171 votes
6y
@Chris Mason interesting perspective and makes some sense. My market is similar, huge shortage on labor. I think I would struggle finding someone with that as an initial e-mail as well. Even though, I think that having that level of detail is actually very beneficial for OP. This is a prime example of where knowing your business and knowing what to present to GC and what to hold back for personal use is essential.
1 Reply
Michael Noto
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
@Tristan Colborg The contractor probably looked at it like he had a 33% shot of getting the job based on what you told him regarding the other contractors coming to give a bid and decided it was not worth his time. I wouldn't look into it any more than that.
1 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.