All Forum Posts by: George W.

My main business is the plumbing business. But I also own and operate a backhoe for excavation and trenching. 

Back to the less is more logic, most contractors that you're calling will assume that the financing of the project is not an issue and already figured out to some degree. 

Not saying that you don't have the capital but to me a major red flag is when some one is over top with assuring I will get paid. Everytime I've ever been burned was when I was assured I'd be paid a 100 times.

As for getting phone calls returned sometimes its more about how things are worded. Like Tony mentioned "investor friendly" does not sound good. Saying "I'm flipping a property", also can instantly siphon you out as a prospective client. "Im looking to rehab a home" would sound much better in my opinion. 

There is an extreme shortage of skilled workers, schools have done a great job at convincing people that college is the only way to make a living the last couple decades. You will not be able to help your contractor find skilled workers that is 100% out of your control.

As far as volume goes, my best suggestion is to not tell prospective contractors that you're even a investor at all on their 1st project with you. Less info is more. If they ask then don't lie but, Alot of contractors select their customers in the same way a landlord should select their tennats. Alot of contractors want little to do with investors for various reasons. Especially if you're price shopping or trying to justify that they should charge less because you'll have volume of work etc. 

in the sense of a business why would you trade volume for profit margins? Think if you had 100 rentals and cashflow $100 each. Sure you could make $10,000/mo but you could also have 33 units that cashflow $300/mo and make the same $10,000 with 67 less headaches to worry about every month. The same logic applies to owning a small contracting business. 

Now picture owning a quaility construction, electric, plumbing or hvac company etc. Would you rather be obligated to work littleraly non-stop to make money? Or would you rather only do profitable jobs and work less to make the same cash? Then you have time to pursue more profitable jobs and free time with your family.

alot of the problems people have with contractors is because they price shop so much that it becomes a race to the bottom for the contractors. The lowest price is the going out of business rate in the trades. If your jobs don't sound profitable to a prospective contractor then they probably will not want you as a customer unless they are desperate.

Not to sound mean but to me it sounds like your parents are in a tough time. Tough times will make people do some desperate things. 

If i were in your situation I'd try my best to help them but I'd also tread very carefully. One lesson I've learned with family is not to lend them anything you arent okay with getting back.

If Theyll reimburse you $150 take it and run. Most home warranty companies I've ever seen send their own "contractors"  who are usually unlicensed or drunks and do shady work. They don't exactly tend to want to pay for quaility contractors. 

I drive several different vehicles doing what I do. My favorite to work out of is my ford cab and chassis 4x4 with a reading utility body. It's just very versatile. Things a tank and can tow whatever I throw at it trailer wise including 5th wheeler. Stores 98% of tools and things I need day to day. 

Get a reputable structural engineer to look at it if you can. Otherwise a mason would be able to give you a better idea of cost. Cost can vary largely depending on a number of factors. We dont have anywhere enough info to even give you a ball park. 

Just because an offer was accepted doesnt mean that the deal will go through by any means. Not sure an exact number but real estate deals do fall through. Several times properties I looked at and got out bid on fell through after they accepted a higher bid in the last few years. 

I'd probably venture to say that someone who blindly bids on a property hours after it goes on the market, is a lot more likely to fall through during the inspection period. It's a competitive time to buy right now in most places but you can't expect a agent to just drop whatever they're doing at a moments notice to do an offer. 

The Internet age has made people way too impatient. Everybody wants instant gratification thanks to it. With how busy the market is most sellers arent going to instantly jump at the first offer anyways.  

I'd say if it took a whole day to get back to you then it may be time to talk about it but several hours is not unreasonable at all

Personally I prefer Weil-mclain for steam boilers. Burnham is also a good choice. Both manufacturers make excellent boilers. 

I'd offer to assist you but I dont work anywhere near that far north in NJ, but if you go on weilmclain's webiste they have a  contractor locator. 

You can easily find a contractor that's licensed and bonded there. It even tells you if they offer financing and are NATE certified. Although all of that should be verified before you hire. 

A sure fire way to have issues is to get a handyman or thumbtack person lol. You need to pull permits and have a chimney verification preformed in NJ if you want it done right.