All Forum Posts by: Matthew Paul

The tank size doesnt matter as much as the perk rate of the soil . 10 gallons goes in and it displaces 10 gallons into the drain field . The tank holds the solids to allow them to settle and break down .

2 Votes

Estimating is the key word . You either have paint left over or you run out . Same with caulk . I

If you are paying a flat price to get the house painted , who cares how much paint he uses , as long as its done . If you are paying time and materials , take the unopened paint back .

0 Votes

Better to over estimate and keep working than to run out and have to stop , and then get more .

4 Votes

Sounds like you rented to a hooker . Good luck with that

3 Votes

Modesto/Merced, California

Sounds like you need to raise your rates .

Or if things are that slow in the off season , shut it down , if the rent is canceled out by the cleaning , you are still losing money , electric and wear and tear .

1 Vote

Quote from @Steve Rogers:

Quote from @Matthew Paul:

You are not going to save any money by supplying the materials . The contractor will make the same either way . Probably more .

I guess when you go to a restaurant , you bring your own steak and ask them to cook it ? Some restaurants will let you bring a bottle of wine , but charge you a corkage fee.

When I run into a customer that wants to supply materials , my estimate is over then and there . Learned my lesson on that in the early 1980's .

Contractors are running a business , we mark up materials , we mark up labor , we mark up our subs . Thats how we make a profit .

If you supply the materials , and you order the wrong stuff , or dont order enough , and the contractor is there with 5 guys and cant work due to your mistake . You are still responsible to pay for the day for 5 men . If you buy the expensive kitchen cabinets , and the contractor accidently drops a $900 section . Does he pay ? Now if he supplied them he has some mark up to cover that , if not he takes a hit .

In other words, if they supply the material you can't charge a 30% material markup.

Nothing to do with steaks.

People understand that contractors are not interested in saving them money.

That is why they hire day laborers.

And thats why they get a crappy job .

Now , day laborers are great , clearing out a hoarder house , doing a complete demo . But once you start putting things together , they are useless .

We get a discount on materials that you wont get until you are spending $50K a month with the supplier . That is a benefit to the contractor .

Contractors provide a finished product , we are not labor suppliers .

Customers with this attitude are the type that contractors avoid like the plague .

0 Votes

Quote from @Tyrell Henry:

Quote from @Matthew Paul:

For someone with no experience doing a BRRR investment out of state EVERYTHING has to go right . You have to find a great deal , in a good area , find a great contractor who can get things done fast and priced right , you have to then find a great tenant who will pay the rent .

This is hard to do , even harder long distance '

As a contractor I can tell you this , rehabs almost always go over budget , and take longer than expected . There is always a delay on supplies , problems that come up , permits and inspections .etc .

Investing is NEVER a sure thing if it was everybody would be doing it .

Thank you for that, i'm not sure how I will figure this out but this is something that I have to make work. If anything I may have to take my cuts and bruises locally before out of state.

A good way to learn is in your own back yard .

0 Votes

Quote from @Steve Rogers:

Quote from @Matthew Paul:

You are not going to save any money by supplying the materials . The contractor will make the same either way . Probably more .

I guess when you go to a restaurant , you bring your own steak and ask them to cook it ? Some restaurants will let you bring a bottle of wine , but charge you a corkage fee.

When I run into a customer that wants to supply materials , my estimate is over then and there . Learned my lesson on that in the early 1980's .

Contractors are running a business , we mark up materials , we mark up labor , we mark up our subs . Thats how we make a profit .

In other words, if they supply the material you can't charge a 30% material markup.

Nothing to do with steaks.

If I mark up materials 30% thats probably what they would pay at Home Depot or the lumber yard , They will probably pay more , and pay for delivery . Never in my 40 years as a contractor has the customer supplied materials .

Contracting is about making the business money , not saving the customer money .

0 Votes

All Forum Posts by: Matthew Paul

Matthew Paul has started 166 posts and replied 6748 times.

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Post: Contractor says I can't buy my own materials