Thread: Pay attention to what they are saying!

I recently bought another home. This was in the pits. Lots of mold, outdated small spaces and a yard that makes the amazon look like a zen garden. To say it needed work would be understatement.

I basically ripped everything out and have had a guy I know doing work on it (kind of). Anyway, when we started to talk about what needed to be done he shared my enthusiasm. He claimed to pay attention to detail, spoke VERY highly of his work, he went on and on about how much he could do and how well he could do it.

Me being the person I am, watched him like a cat watches a guy eating a tuna sandwich.

Days passed, then weeks passed and stuff was not getting done. I approached him a few times and said I was not comfortable with the pace of progress. His rebut, almost robotic, well these things take time. Aside from that his other response would be, "that it was MY fault it was taking to long. I kept changing things here and there." Maybe I changed a few things but nothing that would have made set backs for weeks.

Before we started, I asked if it could be done by July 1. He's answer, "It'll be close but I don't see a problem." June 27, he and his wife took a 2 week vacation that had been planned for over a year (why was I not notified about this?) He was supposed to return today, and said the weather was holding them up. I spoke with his daughter over the weekend and she claimed, "they are thinking about staying for a few extra days." I've had my questions about his honesty, not to mention his integrity, and this sealed the deal.

After many debates and him always assuring me it'll get done, I finally gave him the axe. I can't take being blatantly lied to. Now, lots of people are coming up to me telling me what a crook this guy is and how much of a hack he is. I'm thinking to myself, why didn't these people say anything before now? But I guess I would have done it anyway, seeing as I REALLY wanted to believe this guy.

So aside from me venting, the moral is "Never trust a person who speaks very highly of themselves. It's usually because no one else can!"

Originally Posted by SDSinc

Yo. I was taking my kid to church camp today off Florida Ave and saw your van. I did a drive by and was going to say whats up but I didn't see you out and about....your not kidding about the work....I thought you might be cleaning out a foreclosure. Nice place though, well, will be when your done busten your arse.

Cool. I'm actually staying at my folks house, as that house is not livable. I wish I could have shown you what has happened over the last 2 months. It's a freaking mess. But I will be happy with my new almost custom home.

Originally Posted by shane deubell

Yep. had a new shower tiled 3-4 days,1 week max turned into a month. Then this cat wanted to put a new roof on, LOL i cant imagine how long that would take.

Its nice though to see the experience from consumer side, it shows me how i can improve as a contractor.

That's awesome, someone not doing an exceptional job and expecting to get more work out of you.
And you're absolutely right, this experience will help me tighten up my ship.

Originally Posted by Tommy C

I hope you feel better after letting all that out! What a nightmare... I have been there and done that.

You said, "another house"... are you flipping this house? Is there still money in that?

No just my second home. And if I wrote EVERYTHING that has gone wrong, no one would read the thread... it'd be to long.

Originally Posted by Matt Strader

the moral is "Never trust a person who speaks very highly of themselves. It's usually because no one else can!"

A lesson that can be learned by observing the industry bulletin boards as well as home contractors.