Finding professional help

So before we go any further on this whole project let's call a spade a ... you know, 40 year old guy that is a little pudgy in the middle and maybe knows a thing or two about swinging a hammer. That, dear reader, is a far cry from "really knowing what you are doing" or even coming close to considering yourself a professional mason and bricklayer.

Over the years I have attempted (and finished) several projects that take more effort than to drill a hole in the wall or fix a leaky faucet. I have built a retaining wall in the front of the house and planted 35 Ficus bushes to fill in the front yard. I designed and built a 14' x 16' bookshelf from scratch (in part to apiece the wifey because I bought a 50" flat screen and it needed a permanent home in the living room). Kitchen Cabinets, built them. Put down tile and grouted, done that.

But there comes a time when you realize that certain things are beyond your scope. The need for proper tools is so great that without them your project takes 5 times the amount to finish. Some of the physical labor is just too darn hard to do by yourself and last and certainly not least, the cost of having to re-purchase the same material again because you screwed up the first go-around can be significant.

As I said, now to professional help. I can appreciate a professional builder. I admire their craftsmanship and ability to create something out of rock, sand and wood. But those guys seem to just live on TV and never show up on my doorstep. My wife and I have re-built an old house and then later a new garage. We interviewed contractors and builders. We got referrals from friends and family and got 3rd party references. Even with all that, our projects never finished on time or within its original budget.

So this time will be different. Part of why the beginning process has taken so long is due to the fact that about 70% of the work will be done by myself and the rest by a contractor. However where do his/her 30% end and my 70% start?

Explaining the whole project to a contractor and then letting them know that you will use them for only a smaller part of what needs to be done is a let down to them. I understand that, but do you have to then front load the project with "start up costs" that makes me wonder if they do it just out of spite? I talked to one guy last week who thanked me for contacting him. He hadn't been working for awhile.

"Let me explain what I want you to do" I said. "I need you to pour the foundation for the project. Clean and simple. Include power and a gas line in the design and make it sturdy enough for the 2000 lbs brick oven to rest comfortably. I gave him every detail on what I need to start "my" first step.

The bid comes back with only half the things I need and by the time all is said and done he wants twice of what he said in the first conversation it would cost. Just one example: Why is it, that the hauling of the dirt from the excavation is not included in the bid? "Oh yeah, well that's extra!" Why??? Isn't the the first step in building a foundation the digging of the layout to the depth required to pour the concrete? "Well, yes." Then why is it that it is not included in your bid and I have to add it on? "Idono!?! Thought it is maybe part of your 70% of the project" Needless to say I did not hire him.

I have however now found a handyman that seems to have it all together. We have been going back and forth for several days with him to hammer out details. We agreed where my 70 starts and his 30 ends. We also agreed that he will not squeeze every last dime out of me, but let me "do my thing". So here is to my new handyman/contractor. May you deliver on your promise!