| Author | Message | ||
     callista Citizen Username: Callista Post Number: 53 Registered: 7-2001 |
Why does it seem to be that when you hire people to do some sort of home fix it, be it painting, remodeling, etc., you have to be on top of them to get decent work? It almost takes as much out of me emotionally as it does financially. Is it any better if you have tons of money to spend, or is it the same? As a professional, I just want to do my best work every time out. I'm not going to do it quickly, hope no one notices, and collect the money. When i"ve noticed shoddy work, i point it out (feeling guilty...How dumb is that?) and an excuse is made about how it really IS supposed to be that way, and then they fix it. I don't like the policework and badgering that goes with the process. Very uncomfortable. There. Done venting. Thanks.callista | ||
| Shanabana Citizen Username: Shanabana Post Number: 1117 Registered: 10-2005  |
Maybe the problem is skill? Maybe the person is just not really top notch? Maybe you didn't pay top dollar for a high end job? Basically, as with cars, food, haircuts, in home improvement, you get what you pay for. If you paid for high end work, then expect it. Get what you paid for. If you went with the low bidder, or one of the mega crew patch-and-dash businesses around here, then I'm afraid you may have made your bed... Or, maybe you got unlucky and got some lazy f--k who just doesn't give a d-mn. We hired a mason a while back who was like that. He never managed the people he sent, and acted astonsihed when we pointed out how lame the job was. Needless to say we got them to do the stuff over that was do-overable, and never hired him again. Good luck. Shop wisely and stick to your guns. | ||
| Rich Citizen Username: Veneto Post Number: 27 Registered: 5-2006 |
There's a flaw in the business model for contractors. Ideally, a person with a strong knowledge of the trades, and just as important good management, communication, and orginizational skills should run a contracting business. The problem is that person is a rarity. People who grivitate toward a career in business do so because they either lack the tallent to work a trade, have no desire to work a trade or are more attracted by the organizational challenges of the business world. People who choose a trade have some kind of "knack" for it, don't want to deal with the BS of the business world or don't have the organizational skills to work as a business person. As a landlord and laundromat owner I do a lot of my own work, but also hire a lot of people. Depending on who I hire, it sometimes is more stressful to have people working for you. But whether you hire someone to work on your house or hire someone to work as an employee in your company; you've still hired an employee. Employees need direction, supervision, encouragement and an occasional kick in the •••. The management responsibility for temporary contracted employees is not very different from permanent full time hires. It would be great to contract for work to be done in your house and never have to get involved as a manager, but that doesn't happen. Good luck and know that most people feel your pain. | ||
| Shanabana Citizen Username: Shanabana Post Number: 1119 Registered: 10-2005 |
I don't know, Rich, that contractors have a monopoly on not being strong in all suits. Some professors (my trade) are great communicators, awesome teachers, fascinating at communicating their knowldge. Others are great at writing, and don't really care too much for teaching. Others still care for both, but aren't always that great. The same would go for good chefs who start restaurants, etc. A contractor might be good at his trade, very efficient and good a keeping the crew up to snuff, but then fail on the financial side. It takes time to learn business. For some poeple it takes a long time. Most contractors have no training in it, unlike white-collar buisinessmen and some managers. The point is we're all people, with flaws. A customer SHOULD get what she pays for, tho... |
