DIY General Contractor? | Nick Schiffer Podcast
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- Опубліковано 8 лис 2020
- #28 Nick Schiffer Podcast. Nick Schiffer answers your construction, renovation, and business questions in-depth on Coffee Break. If you have a question leave it in the comments below. This week the question is:
What advice do you have for someone building a home as their own general contractor hiring out subs to do some of the work and doing some of the work themself?
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DIY General Contractor? | Nick Schiffer Podcast #28 - Навчання та стиль
I am an engineer and project manager in another field, but I feel that I can relate. Running a job, be it a home build, commercial project or gold mine construction in my case, communication is key. I spend the better part of my day on the phone or corresponding via email about various aspects of the jobs. Second to communication is anticipation. Anticipating what is coming next, how is this trade going to affect that trade, what is this seemingly small change going to do the grander schedule, what kinks are coming down the pipeline that no one has noticed, who is responsible for what, structural missed this, better let mechanical know so they can clear. The list goes on. For me, anticipating is a huge part of my job. I don't want any problems, because problems cost money and more importantly time. I want to minimize problems. Problems are my enemy. Problems make customers worry. Worried customers tend to find more problems. I start to worry about the customer worrying. Did I miss something else? It's a vicious cycle. Third, scheduling. Allow for some float. Just because one trade is scheduled for x amount of days doesn't mean something might come up, don't schedule too tight. I speed a lot of time working with the calendar trying to hit ship dates, landing buyouts on site on the correct day so they don't get damaged by this trade or that trade and having them ready for the appropriate trade, lighting a fire under some vendors to make sure they hit ship dates, making sure we are hitting major milestones, looking to where we can trim a few days hear and there, this guy needs an extra two days, but this guy says he can trim 3 days, that kind of thing. Don't be afraid to be a thorn in someone's side. Last but not least, as Nick said, be VERY clear with your expectations. Let everyone know EXACLTY what you want done and how your want it done if applicable. Nothing leads to frustration more on all sides than muddy communication of expectations. Put it in writing is something differs from the norm, a process is altered, etc.. Be VERY clear. Ask questions. Question the trades (this may fluster them, but do it anyway, it's your money) This is paramount. It's your money, make sure you get exactly what you are dreaming of in your head. Sorry for the long comment, this video really resonated with me. Don't be afraid to do this, it really is a fun process. The reward is satisfying.
Edit: As I thought about it more last night, I thought I would add something. Listen to the people in the room, subs, contractors, suppliers, etc... I know that we all want to be the smartest person in the room, but the fact is, there is always someone smarter in the room. Listen to the guys putting it together. Years of experience on their end can save money and time on your end. You will learn more from listening in the field than what is printed in books. Trust me on this one.
Pretty inspiring, man. Thanks for taking the time and making this video!
I have hired some contractors that have a good reputation. 5 projects so far went well. Research is good! I hired Concrete contractors & out side painting contractors. The paint contractor found bad siding. I knew that. He fixed it while painting! The 2 concrete contractors were very good!
fabulous brother for life
Thank you for the response. Much of what you mentioned I expected, but there was quite a bit more that I wasn't fully aware of. Part of it for me is having those high expectations and wanting to make sure they are communicated and executed. The other part of it is as you mentioned, taking the savings from the GC side and putting it towards the subs. One more side of it is the satisfaction of having done it oneself, or the disappointment of trying and not getting what you expected.
Sir, I've heard many people saying they work in real estate. Its a broad subset. Can you please compile what kinds of works that get into "real estate" set?
1:23 you lost me there...
I’m the GC on my new home build right now and I’m a chick🤷🏼♀️
The Cape is loaded with vacation homes folks want to handyman or general contract on their own . More often then not this results in less quality work. I truly don’t believe they save anything long term . They will be paying again .
Hahaha... People don't respect GCs... They get what they deserve
I understand your sentiment, I'm a painter. It's the first thing people think "I can do it myself, it's only paint". But most people have been screwed over by gc's
Because being a gc requires a real working knowledge of systematic building, quality control, a bs meter and realistic scheduling. 95% of gcs arent hiring project managers or super intendants they do it all.
There is a ton of gcs that are chasing cheap money that have no idea what they are doing. The number of times i was doing sub work and point out code violations to the foreman and the contractor gets pissed and says it good enough. Then they fail an inspection and the foreman and I laugh.