"Alexander Galkin" wrote in
message ...
I will draw the plan and take care of all permits. I have
pretty much
experience with applying for permits and inspections. My
township local
inspectors know me in person as they visited my house
several times each
inspecting previous projects. I need a contractor to perform
a very specific
job: excavate soil for addition, build foundation and
possible frame floor.
I don't need anything else and I will be doing rest myself.
Obviously I do
not need GC.


You probably dont need a GC.. in some cases it pays to hire
a local GC to look over your situation and advise only
however... these have experience that you dont and a good one
can be worth his weight in gold for a few hundred dollars his
advice will cost you.

other times it could be a waste of money.

You really never know until the work starts if the guy you hire will work out.
The friend I hired turned out to be reckless and perhaps dangerous as well. He
framed an entire 30' wall, including two windows (which he - and I - did
nicely) and was confident that the two of us could lift it into place
ourselves, or perhaps with one or two other guys. We're talking here about a
30'long 2 x 6 x 10 wall. I couldn't even lift a corner off the ground. When I
told him it should be built in two 15' sections he dismissed my request as
illinformed and illogical. When he realized that even he couldn't lift a
corner he told me I needed to call, that very minute, about 2 guys over. He
said all I needed to do was make them lunch. I was convinced that he was out
of his mind, and was creating a dangerous situation for me and any hapless soul
he wanted to bring over to help.

I convinced him, by being firm, that the wall needed to be slit into two
sections. He was in agreement, but blew up soon after. He couldn't stand me
telling him anything.

After letting him go, I bought some pulleys, rope, and made a lifting machine.
I fixed the first wall, and framed and pulled up the next three all by myself.
It was the greatest experience I've had so far. The walls are straight, tight,
and square, and I feel safer.

I'm just an owner builder. I want to build the whole thing myself, for kicks.
I don't need to be terrorised by people who resent me knowing a little more
about (some of) their craft than they do. This guy had some bad habits and
questionable judgement. I cut him loose at the right time, for sure.

DF


"William Brown" wrote in message
...
In many places in the US you will need a permit, and to
get a permit, you
will have to show them satisfactory plans. So your first
step is to find
someone to design this and draw up the plans; ask him for
recommendations
as to a contractor.

Alexander Galkin wrote:
I want to build a kitchen addition to my house.
Excavation, foundation
and possible floor framing I want to leave to a
contractor. Rest of the
work I will be doing myself. How do I find a good
reputable contractor in
central NJ? I asked several friends of mine, no one built
additions so
they cannot give me any referrals. I had previously very
little and bad
experience with contractors. So this time I want to be
very careful. I
don't want just to open YellowPages and start calling all
building
contractors by alphabet.




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