So I am trying to convert my garage to family room. Due to permit
rules, I have to hire licensed folks for the major parts. It's a
relatively straightforward task, and I want to act as my own general
contractor (I work as a project manager at a bank, and I have some
renovation knowledge).

I need to find someone that can help with some framing and stairs, and
I can't find a "carpenter".

I have brought in 4 guys so far, and every one of them has tried to
estimate the entire job, start to finish. For the last 2, I was very
clear that I only wanted help with the framing. They come back with an
estimate of like $13K or $17K which includes framing, electrical,
HVAC, etc. When I start to tear their estimate into smaller pieces,
like I originally asked, they tell me they aren't interested in such a
small job.

I have no problem hiring one person to do all the work, but I want
visiblity into all the parts so I can gaurantee quality. For instance,
while talking to these contractors, I heard two contractors wanting to
skimp me on the HVAC, and one got a little loose and easy with the
electrical permit rules.

So where can I find a "carpenter"? Seems that everybody is a
"contractor" now. The Yellow Pages don't even list anything under
"Carpenter". What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Chris

"wrldruler" wrote in message
...
So where can I find a "carpenter"? Seems that everybody is a
"contractor" now. The Yellow Pages don't even list anything under
"Carpenter". What am I doing wrong?



Sounds to me like you are looking for a framing contractor.

Most of them do not advertise, have an office or business listing as most of
them work for builders. This is a good business cycle to be looking for one
for a smaller job.

Best suggestion I have is visit some construction sites where framing is
under way and ask to speak to the boss. Be sure to mention the boss in your
first sentence. You do not want it to look like you are stealing workers.

Leave some contact info with anyone who will speak with you. Even if they
don't want the work they may refer you to some one who does.

BTW, everyone is a contractor for the same reason you can not build your own
addition. Namely unnecessary regulation from a government with too much time
on it's hands. I have a contractor license so I speak with first hand
knowledge.

Colbyt

On Fri, 5 Sep 2008 12:16:53 -0700 (PDT), wrldruler
wrote:

I have no problem hiring one person to do all the work, but I want
visiblity into all the parts so I can gaurantee quality. For instance,
while talking to these contractors, I heard two contractors wanting to
skimp me on the HVAC, and one got a little loose and easy with the
electrical permit rules.

Why are two contractors at your house, at the same time, giving
estimates? _Divide and Concur_.!

On Fri, 5 Sep 2008 15:40:49 -0400, "Colbyt"
wrote:

Sounds to me like you are looking for a framing contractor.

Most of them do not advertise, have an office or business listing as most of
them work for builders. This is a good business cycle to be looking for one
for a smaller job.

Best suggestion I have is visit some construction sites where framing is
under way and ask to speak to the boss. Be sure to mention the boss in your
first sentence. You do not want it to look like you are stealing workers.

Around her one can ask for "leader los de Mexicanos". They point the
boss out right way...

"Oren" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 5 Sep 2008 15:40:49 -0400, "Colbyt"
wrote:

Sounds to me like you are looking for a framing contractor.

Most of them do not advertise, have an office or business listing as most
of
them work for builders. This is a good business cycle to be looking for
one
for a smaller job.

Best suggestion I have is visit some construction sites where framing is
under way and ask to speak to the boss. Be sure to mention the boss in
your
first sentence. You do not want it to look like you are stealing workers.

Around her one can ask for "leader los de Mexicanos". They point the
boss out right way..

you're talking to the wrong type of people. you're talking to general
contractors. you want the people they hire, or subcontractors. if you're
looking for just a framer, go to a real lumberyard and ask for a referral.

On Sep 5, 1:10*pm, "charlie"
wrote:
"Oren" wrote in message

...





On Fri, 5 Sep 2008 15:40:49 -0400, "Colbyt"
wrote:

Sounds to me like you are looking for a framing contractor.

Most of them do not advertise, have an office or business listing as most
of
them work for builders. *This is a good business cycle to be looking for
one
for a smaller job.

Best suggestion I have is visit some construction sites where framing is
under way and ask to speak to the boss. Be sure to mention the boss in
your
first sentence. *You do not want it to look like you are stealing workers.

Around her one can ask for "leader los de Mexicanos". They point the
boss out right way..

you're talking to the wrong type of people. you're talking to general
contractors. you want the people they hire, or subcontractors. if you're
looking for just a framer, go to a real lumberyard and ask for a referral..- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yep. They will have lists of people doing that work. Whether those
people have a license to do it is another question. At least that is
where I would start looking.

Harry K

On Sep 5, 2:16*pm, wrldruler wrote:

snip

So where can I find a "carpenter"? Seems that everybody is a
"contractor" now. The Yellow Pages don't even list anything under
"Carpenter". What am I doing wrong?

There are many independent tradesmen that are loyal union members. Cal
the union hall and get some names and phone numbers.

Joe

"Joe" wrote in message
...
On Sep 5, 2:16 pm, wrldruler wrote:

snip

So where can I find a "carpenter"? Seems that everybody is a
"contractor" now. The Yellow Pages don't even list anything under
"Carpenter". What am I doing wrong?

There are many independent tradesmen that are loyal union members. Cal
the union hall and get some names and phone numbers.

Joe

They are in there
Try looking under the heading of Remodels or Home Improvements

wrldruler wrote:

So I am trying to convert my garage to family room. Due to permit
rules, I have to hire licensed folks for the major parts. It's a
relatively straightforward task, and I want to act as my own general
contractor (I work as a project manager at a bank, and I have some
renovation knowledge).

I need to find someone that can help with some framing and stairs, and
I can't find a "carpenter".

I have brought in 4 guys so far, and every one of them has tried to
estimate the entire job, start to finish. For the last 2, I was very
clear that I only wanted help with the framing. They come back with an
estimate of like $13K or $17K which includes framing, electrical,
HVAC, etc. When I start to tear their estimate into smaller pieces,
like I originally asked, they tell me they aren't interested in such a
small job.

I have no problem hiring one person to do all the work, but I want
visiblity into all the parts so I can gaurantee quality. For instance,
while talking to these contractors, I heard two contractors wanting to
skimp me on the HVAC, and one got a little loose and easy with the
electrical permit rules.

So where can I find a "carpenter"? Seems that everybody is a
"contractor" now. The Yellow Pages don't even list anything under
"Carpenter". What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Chris
You don't necessarily need a licensed contractor for this job if your acting
as the general. But you do need to find someone that is knowledgeable and
knows the code in your area. You can try Craigslist.com or something
similar. Have you tried a search on google or yahoo for a handyman or
Framer/Carpenter in your area???

Like myself, I'm a retired General A Contractor (now inactive) but now I do
remodels and other handyman stuff. I don't advertise that I am a licensed
contractor only because I don't want to deal with the bull crap the state
drops on you. Try to find someone like myself that's has the knowledge and
knows code but does it in their spare time. Meanwhile take a look at my
website and let me know what you think.

Good Luck
--
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but you can't make them THINK"
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