Asking for a construction bid.... Made the hard way.

[Limitool]

I started and built a (922 sq. ft.) small home on my property 25 years ago. The outside was 100% completed and about 80% of the inside. It has a 33' X 8' roofed deck also. The 16' down to 8' cathedral ceiling has an open loft over half the interior space (300 sq. ft.). Bedroom and bath under the loft. I built the home for one of my 8 children who then backed out wanting it. I quit. Dropped the tools and haven't touched it for 25 years. Now my 41 yr. old son would like it if we could repair and finish it.

The entire home roof has not shown one leak in 25 years (shingles) due to the steep pitch. But the porch roof needs to be re-decked and soffit fixed. The interior needs 7 sheets of drywall installed to finish. My daughter tried to help and surprise me with mudding some drywall seams and failed horribly. She watched me 25 years ago and thought it looked easy. It is if you KNOW HOW.

Now I want to re-deck porch roof and then install a new steel roof over the entire home. And I want the last 7 sheets of drywall installed and all seams finished correctly and a single coat of primer put on. I want someone else to do the roofs and drywall. I'll finish the rest. So to finish I was reaching out to several folks who do construction and home repairs.

An appointment was made Sunday morning. In pulls a truck with two guys. I go out to greet them. AND THEY HAND ME PHONE WITH SOMEONE REPEATING HELLO, HELLO can you HEAR ME...! I look at them and said what the hell is this? And he wants me to take the phone with this damn women talking on the speaker mode. I finally said what..! She states "the two workers cannot speak any English". So I ask "then what the hell are they doing here?" She states "Their there to give you a quote on the work you want done". So me being me say's "Then why the hell am I talking to you?". She says "they only speak Spanish and you tell me what you want and I'll tell them... ok?"

You talk about something so easy made so hard this was it. It was so difficult getting the message(s) across and understood. Fast forward 30 minutes and my hairs are standing on end we're DONE...! Off they go.

At 7:00 am my phone is going off and it's from them. I don't answer. Then #1 text rolls in with the quote: AROUND $13,000 and done in 2 weeks. Then followed with #2 text quickly. We'd like to go with you and pick out the material needed. Followed with #3 text. Please bring your money to pay. Again followed by #4 text. WE ARE A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY..! Needless to say.... I ended this business venture and I didn't need a third party to translate. I hope I never have to go through that again.

 

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[Oregon Viking]

I started and built a (922 sq. ft.) small home on my property 25 years ago. The outside was 100% completed and about 80% of the inside. It has a 33' X 8' roofed deck also. The 16' down to 8' cathedral ceiling has an open loft over half the interior space (300 sq. ft.). Bedroom and bath under the loft. I built the home for one of my 8 children who then backed out wanting it. I quit. Dropped the tools and haven't touched it for 25 years. Now my 41 yr. old son would like it if we could repair and finish it.

The entire home roof has not shown one leak in 25 years (shingles) due to the steep pitch. But the porch roof needs to be re-decked and soffit fixed. The interior needs 7 sheets of drywall installed to finish. My daughter tried to help and surprise me with mudding some drywall seams and failed horribly. She watched me 25 years ago and thought it looked easy. It is if you KNOW HOW.

Now I want to re-deck porch roof and then install a new steel roof over the entire home. And I want the last 7 sheets of drywall installed and all seams finished correctly and a single coat of primer put on. I want someone else to do the roofs and drywall. I'll finish the rest. So to finish I was reaching out to several folks who do construction and home repairs.

An appointment was made Sunday morning. In pulls a truck with two guys. I go out to greet them. AND THEY HAND ME PHONE WITH SOMEONE REPEATING HELLO, HELLO can you HEAR ME...! I look at them and said what the hell is this? And he wants me to take the phone with this damn women talking on the speaker mode. I finally said what..! She states "the two workers cannot speak any English". So I ask "then what the hell are they doing here?" She states "Their there to give you a quote on the work you want done". So me being me say's "Then why the hell am I talking to you?". She says "they only speak Spanish and you tell me what you want and I'll tell them... ok?"

You talk about something so easy made so hard this was it. It was so difficult getting the message(s) across and understood. Fast forward 30 minutes and my hairs are standing on end we're DONE...! Off they go.

At 7:00 am my phone is going off and it's from them. I don't answer. Then #1 text rolls in with the quote: AROUND $13,000 and done in 2 weeks. Then followed with #2 text quickly. We'd like to go with you and pick out the material needed. Followed with #3 text. Please bring your money to pay. Again followed by #4 text. WE ARE A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY..! Needless to say.... I ended this business venture and I didn't need a third party to translate. I hope I never have to go through that again.

Don't do it Brad!!
These guys even licensed, bonded contractors? I'd help you out if I was closer.... although I don't hold a Tennessee contractors license... Learn Spanish? HEH!!!!
I trained a guy from Mexico as a carpenter and he is now top guy on my crew.... soon to get his own Contractors license, good for him as the money that can be made is getting insane.. maybe he sub contract for me? I learned some Spanish and his English improved!

 

[releventchair]

I started and built a (922 sq. ft.) small home on my property 25 years ago. The outside was 100% completed and about 80% of the inside. It has a 33' X 8' roofed deck also. The 16' down to 8' cathedral ceiling has an open loft over half the interior space (300 sq. ft.). Bedroom and bath under the loft. I built the home for one of my 8 children who then backed out wanting it. I quit. Dropped the tools and haven't touched it for 25 years. Now my 41 yr. old son would like it if we could repair and finish it.

The entire home roof has not shown one leak in 25 years (shingles) due to the steep pitch. But the porch roof needs to be re-decked and soffit fixed. The interior needs 7 sheets of drywall installed to finish. My daughter tried to help and surprise me with mudding some drywall seams and failed horribly. She watched me 25 years ago and thought it looked easy. It is if you KNOW HOW.

Now I want to re-deck porch roof and then install a new steel roof over the entire home. And I want the last 7 sheets of drywall installed and all seams finished correctly and a single coat of primer put on. I want someone else to do the roofs and drywall. I'll finish the rest. So to finish I was reaching out to several folks who do construction and home repairs.

An appointment was made Sunday morning. In pulls a truck with two guys. I go out to greet them. AND THEY HAND ME PHONE WITH SOMEONE REPEATING HELLO, HELLO can you HEAR ME...! I look at them and said what the hell is this? And he wants me to take the phone with this damn women talking on the speaker mode. I finally said what..! She states "the two workers cannot speak any English". So I ask "then what the hell are they doing here?" She states "Their there to give you a quote on the work you want done". So me being me say's "Then why the hell am I talking to you?". She says "they only speak Spanish and you tell me what you want and I'll tell them... ok?"

You talk about something so easy made so hard this was it. It was so difficult getting the message(s) across and understood. Fast forward 30 minutes and my hairs are standing on end we're DONE...! Off they go.

At 7:00 am my phone is going off and it's from them. I don't answer. Then #1 text rolls in with the quote: AROUND $13,000 and done in 2 weeks. Then followed with #2 text quickly. We'd like to go with you and pick out the material needed. Followed with #3 text. Please bring your money to pay. Again followed by #4 text. WE ARE A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY..! Needless to say.... I ended this business venture and I didn't need a third party to translate. I hope I never have to go through that again.

Easy tiger.

Today cost is the big deal. Regardless of who (qualified of course) does the work.
Followed by availability. Time.

It is crazy finding a contractor within a year around me. Unless you are paying a premium.

Spanish speaking people did my roof last summer. One spoke some English. All did great work.
Through the trees a roof far bigger than mine was banged out in a little over half a day. Mariachi music started around noon and they were done shortly after. I'll wager they did good work too. Yes tools and material were staged prior.

Been after a pole barn quite a while.
Covid time? Top two builders (and most expensive) didn't even acknowledge my request for bids.
I dropped a different outfit that couldn't figure out the permits. Nothing to do with Spanish there.
Got lucky on the outfit I found as the crew did super work. Missfits that might struggle with other things but a crew I think very highly of . Told them anytime anyone says they're not the best or if they aren't working for the same company even they can ask me for the key to show their work.
The company though took months beyond original plan. They didn't add a crew as planned.



Neighbor had a guy from Guatamala (?) who was a factory rat till he realized his roll in things after a discharge.
He and his wife and now a nephew i think do roofs. Did the siding on the neighbors house last summer. I forget how the neighbor encountered him but it was fortunate. A reference perhaps after the neighbor got into the project of encountering uneven stud layouts ect.
Good price and very conscientious work.
English? I don't know. He spoke some.
I'm 99% sure the neighbor said the guy had recently passed his citizen requirements and test and ceremony.

But I'd struggle with any language barrier for him to do my siding.( Which reminds me. I wonder how far out he is if he hasn't retired.)
But he'd build a barn too. I lucked out and found an outfit that did great work. I'm still delighted.

Ask around local among other contractors. I know you are remote when home but someone is doing good work around you somewhere that isn't hanging out in an office, a custom mega project or the nearest home show.

 

[Oregon Viking]

If they don't speak any English how did they pass the test for the contractors license? Around here construction without a license is a 5,000 dollar fine. Without a license you have no recourse... can't go after their bond or insurance if they F something up!