Let's talk about clueless DIY, Discount plumbing and Crackhead Engineering!

With the help of a friend (he did most of the work), I managed to tear out a rotten floor and replace a toilet for my parents just before the holiday! This repair was made by the previous homeowner prior to the sale 7 years ago. Long story short - a flange was never installed, wax ring was placed around the sewer pipe and toilet was held to the sub-floor with wood screws! It's been leaking since the day it was installed but showed real signs of damage in the last month or so. With my fathers hip surgery the riser addition seemed like a good choice while we were at it. 

This is another great reason NEVER to caulk a toilet bowl to the floor (if the wax ring leaks, you WANT to see water)...

Anyone else have a similar experience?  Believe it or not, this isn't the worst I've seen.  Once before I did a replacement where someone used an aluminum pie plate, gasoline funnel and silicone to make the code certified connection between toilet bowl and sewer pipe!

BSEEN 1 Pack for 2 PCS LED Armband, Running armaband, LED Bracelet Glow in The Dark-Safety Running Gear.

Running in the wintertime is not fun for a lot of reasons, but safety is a big concern for me. Let me clarify... "visibililty" is a big concern for me.  These work extremely well for keeping you highly visible between the dusk to dark timeframes. At almost pitch black they just make you look awesome if you're running at a decent clip.  I keep one on my forearm and one on my ankle.  You might say it looks like a geek running down the sidewalk, but at least I'm a safe geek!

Check them out at Amazon.com
BSeen Running Arm Bands

Amazon Ring

I love reading the neighborhood reports from my Ring security device. First I want to say "thank you" to Amazon for such an amazing technology. Am I safer? No, but it is fun.  I am astonished at how many stupid neighbors  post video from their doorbell and security cam with comments or captions like "possible theft in progress", "suspected gunshots", or " person trespassing in back yard at 3am - possibly up to no good? Hmmm, what should I do?"  Not once have I read a sane post stating that they called 911 or police before sending the video to other neighbors!  If you suspect a crime is in progress (and you have video evidence) - PLEASE call 911!  

Social Technology - reducing safety by lowering the collective IQ of our local misfits nightly ;)

Construction Management - Interview Q&A

Here are a few ideas that could form the basis of discussion and help indicate a level of experience, character and integrity:

1) A field superintendent (representing the client) directed our installer to make changes to work that is not reflected in the proposal or shop drawings.  This results in $500 of additional material and labor being used.  Neither notified you until after the work was finished.

How would you handle the situation once it came to your attention?
What steps could be taken to reduce this behavior in the future?

2) The work area is out of acceptable tolerance for installation and will void warranties if you proceed. The superintendent for the client is behind schedule and has verbally told you to continue, he states that he will be responsible for any outcome afterwords.

How would you proceed?

3) A co-worker is making inappropriate comments that are crude and vulgar in a joking manner with the clients staff or other field workers.

What would you do?

4) Another trade has damaged our work, the client tagged the repairs as “punch list items” and demands repairs be made immediately on very short notice.

How will you proceed?

5) While walking a jobsite with the client, you observe a potential issue that could result in a code violation that would be covered up by our work (but falls into the responsibility of another trade to remedy).

How might the situation best be addressed?

6) A co-worker makes a mistake that results in a budget loss of $5,000 for part of the project scope.

What steps would you take?

7) You make an error that results in the wrong materials being installed on a jobsite. The GC isn’t aware of this problem and it is unlikely that the error will be found in the future.

What would you recommend?

8) You've submitted a change order and the GC requests that you double or triple the cost so that he can “teach another trade a lesson” with the back charge.  You have an opportunity to increase profit and boost your overall project GP.

How would you reply?

Give an example where your integrity on a project or jobsite was tested recently:  What was the result?

"I'm no real estate attorney, but I saw one perform once at a circus..."

I've been in the market looking for a new home over the past few months in the Kennesaw / Marietta Ga area. It is really disturbing how many homeowners and jackleg contractors are making the mistake of not permitting renovations. If you are in the market to purchase a home, it doesn't take much effort to figure out if renovations were actually permitted and inspected if you (or better - your real estate agent) asks the right questions.

Several weeks ago a selling agent got frustrated when I pointed out that bricking over the garage exterior and converting it into livable space is actually illegal and should be disclosed. This is serious because safety issues, electrical and mechanical demand and load calculations, taxes, etc. are all affected. I was asked to "make a reasonable offer", so I said "80k less than the $250k asking price still might not be safe".  Of course they thought I was a jerk.

My agent and I have discussed this several times in the days that followed as we both have noticed the home continues to stay on the market a lot longer than average. She was equally upset that the other agent couldn't understand what a legal liability and risk was being presented.  If the deal goes down and the tax assessor or fire marshal (or even a disgruntled neighbor calls rhe buiding authority) eventually I can see the original owner, selling agent, closing attorney and contractor all being named in the lawsuit to follow.  The problem is, someone WILL buy that home eventually and not have a solid inspection before closing. How much do you think that screw up would cost to repair if not done prior to a sale?