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Started By
Message
Louisiana contractor license scam (The state)
Posted on 2/8/22 at 2:31 pm
Posted on 2/8/22 at 2:31 pm
I am building a new home in Broussard La and want to add a pool. I get a quote from "reasonable contractor". $86,000 for a 16x32 rectangle pool with a spa in the footprint.
I built pools in Texas for myself and friends 15-20 years ago and started pricing equipment, labor and materials. I come to roughly 50K.
Louisiana has a new law that bans DYI swimming pool builds. To get a permit you have to have a licensed pool contractor. But..... you can build your own house. That is ok as long as you don't build more than 1 per year.
This is the craziest crap I have ever heard. Damn...
I built pools in Texas for myself and friends 15-20 years ago and started pricing equipment, labor and materials. I come to roughly 50K.
Louisiana has a new law that bans DYI swimming pool builds. To get a permit you have to have a licensed pool contractor. But..... you can build your own house. That is ok as long as you don't build more than 1 per year.
This is the craziest crap I have ever heard. Damn...
16
Posted on 2/8/22 at 2:39 pm to ShermanTxTiger
Welcome to Louisiana.
Posted on 2/8/22 at 2:47 pm to ShermanTxTiger
quote:
To get a permit
I don't know, and never investigated, but I would bet my pool builder skipped this step.
And he was from your neck of the woods.
Posted on 2/8/22 at 2:56 pm to ShermanTxTiger
Now try to go sell flowers.
Posted on 2/8/22 at 2:58 pm to ShermanTxTiger
Btw, what do you think he should charge? You seem to have pegged his cost at $50k. What’s acceptable to you?
Posted on 2/8/22 at 3:00 pm to ShermanTxTiger
quote:
Louisiana has a new law that bans DYI swimming pool builds.
Link?
Posted on 2/8/22 at 3:20 pm to ShermanTxTiger
It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
Posted on 2/8/22 at 3:58 pm to Meauxjeaux
quote:
Btw, what do you think he should charge? You seem to have pegged his cost at $50k. What’s acceptable to you?
Most General contractors charge 20% overhead and profit. It seems like 50k x 1.2 would be appropriate. That would be 60K. Giving the contractor 10K in profit for the job. 36K over costs seems excessive to me.
Posted on 2/8/22 at 4:01 pm to ShermanTxTiger
You have to start thinking like a Louisianian. Build yourself a cement pond.
Posted on 2/8/22 at 5:02 pm to fwtex
I agree....rent a backhoe
Posted on 2/8/22 at 5:37 pm to ShermanTxTiger
Get a few more quotes while you get your subs lined up.
Don't discuss this with neighbors. "some guy out of BR" if they ask
That said, it would take more than 10k for me to dig a hole in someone's backyard, and then depend on mostly illegal subs to finish the job while dealing with a demanding homeowner (like myself).
15-20k for sure. 30k if had plenty of work, and if the access looked tough, probably more.
Keep us updated!
Don't discuss this with neighbors. "some guy out of BR" if they ask
That said, it would take more than 10k for me to dig a hole in someone's backyard, and then depend on mostly illegal subs to finish the job while dealing with a demanding homeowner (like myself).
15-20k for sure. 30k if had plenty of work, and if the access looked tough, probably more.
Keep us updated!
Posted on 2/8/22 at 6:23 pm to ShermanTxTiger
I would be cautious with the pricing you get for a "rough" estimate, depending on the type of pool you want put in there could be a lot more involved here where the water table comes up to mere feet of the surface in a lot of areas. You probably aren't including the hours you put in the estimate and to hire qualified people is going to cost you more, Plumbers and Electricians are not cheap either, go with the contractor, he screws up, he eats it, do it yourself and screw up, it just proves you have a couyon for a contractor!
Posted on 2/8/22 at 6:52 pm to ZydecoTigah
quote:
Plumbers and Electricians are not cheap either, go with the contractor, he screws up, he eats it, do it yourself and screw up, it just proves you have a couyon for a contractor!
I did this before twice. The first time I screwed up everything at least once. I still built the pool with better features and larger for 8k less. It was the golden age when you could build a pool for less than 30K.
I really think the law has artificially inflated costs. Pool contractors now have a monopoly and only have to bid against each other with nothing to keep the industry accountable.
Posted on 2/8/22 at 8:59 pm to ShermanTxTiger
whats the process to get a contractors license in LA? Maybe go that route.
Posted on 2/8/22 at 9:22 pm to ShermanTxTiger
quote:
Most General contractors charge 20% overhead and profit. It seems like 50k x 1.2 would be appropriate. That would be 60K. Giving the contractor 10K in profit for the job. 36K over costs seems excessive to me.
Did you include insurance, workers comp and taxes?
Just taxes alone on his $10k “profit” is gonna eat $2,500.
Is he onsite daily? What’s his IRR for his company? Is he investing in his business so he’ll be solid financially and around for a year to warranty his work and beyond that for extended support?
You’re asking a lot for $10k spread over 2 months. I assume pool construction takes about 2 months?
Posted on 2/9/22 at 7:40 am to ShermanTxTiger
I’m dealing with them now at work. A clerical error on a contract is costing us $500.
I went to drop the check off and they have a brand new multi million dollar headquarter down town. Was nice to see where my money was going.
Then we get another inquiry from them. I’ve wasted 4+ hours tracking shite down for them.
It’s all a load of bullshite.
I went to drop the check off and they have a brand new multi million dollar headquarter down town. Was nice to see where my money was going.
Then we get another inquiry from them. I’ve wasted 4+ hours tracking shite down for them.
It’s all a load of bullshite.
Posted on 2/9/22 at 7:48 am to ShermanTxTiger
quote:
Most General contractors charge 20% overhead and profit. It seems like 50k x 1.2 would be appropriate. That would be 60K. Giving the contractor 10K in profit for the job. 36K over costs seems excessive to me.
Overhead isnt profit. For him to make $10k profit the price would have to be $70k.
Posted on 2/9/22 at 12:05 pm to ShermanTxTiger
quote:
Most General contractors charge 20% overhead and profit. It seems like 50k x 1.2 would be appropriate. That would be 60K. Giving the contractor 10K in profit for the job. 36K over costs seems excessive to me.
Do you realize that materials not only cost more than they did 15-20 years ago but they are harder to get as well, Gramps?
Posted on 2/9/22 at 12:17 pm to kengel2
quote:
Overhead isnt profit. For him to make $10k profit the price would have to be $70k.
I once had a customer bitch at me for a line item I labeled "Supervision" in the contract.
Him: "What's this supervision number? It's pretty high!"
Me: "That's my fee. I'll be onsite daily, 3-4 hours a day. I charge $xx / hour for my time. You don't want a job with no supervision. Plus I'll be doing plenty of shopping and delivery for you."
Him: "But that's your profit! You should just take it out of the profit!"
Me: "No, my company makes a profit. I make a salary."
This post was edited on 2/9/22 at 12:18 pm
Posted on 2/9/22 at 1:35 pm to shawnlsu
quote:
Do you realize that materials not only cost more than they did 15-20 years ago but they are harder to get as well, Gramps?
It has occurred to me. I did check prices on equipment, materials and prevailing labor rates. I added a 20% cushion too! We are building a home at the same location and have a clue about supply chain issues as well.
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