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If I tried lining my own subs up, I'd be waiting forever, making dozens and dozens of phone calls, taking time off of work to get multiple quotes and oversee their work, etc.

I mean how many do you need? Electrician and plumber are extremely easy to find. Carpenter is probably the most difficult. Sheetrock is not that hard.

For something like a kitchen renovation:

Electrician, plumber, tile installers, drywall, painters, cabinetry, counter top installers, finish carpenter, etc.

Again, it's doubly or triply difficult to find and manage these guys. You have to vet multiple subs, meet them, get bids, etc. Then you have to get them setup for the work, oversee their job, and then plan for the next stage.

Not saying it's impossible--I'm actually debating the same thing myself for my next stage of my renovation.

I am simply pointing out the reality. You can find a list of folks and start making phone calls. But don't be surprised if the good subs are already lined out with work from their established contractors they work with routinely.

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Posted by baldona

Florida

Member since Feb 2016

20512 posts

Posted on 12/4/17 at 12:20 pm to lnomm34

quote:
For something like a kitchen renovation:

Electrician, plumber, tile installers, drywall, painters, cabinetry, counter top installers, finish carpenter, etc.

Again, it's doubly or triply difficult to find and manage these guys. You have to vet multiple subs, meet them, get bids, etc. Then you have to get them setup for the work, oversee their job, and then plan for the next stage.

For something like a kitchen or bath, it can actually be easier. Cabinet and kitchen places have their own subs or staff. They will install the cabinets and do the trim work. They can probably even do some baseboard or crown molding if you wanted. Now that's only if all of your stuff is staying in place you are just updating and adding or removing some small items.

Countertops are by a countertop place. You need to pick those out yourself anyway, all your GC would do is hire them out.

Flooring, just go to a flooring company. Again buy from them and they have their own crews that will do the work.

Where you really need a GC again is the small jobs and structural stuff. Framing, planning, permitting, etc. In my experience the plumbers and electricians they use for example are not always that great. The better ones go out and work on their on, the guys that work for just a handful of GC's do so for less money.

The guys my GC just hired, were from out of state and worked out of a freaking car. Nice guys and they did good work, but they sure as hell didn't look professional.

This post was edited on 12/4/17 at 12:24 pm

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Posted by baldona

Florida

Member since Feb 2016

20512 posts

Posted on 12/4/17 at 12:29 pm to lnomm34

Here's another thing, and I'm in the middle of a roughly $40k kitchen remodel. Not bragging at all, got the house as a foreclosure that's the only reason we are splurging some.

I spend just as much if not more time checking my GC as I do if I GC'd it myself.

We removed a wall and opened the kitchen up, that's why I am using a GC. Put in a steal beam and post.

But as far as the actual kitchen remodel, I'd of much prefer'd to do it myself.

GC's are very busy if they are any good. A good one builds houses where they make most of their money. Remodels are just side gigs and not priorities.

GC's as said build houses, they have their own styles they like. I've had to go back and ask for things done differently because our GC assumed something instead of asking. Nothing horrible, but I'm just saying its not like you hire a GC and all is perfect.

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