geniescience said:
glad you were able to use that opportunity to say more about yourself. I sent you an easy lob.
recently, it has become a big concern when people sign in here and start advising and commenting, and nobody knows what their background is or what sources their knowledge. So you are lightyears ahead of thousands now. You are in the top 50 already, in my opinion. Some would disagree with me and put you in the top 100. No big deal; either way you are doing fine.
Congratulations Chuck.
David
David,
I never said that I was her to advise and comment. I just said I was here.
I do participate in other forums (construction) and I know what is necessary to be taken with seriousness.
I don't believe that it's appropriate to walk into a room full of people and start demanding answers to questions or interests without first introducing myself and allowing others to know where I'm coming from.
I'm 40 years old and I started working with a renovator when I was 15. I've had various jobs with several builders.... handy man was one, finish super, and assistant framing super was another, and I even work for a framer for a summer prior to my first year in college. I spent a small amount of time as a project manager of 2 home sites, but found that whom I was working for was not the place I wanted to be.
I re-entered the construction trade after graduating college and found that I didn't fit in the "corporate world"- a short stint at Merrill Lynch will do that to anyone.
Many years ago, I became aggravated working for large corporations who put no pride into what they did, nor cared about the outcome that occurred. I knew that I didn't want to continue cleaning up other peoples messes. I knew I could work for myself, control my outcomes and produce quality work for those who wanted it. I was tired of the BS of working for another.
So,
Do I do renovations? Yes.... around 6-12 bathrooms a year. I have a plumber who takes care of any of the changes / permit required work and I do everything else. I always pull permits when needed. I don't pull permits when I'm just freshening up an existing. I follow rules for egress when doing window installs. I make sure that any window in a bath area is fully tempered inside and out. When I do a kitchen, I have my sparky bring the room to todays code...and my plumber does all the roughs and final connections. I trust their abilities and need their work warrantied.
Do I do handyman work? Yes. Am I a Schmuck for doing handyman work? No..... Need to feed my kids.
jimbo said:
OK, lets be nice!
On this, as most other forums, most of us do not "hang out our shingle" for the world to see. All of us bring a wealth of professional and life experience to the forum. Most of us are careful to "follow the code" as we are aware of it....and are aware of just how much the codes vary.
So, sometimes, we just offer advice on the "right thing to do" and hopefully point out that what flies in one place may not pass muster in another.
Sometimes, a responder steps beyond the realm of his expertise and comes up with unsound advice, but that is usually quickly picked up on by others.
None of us is superman, and I guess a piece of advice to anyone seeking advice on the internet is to take it all with grain of salt, and get multiple opinions. We often see the same question on multiple forums which we participate in, and I always refrain from making any remarks like "same answer you got on yadayada forum". I applaud the consumer for doing his due diligence.
Welcome to the new member. We look forward to hearing from you. Sounds like you have a lot to contribute. Your first post sounded like you were a "handyman" rather than a licensed contractor, and for some folks here that raises there hackles, but to me it sounds like you are an experienced, quality tradesman, and we welcome your input.
Jimbo,
Hanging out my shingle is my only way to let you know who I am. Otherwise, I'm just a new voice that no one will pay attention to until something finally says......yeah he knows what he's doing.
I'm selective where I stick my nose into. I don't give advice on something I don't know. I not a big fan of myself personally responding to incompetent homeowner questions. I feel that the trades we're in deserves some protection with reference to "how it's done" and my lack of input will not change what they're doing.
I realize that you can go to a number of different forums and find what you're looking for, but I prefer letting others fill those shoes. It's just my personal take on it. No foul to others who do so.
If I see a person who is somewhat knowledgeable in what they're trying to achieve, have enough experience in it and I may be able to help them with the few pointers I may know..................
In that situation, I'm more that willing to help... Homeowner or not.
BTW, Jimbo Handymen, contractors, repair men are required to be registered, insured, draw up contracts, collect sales tax and yadayadaya .......... here in NJ.
When I see a thread that applies to my work, I'll be glad to post pix of my work. If you want to hold it against me for doing handyman work from time to time, then so be it.... I can't control how others feel and everyone has an opinion of how things work. I need to work and I do what I have to ....to pay the bills.
Thanks for welcoming me. I hope, that I may be able to share my knowledge with those who need it as well.
