How to Approach Contractors About Work Needing Done

[highdesertranger]

good deal canine. patients pays off. would you like to share your design and the type of metal you are going to use, when you get it figured out? nice that you found an oldtimer to set you on the right path. highdesertranger

 

[SternWake]

While I certainly do not consider myself a contractor, I do carpentry work and get all work from referrals.

Often I will meet a prospective client, and just decide I absolutely want no part of trying to make them happy, and decline the work, even if I need the work.

It is their attitude. They basically say they know everything, but just do not want to do it themselves as they are too important, too smart and simply above such menial labor.

Am not saying this is the case with the OP, but when you want someone to do something for you, do not expect that just because you are willing to pay, that they are willing to be subjected to you.

I love being able to decline work. Other peoples projects can turn into nightmares, especially when they do not understand all the intricacies of what is involved or just Poo poo any causes for concern by the person trying to adhere to a design imposed upon them.

I like a challenge, but the challenge must be the project itself, not the person wanting the work done and their Ego.

And bidding on a job is a nightmare. It can take hours just to come up with a bid, and only have 50% confidence that the bid will come anywhere close to actual time and labor. When I know I am just another person making a bid on a project, and that the project owner is just going to take the cheapest at any cost bid, I decline, I am not wasting my time, or subjecting myself to such a person.

 

[Canine]

I will for sure take pictures and share. This isn't a for sure deal, though. If it costs many thousands of dollars just for a frame, I'll have to decline. We will see what transpires.

SternWake, I totally understand what you're saying. It is a bummer to be rebuffed, but it for sure isn't the end of the world. It's nice to hear a perspective from someone who is a contractor. Even if the someone runs into a contractor that is being unreasonable, one should still politely respect their decision. Nothing wrong with saying, "No." I sometimes say no just because I can. Feels good.

 

[Patrick46]

Btw...(I didn't think of this earlier...)

I was at a junkyard recently, and there were 3 different box vans in the yard. 2 were old U-Haul types, and one was an old contractor's van...but all 3 boxes were in very usable shape! I'm sure any of them could be bought off the chassis for little, as these aren't very recyclable for the junkyard...but the cabs and chassis' were.

Here's a way to get a box that's all ready to mount...nothing to build Then all you've gotta do is remodel it to your liking.

Jus thinking out loud.

 

[SoulRaven]

Patrick, you just beat me to it, I was going to suggest the same thing as a possibility.

 

[DannyB1954]

I took the bed off of my pickup and made a 7'x7' flat bed for it. I searched for several methods of making a light weight steel frame camper. What I decided on was to buy a used ladder rack off of craigslist, and then modifying it to make it higher and wider. I would buy pipe that is larger than what is used and cut the ladder rack and put the longer pipe piece in. So I would need 4 leg pieces and 3 width pieces. I would weld these in place.

You may not be able to have this person weld you a frame from scratch, but you may be able to get him to modify something for you. The nice thing about the ladder racks are that you can attach multitude of brackets for attaching plywood, or whatever. Here is an example. http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/tls/5110056190.html or just go to Craigs list and search for ladder rack or lumber rack. The one that I found is $50. I could not buy the new metal to build one that cheap. A hundred or so for the brackets that I want to attach, and I am coming out cheap. I will build light weight walls using steel studs like they sell at the big box stores for house construction and then attach them to the ladder rack with brackets and bolts. The walls do not have to be structurally sound as the ladder rack bears the burden. The studs will be mostly for holding the insulation in place along with the sheeting. I know you said that you were not open to other sugestions on how to build, but you got it anyway.

Good luck to you.