Papercreters: [papercreters] Re: Ed's Do's and Don'ts

Good additions.Thanks.
I was really planning on doing something small to begin with, but had to lump in the cost
of the property in my construction loan and there were some square footage minimums as
well as some pretty stringent historic distric requirements, but admittedly it soon became
a run away train.

Hang tough everyone..
Ed

--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "slurryguy" <slurryguy@...> wrote:
>
> Additional Do #12
>
> Build a small shed or shop before building your bigger house. This
> will give you experience. Use the same techniques to build the small
> structure as you plan on using for your bigger one. You'll learn a
> lot about what works and what does not work. You also will have
> something to show local building departments and inspectors during
> the planning process for your bigger structure.
>
> Additional Do #13
>
> Consult with your local building department and inspectors DURING
> YOUR PLANNING PROCESS before you ever break ground. Don't hide what
> your are planning. Seek their guidance. The cheapest time to make
> changes to your plans are before you start building. Making the same
> changes after you start building will be twice as expensive.
>
> Contacting your local building department early, and getting their
> approval for all your plans will make the inspection process EASIER.
> Inspectors are tasked with verifying that actual construction is
> following the plans on file. If you do something that's not in the
> plans, expect for problems delays, and added expenses.
>
> Get your plans bulletproof and approved in advance and the
> construction process will go much more smoothly and inexpensively.
>
> Additional Do #14
>
> Keep your worksite clean and orderly. This is usually the job of the
> least skilled workers. Why pay your expensive plumber to clean junk
> out of an area he needs to work? That's for unskilled laborers.
>
> When workers and laborer see that you care about keeping your site
> clean and orderly they will take more pride in their work and do a
> better job. They will also be able to work faster because they won't
> be constantly moving the same junk back and forth.
>
> Inspectors and neighbors will view your project much more favorably.
>
> EVERY NIGHT CLEAN THE SITE!
>
> Additional Do #15
>
> It's usually a good idea to assign an unskilled laborer to assist
> each expensive skilled contractor. They are the extra set of hands,
> the guy the runs out to the truck to fetch a tool, the guy that
> cleans up, the guy that hauls the heavy tools and materials. This
> keeps the expensive guy's time clear to get his job done.
>
> Nothing wrong with YOU being that unskilled assistant!
>
>
> Additional Do #16
>
> Be certain to schedule subcontrators in the proper order. Each
> project has its quirk, but generally speaking the contractors will
> move through a typical project in the following order:
>
> Old hands please check my work on this, I typed it from memory, I
> didn't go look it up.
>
> Dig Safe (marking existing underground utilities)
> Excavation
> Foundation
> Possibly 1st floor framing (not the walls). Important if joists are
> used over a basement/crawlspace.
> Foundation waterproofing/drain tile
> Backfill
> Structural Framing
> Roofing
> Papercrete
> Exterior Windows/Doors
> Exterior Finishing
> Interior Doors
> Take delivery of any woodwork or flooring that needs time to
> acclimatize before installation. Keep it protected from damage and
> secure from theft.
> HVAC Rough-in
> Plumbing Rough-in
> Electrical Rough-in
> Plastering/Drywall
> (some finish floor types go in here, but not all. Only install a
> final finished floor at this point if it's absolutely necessary.
> Then be certain it is protected during the remaing work.)
> Cabinetry
> Finish Carpentry
> Interior Painting
> HVAC Trim-out
> Plumbing fixtures and trim-out
> Electrical fixtures and trim-out
> Install Final Floors
> Finish Flooring (as necessary)
> Install finish hardware, (doorknobs and pulls)
> Install Appliances
> Cut the ribbon and PARTY PARTY PARTY!!!
>
> Additional Do #17
>
> Take lots of pictures/videos during the entire process and post them
> to Papercreters. Let others learn from what you are doing and also
> learn from their comments.
>
>
> Additional Don't #16
>
> Don't assume that any particular task will be done by a contractor if
> it is not written down in an agreement.
>
>
>
>
>
> About Do #5.
>
> I recommend utilizing a Project Planning software program. There is
> a free Open Source program available for anyone to download at
> http://ganttproject.biz/
>
> Microsoft has Microsoft Project, Project Workbench, and some other
> software that you can purchase. I've used several of them and I like
> the free Gantt Project the best.
>
> I also recommend keeping a large project timeline in the form of a
> poster or a whiteboard posted for public view of every worker. It
> keeps everyone informed about where everyone stands. It also serves
> as a motivational tool. No good worker wants to be pointed at as the
> slowpoke that is holding up the show. When you see a worker or
> subcontractor that ignores that public timeline, start looking for a
> replacement worker or contractor.
>
> About Do #7.
>
> I recommend keeping a large poster in your office area. Think of
> something like those thermometers that Charities use to track
> donations. Keep a graphic total of the money that has been spent,
> and the money you have left at all times. KEEP IT CURRENT.
>
>
> About Do #10.
>
> One contractor I have worked with extensively on Habitat projects
> paints all of his tools with a very gross looking flourescent PINK
> PAINT!!!
>
> He says that the color works like a thief repellent. It's a guy
> thing I think. Guys don't want to be caught dead with "girly" tools.
>
> Call this comment sexist, but I've never once heard of an incident on
> a construction site of a female stealing tools. Misplacing them?
> Yes... but guys misplace tools too.
>
> Hot Pink tools show up a lot easier amongst all the debris and dust
> that gets generated during construction too.
>
>
> About Don't #1.
>
> Always ask yourself if the person giving you advice has something to
> gain by giving you that advice. I'm not saying every salesman is
> dishonest, but are they motivated to offer you alternatives?
>
> Even I don't expect people to trust what I say by itself. I
> encourage everyone to verify any statement I make and look for
> supporting documentation or contradictory documentation. Anyone that
> is leery of close scrutiny should set of alarms in your head.
>
> About Don't #3.
>
> One job of a general contractor is to resolve disputes between
> subcontractors. There is always some give and take. Who is
> responsible for cleaning up the site? Do you really want your
> expensive plumber charging you his high rates to clean up craps of
> wood and toss them in a dumpster?
>
> The best way to avoid finger pointing is to get an agreement IN
> WRITING from a contractor detailing exactly how they expect the site
> to be prepared so that they can get in and get out quickly and
> efficently. Don't be afraid to have a contractor stop by for an hour
> at the end of a workday a week in advance of their scheduled work on
> your timeline. Ask them what they will need. What preparations for
> the site will be necessary for them to begin work? Take notes. Make
> sure you are ready for them to kick butt when they show up.
>
> About Don't #5.
>
> Remember that a friend will be honest with you, even if the truth is
> painful. Bending the rules to make things easier for a "friend" will
> send a bad message to everyone else. A real friend will work twice
> as hard to make sure your project is completed BETTER than your
> standards. Anyone that violates that trust may not be a real friend.
>
>
>
> --- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "Edward Conley" <c_edward@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hey guys,
> > here is my first contribution to the soon to come manual for
> papercreters.
> > Let me know if it needs any honing.
> > Ed
> >
> >
> > Some Papercrete do's and don'ts
> >
> > Do:
> > 1. Thoroughly research the methods, materials, techniques ,
> successes and failures of the
> > products you plan to use.
> > 2. Make sure you are adequately funded before embarking on your
> project.
> > 3.Have an architect review your plans if possible
> > 4. Check references of all subcontractors you are considering. Look
> at their completed
> > projects and talk to their customers. See if their buildings have
> lasted over a period of
> > years. Ask the homeowners about problems they encountered.
> > 5. Have written agreements including costs and timelines for
> completion,payment
> > schedules and penalties for non completion.
> > 6. Hire a competent project manager if at all possible so your life
> isn't totally consumed
> > with being on site at all times. If you can't afford one, be
> prepared to spend all your time
> > supervising.
> > 7.Keep accurate records of expenditures and resources including
> inventory of materials
> > and tools. Document all work with pictures and or video as well as
> a diary of daily work
> > completed.
> > 8. Make sure materials are quality materials based on standardized
> requirements , are
> > consistent and have been tested and proven.(Even adobe blocks are
> required to be tested)
> > don't rely on claims made by suppliers based on their personal
> opinions.
> > 9. Purchase builders insurance.(It is inexpensive and provides a
> sense of security)
> > 10. Have all your tools marked with your name and color coded with
> paint and lock them
> > up when not being used.
> > 11. Have fun and enjoy being a pioneer.
> >
> > Don't
> > 1. Fall for false hype based on things posted on the internet. Just
> because someone wrote
> > a book or produced a video doesn't mean diddly #@%t.
> > Some "experts" are self proclaimed prophets and have refused the
> guidance and
> > suggestions of others and base their methods on theory and
> speculation.
> > 2. Use unproven materials or techniques based on hearsay or
> theoretic blabber unless you
> > want to be part of their test bed. Uniform blocks DO matter.
> > 3. Cave in to excuses or bargaining on your requirements. Talk to
> others and be informed.
> > 4. Hire transients. some can be trusted and are good workers, but
> overall they usually are
> > the ones that steal, get drunk or do drugs on the job and can
> disappear at the drop of the
> > hat. Use your own discretion, but be very wary.
> > 5. Be too kind. Remember YOU are the boss, not the buddy of the
> labor force. Not to say
> > you have to be a jerk, but remain as neutral as possible.
> > 6. Buy off on finger pointing. Make workers admit their mistakes
> and hold them
> > accountable when ever possible.
> > 7. Allow "flexible" working times and days unless it is the only
> way to manage things.
> > 8. Pay anyone up front for anything other than materials and no
> more than a 50% deposit.
> > 9.Pay daily or on Fridays. If you want workers to show up, pay them
> on Monday.
> > 10. Assume that anyone will do what they say they are going to.
> Double check everything
> > they do and hold them to their agreements.
> > 11. Allow anyone to "borrow" any of your tools.
> > 12.Hire anyone who doesn't have at least most of their own tools
> > 13. Think that cheap labor is a bargain. Even well paid workers can
> let you down.
> > 14. Let bankers push you around. You are paying big bucks for
> interest. Insist they be
> > flexible and supportive in the entire process.
> > 15. Let your project become a monster. Give yourself some downtime,
> and try to get away
> > from it all sometimes and just see the big picture.
> >
>