general contractor question - plumbing fixtures

[fsusteve]

nothing against old guys, but if this is not sexist, I don't know............

It sure is and I stand by it....

 

[Jman]

Before the big box stores were common, contractors made some of their income from the mark-up on materials. I used to charge the retail price and buy it for wholesale. This additional income covered the warrenty that I was putting on someone elses material. Since big box stores became common and some wholesalers started to retail, there is not much money to be made in materials any more. I used to run into this problem all the time. I always told my clients that if they want to supply materials I am OK with it but that includes delivery and placement, and if they are short I will charge wait time for them to get more or I will charge dearly to go pick it up. I will also not warrent the material. I know people are trying to save money when they do this, but they often do not fully appreciate what they are paying for when they hire a GC or a full service sub. If a client wants their own subs for some trades, I would remove that portion of the job entirely from the estimate and let the client deal with their sub entirely. I also warned that if scheduling got screwed up by their sub, then there may be penalties or delays as a result. Usualy after I explained the benefits of using a GC and letting the GC manage the job, they agreed and I would supply materials and subs.
In your case Eric, if your material or your plumber cause a leak that damages drywall or flooring or cabinetry, who is responsible for repair? What if it holds up the job? If there is one person responsible for everything, then there should be no problem with who takes the blame and the cost. When more than one person is involved then if there is a problem everyone points fingers and no one wants to take responsibility.
It sounds like you are doing a lot of the GC stuff on this job already. Why are you paying 10%-15% extra to the GC you have? You are not like the majority of people that want a turn-key, hand-off project.

Sorry for the length of this monologue.

And yeah, I like arts and crafts/ mission as well.

Good points. When I ordered my stuff, I had it a couple weeks before it was needed, I went over EVERYTHING to make sure the faucets fit properly in the sink, that the toilet was short enough that the door would clear, that the porcelain top fit on the oak cabinet, etc., etc. It worked for me because I had more time than money on my hands. If I had the money, I'd just hire the best and let them earn their money.

My most expensive outlay was my electrical subcontractor--I picked him out myself because I knew his reputation, and whatever he said was fine. OUr house is a 130 year old row house, and electrical fires are all too common in our neighborhood, so that's where I went with the best. All the other subcontrators were blown away by this guy, he worked alone and worked faster and better than anyone else. And as of today, electrical is the only system we've had zero problems with. We haven't even blown a circuit breaker.

It just depends where your priorites are.

 

[phishtaco]

Sure everyone should supply everything with no markup. The plumber needs to make money on labor and the fixtures. They assume all responsibilty for installation and ensuring the fixture performs correctly. I can buy fixtures cheaper online than I can buy it from our local distributors, but what happens when something goes wrong?

 

[Jman]

Oh, and eric, I know you won't be installing a urinal, because you sit down when you pee, but I'm pretty sure with your connections you can get a better deal on the bidet than your plumbing subcontractor.

 

[osagecruiser]

sounds like a questionable general contractor...what ever my owners want they get...yes i am in business to make money..but 99% of my customers are referrals and repeat business....if you want to buy your own windows..go for it..if i install them i will only warranty my work.....want to supply your own plumbing fixtures....go for it...i will still warrant only my work...not a big deal...i am building an addition at the local ace hardware...do you think i am supplying anything that is in the ace warehouse...not a chance...but i knew this upfront and the owner and i have an agreement...so no big deal...building a home for someone is difficult....i am dealing with the 2 most important things in ones life...first their home...second their wallet...one must tread lightly and be sure the picture you have of the finished project is the same as the owner!

good luck
osagecruiser

 

[Scamper]

sounds like a questionable general contractor...what ever my owners want they get...yes i am in business to make money..but 99% of my customers are referrals and repeat business....if you want to buy your own windows..go for it..if i install them i will only warranty my work.....want to supply your own plumbing fixtures....go for it...i will still warrant only my work...not a big deal...i am building an addition at the local ace hardware...do you think i am supplying anything that is in the ace warehouse...not a chance...but i knew this upfront and the owner and i have an agreement...so no big deal...building a home for someone is difficult....i am dealing with the 2 most important things in ones life...first their home...second their wallet...one must tread lightly and be sure the picture you have of the finished project is the same as the owner!

good luck
osagecruiser

Couldn't agree more. I think the role of the GC has changed over time. These days, people are looking to work with their contractor rather than having the contractor do the turn-key kit. Either way, your attitude/approach is what I was looking for in a GC, and it's what I got. I don't expect my GC to warrant things out of his control; in bringing in my own materials, that's part of the responibility I take on. Part of this is that in the past, GCs tend not to want to warrant even things there were in control of But that's okay with me 'cuz I'll inspect the work as we go. I trust my GC (trust but verify...) and he's done a great job--even more than I had hoped/expected. Hiring a GC is more like interviewing for a job; you have to find a person that's compatible with you and understands your needs/desires/goals; with the right person, your build is a piece of cake, but with the wrong person, your new home will turn into a nightmare.

 

[74fjsemistock]

You still beatin this horse ?

 

[photogod]

Anybody that can do a birf job can put in windows and tighten a few fittings on a faucet and drain and put in a toilet. The only thing that should stop you is the time ellement. Eric, find a new plumber and save yourself a heap of dough and put the fixtures in. Have the rough in done and you do the finish. I'm not a mechanical whiz with the truck but I have always done my own home repairs, except for roofing, and I do a better job than 90% of the work I have seen on friends homes done by "professionals". If money isn't an issue, don't worry about the extra green the plumber wants to charge.

 

[74fjsemistock]

I'll say it again Eric,call me.

 

[White Shark]

The Land Cruiser of faucets is Grohe. The Hans Grohe stuff is their less expensive line, the standard Grohe stuff is the top end stuff. It's about the same price as Kohler without the headaches and leaks.

Buy everything off the net. We're not talking rocket science here. If parts are missing, have them overnighted, no big deal.

Fire any plumber who has the attitude of pimping parts. If you buy your own faucets, and he wanted to originally supply the goods, he will milk you for time and sandbag the job. Dump him like a cheap date. He will get his cash one way or another.

Grohe has lifetime mechanical warranty and lifetime finish warranty on the high end stuff. I've sold Kohler professionally and saw lots of them come back. I never had a Grohe returned. They are made in Germany and have great design and quality control.

http://www.groheamerica.com/

 

[hendo]

The Land Cruiser of faucets is Grohe. The Hans Grohe stuff is their less expensive line, the standard Grohe stuff is the top end stuff. It's about the same price as Kohler without the headaches and leaks.

Buy everything off the net. We're not talking rocket science here. If parts are missing, have them overnighted, no big deal.

Fire any plumber who has the attitude of pimping parts. If you buy your own faucets, and he wanted to originally supply the goods, he will milk you for time and sandbag the job. Dump him like a cheap date. He will get his cash one way or another.

Grohe has lifetime mechanical warranty and lifetime finish warranty on the high end stuff. I've sold Kohler professionally and saw lots of them come back. I never had a Grohe returned. They are made in Germany and have great design and quality control.

http://www.groheamerica.com/

being a plumber for over 25 years i definately agree grohe are the best , if you have a problem with them leaking just call them up and they will send you the parts needed to fix mostly for free, you will pay more for grohe but definately worth it