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Re: Plumbing archaeology
What are they now zinc?
They're using lead to re-build the roof at Notre Dame.
Re: Homeowners Versus Contractors
The problems in the trades are bigger than "blue collar" vs. "white collar". In our society, at least here in New York, the working class is getting pummeled with inflation, currency debasement and roaring taxation. A modest home costs $550,000 with $18,000 annual property taxes.
No kid growing up here expects to live the American Dream that their father lived working a blue collar job. Many feel their only chance is landing a Wall Street gig after borrowing $80K for a college degree. Of course academia is all too happy to perpetuate this attitude.
The tradesmen role models are too often missing from their lives, and they are lacking guidance and real-life examples of personal success stories. A majority have no fathers in their lives or their fathers are potted plants.
When a car lease is $800/month and rent a minimum of $2400, who aspires to a mechanic's career bringing down less than six figures? Around here it's too often the uneducated, foreign speaking immigrants and ex-cons who wind up in the trades working for small businesses that often fail to train or develop their workforce.
No kid growing up here expects to live the American Dream that their father lived working a blue collar job. Many feel their only chance is landing a Wall Street gig after borrowing $80K for a college degree. Of course academia is all too happy to perpetuate this attitude.
The tradesmen role models are too often missing from their lives, and they are lacking guidance and real-life examples of personal success stories. A majority have no fathers in their lives or their fathers are potted plants.
When a car lease is $800/month and rent a minimum of $2400, who aspires to a mechanic's career bringing down less than six figures? Around here it's too often the uneducated, foreign speaking immigrants and ex-cons who wind up in the trades working for small businesses that often fail to train or develop their workforce.
Re: Homeowners Versus Contractors
Because the boss or owner assumes all the risk.realliveplumber said:Serious question, why does the boss (owner) need to make more than the employee? Say you have a guy that is being paid $100,000.00 a year, plus benefits. Probably costs what 140-150k to the boss. Say he consistently produces, and earns the boss 75k a year net. Excellent reviews, satisfied customers. Minimal call backs, hardly takes a vacation, always on time, never not once complained about a crappy (literally) crawl space or ditch, will work late without a comment. Will jump into any task with both feet without hesitation. Id go for that all day long.
if something goes wrong, an accident, fire on a job, the owner or boss are on the hook.
As the owner/ boss you get to determine what you feel is a fair compensation for the services you provide to humanity. Hopefully it is as much or more than a manager at a fast food joint🤗
hot_rod
6
Re: Balancing a reverse return system with different emitters?
Ideally the radiator is matched to the room load, if not a balance valve or the wheel type angle valve could be used.
A TRV would give you temperature control and balance.
A delta P circ would also help balance if you go with TRVs
A lot to learn about the various balance valves
https://www.caleffi.com/sites/default/files/media/external-file/Idronics_8_NA_Hydronic balancing.pdf
A TRV would give you temperature control and balance.
A delta P circ would also help balance if you go with TRVs
A lot to learn about the various balance valves
https://www.caleffi.com/sites/default/files/media/external-file/Idronics_8_NA_Hydronic balancing.pdf
hot_rod
1
Re: Homeowners Versus Contractors
I'm not an officer of Plumber's Local #1, but almost a 40 year, extremely proud member. Yes, candidates do line up circling the blocks and many camp out for days and take shifts in line and stay at local hotels and motels. They DO give preference to Veterans (as they should) and participate in Helmet to Hardhats.
That is to get a spot on the coveted 5 Year Apprentice program. However, The M.E.S.
Division (Repairs) has entry level positions available AND Mechanic positions, but my two friends who own Union shops cannot get any good help. Its a crisis, really it is. Mad Dog 🐕
That is to get a spot on the coveted 5 Year Apprentice program. However, The M.E.S.
Division (Repairs) has entry level positions available AND Mechanic positions, but my two friends who own Union shops cannot get any good help. Its a crisis, really it is. Mad Dog 🐕
Re: Homeowners Versus Contractors
Interesting thread. I knew Frank Blau and worked for George Brazil. Both did work together and pioneered flat rate pricing for P&H or HVAC contractors. George had the largest shop in the country using over 600 cube vans. He was the ;largest buyer of Isuzu cube vans in the US.
They both agreed that less than 5% of contractors in our industry knew or understood the business of contracting or making a profit. That was 25 years ago. I'm unsure if it got better, I'd say it's the same. Now there's an extreme shortage of qualified, well trained mechanics. which they also predicted.
They both agreed that less than 5% of contractors in our industry knew or understood the business of contracting or making a profit. That was 25 years ago. I'm unsure if it got better, I'd say it's the same. Now there's an extreme shortage of qualified, well trained mechanics. which they also predicted.
Re: Homeowners Versus Contractors
Learning to be a good plumbing or hydronic troubleshooter is a good niche. Stay away from the price sensitive new installation price wars.
Troubleshooters should never be out of work and can pick most any location to ply their trade.
Help wanted ads on trucks and wholesalers walls all around N America.
Troubleshooters should never be out of work and can pick most any location to ply their trade.
Help wanted ads on trucks and wholesalers walls all around N America.
hot_rod
1
Re: Advice for replacing torn Flex with metal ducts
If the AC worked with 14" Flex, then 14" round metal will have less restriction because it is smooth inside. So you are probably correct with the size. If you want to be sure that the critters stay away from the insulation, you can get sections of 20" metal duct to put around the insulation and seal it with tape. If you insulate any metal duct with bubble wrap or fiberglass duct wrap, then you will always have that same concern. The best critter repellant is to get something they don't like the smell of and place it around the duct work. Moth balls are offensive to some critters, find out what type critter and what smell they don't like, then put that stuff near your stuff that you don't want the critters near.
Just don't tell EllieMay that you don't like Critters
Re: Homeowners Versus Contractors
Hi, Just read the whole thread... Long ago, I didn't want to have to compete on price, so I specialized in domestic hot water. It wasn't too many years before I was getting referrals from the water company and power company, who both have rules saying they never refer contractors. I was also getting referrals from other contractors. I sent them all the other plumbing work that wasn't about hot water, so that part made some sense. So, the way to sidestep the whole competitive pricing issue for me was to specialize, and give the kind of work to other contractors that they liked best. Guess I've spent most of my life in left field. 
Yours, Larry
Yours, Larry
