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Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job

I always figured that if I built a house I'd hire contractors by the day, to give them the option of bailing without feeling too bad about it.

ratio

2

Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job

I've worked with many GCs over the years. The best ones are:

Knowledgable of the various trades, patient, well organized, have a sense of humor, accommodating, but also firm and assertive.

Bilingual is a plus, almost a must in my neck of the woods.

hot_rod

3

Re: Replacing an old/inefficient oil burner with...an oil burner (?) Or...?

Forget about peerless there just about done and will be ancient mayan history within a few years if that long . Spend the money get a ek and in the future either you or the next owner can switch from oil to gas being ek is approved for either fuel unlike most oil fired cast iron boilers. Also i believe that a ek may be set up as direct vent possibly so either chimney lining or direct vent . The other biggy is built in america off shelf parts and compared to most mod con boiler it does not have a 10 to 15 year life expectancy and should in all likelyhood out live most who post here and unless a idiot most can service there boilers that is if they are not clueless which is hit or miss these days . Do yourself and the next owner a favor forget about mod cons unless your system is designed for low temp the pay back will come just as its time to replace . One of the most important issue is tech service which i know from this site which the owner of ek watches is beyond the tops in comparison to larger boiler manufacturers ek gives you answers period and from my limited dealings with are on point . Forget about naviens disposable drive by boilers

peace and good luck clammy

clammy

4

Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job

Doesn't this really depend on the scope and complexity of the job? For instance, to actually build a house, let's say, on a vacant lot, there are many trades involved (including some Professional Engineering — or there should be) and the average homeowner would, in my view, be ill advised to be the general contractor. On the other hand, finding a good GC could also be remarkably difficult (to be honest, I can't think oof one in my area for a job of that scope, although there are a couple of firms for commercial work). On the other hand, for building a new deck, same (not all) homeowners would be well qualified. For some other jobs — let's take one I did a couple of years ago, installing a complete minisplit system for an apartment) is the company doing the insallation a GC? There are several trades involved — in this instance, a couple acting as subcontractors to the firm providing and installing the heat pump and commissioning it. Is that firm a GC?

Fizzy question. fuzzy answer…

Jamie Hall

2

A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job

I have reluctantly done this a few times over the years. Rarely goes well. Your thoughts & experiences? Mad Dog

Mad Dog_2

1

Re: Your favorite Heating Help questions

"Should I run one pipe or two pipe (for oil)?

"Should I install a Tiger Loop"

LRCCBJ

2

Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question

It's an interesting problem — and the hazards involved are, oddly, more common for plumbing and roofing than electrical. That said, to refuse to use this type of fitting or that one really isn't very helpful. The value of evaluating, with care, the merits of using one type of fitting or another are unquestionable. The best type of fitting will vary so much with the application and situation.

I admit to being vaguely amused by the comment on insurance company A fighting insurance company B. What is perhaps not noted — or obvious — is that in historic restoration work the building on which you are working is likely to not be insured for structural or contents loss at all (the standard replacement coverage) — in fact, to be uninsurable for any practical purpose (they may look like homes or churches or something of that sort — but may also be museums). What this effectively means is that any "insurance" has to be found in the craftsmanship and integrity of the workmen. And evaluating that, and the relative merits and hazards of methods to be used, is a large part of the (often thankless!) job of the individual supervising and directing the work…Makes it more interesting…

Jamie Hall

2

Your favorite Heating Help questions

The ongoing debate about use of SharkBite fittings made me laugh, because it seems there a number of "hot button" questions that are guaranteed to spark a lively debate here. Here are some of my favorite questions, because they seem to have the highest entertainment value:

1.How large a pickup factor does my steam system really need?

2. What is the actual efficiency of a cast iron boiler?

3. How much money will a new EK 2000 save me?

4. Can I use a SharkBite fitting?

And @EBEBRATT-Ed added some of his favorites:

What type of pipe dope do I use?

How do I add a "C" wire to a thermostat?

My burner will not start, what is wrong with it.

Who makes the best boiler?

What does the equalizer do?

So what are some of your favorite HH questions or topics, based mainly on entertainment value?