House Constuction Contractor - Sharing Experience

[vkalavar]

Some of the things I did not like so far are

1. He has given plumbing work to a local guy whose work i m not liking. I have strictly asked him to change the plumber unless his work quality improves. He has to fit wall mounted commode which i m going to scrutinize him.
2. He always seems to take certain things for granted. For example, he never mentioned to me while buying bath room tiles, front gate, wood frames etc. However, i was ok with overall quality, I have asked him to replace Front Gate or modify the grill.
3. We need to remind him certain points as he keeps forgetting, he has at least 5 projects on his hands at present i guess. For me he has forgotten to add stone slab in bath rooms, box to keep LPG cylinder outside kitchen, Gate light option etc. I need to get it done now.

[mcneha]

Hi new_house!

It is almost impossible for a contractor to satisfy all the 5 owners of his last projects. When you say 99% of contractors are crooks, it may be vice versa when looked from contractor's angle. It is hard to satisfy(5 owners X 500 members for gruhapravesham =) 2500 people. The so called excellent buildings need excellent cost, excellent design, excellent labour contractors. Please do not compare or imagine any cost for any building.

Whenever you select an engineer please try to see his technical skill, flexibility and sincerity. Nothing beyond that. All of us know that constructing a house and conducting a marriage are the toughest jobs in our culture. The engineer or contractor should think that his business is to help someone to achieve a great thing in his life and similarly owner should think that the engineer or contractor is assisting him to achieve a great thing in his life.

Actual fact is that 99% of genuine engineers or contractors are facing lot of rejections(lots of experience ). When a genuine engineer or contractor offers his services, they are neglected. When people go with some sort of calculation and since many a times, labour heads who have become contractos(repeated in my posts many times) are selected, people end up in saying that 99% of contractors are crook.

Regards
CHANDRASEKAR

[new_house]

@ramki067

going by my experience do NOT give plumbing, woodwork, external steel, compound wall, tiles to him at the outset. Tell him you will look for other people. In the course of time, you consider his people, if you are happy with him. Ask him to prepare a rate without all this.

My rule of thumb. Migrant labour are better than local labour. Inspite of me being pure local. Migrant labour have fire and they work harder.

Ask him how does he resolve conflicts. Suppose you are not satisfied and he is not happy .. what are the exit clauses.. what are the penalties...if you want to exit.


Do NOT engage anyone in haste. It is your hardearned money.

[new_house]

Dear Sir

Hi new_house!

It is almost impossible for a contractor to satisfy all the 5 owners of his last projects. When you say 99% of contractors are crooks, it may be vice versa when looked from contractor's angle. It is hard to satisfy(5 owners X 500 members for gruhapravesham =) 2500 people. The so called excellent buildings need excellent cost, excellent design, excellent labour contractors. Please do not compare or imagine any cost for any building.


The feedback I meant is whether he is reliable, quality, workmanship, project management, work ethic, execution and attention to detail. One should not select a contractor based on opinion poll of 2500 people who come will only see the finish and not details. I am not talking about landmark building. Simple 500 sqft house whether he executes well on all parameters. We as a nation cannot small jobs properly, I cant imagine what happens to large projects.

Whenever you select an engineer please try to see his technical skill, flexibility and sincerity. Nothing beyond that. All of us know that constructing a house and conducting a marriage are the toughest jobs in our culture. The engineer or contractor should think that his business is to help someone to achieve a great thing in his life and similarly owner should think that the engineer or contractor is assisting him to achieve a great thing in his life.



Actual fact is that 99% of genuine engineers or contractors are facing lot of rejections(lots of experience ). When a genuine engineer or contractor offers his services, they are neglected. When people go with some sort of calculation and since many a times, labour heads who have become contractos(repeated in my posts many times) are selected, people end up in saying that 99% of contractors are crook.

In our country, people in the construction industry do not undergo vocational training and certification. Due to high economic growth there is severe shortage of skilled people and now we have many crooks.

Regards
CHANDRASEKAR

[vkalavar]

One more thing, he has decided to put black colour cool glass for windows shutters even though I wanted frosted glass. I discussed with him for replace. Total wastage he was mentioning 10k though I'm not sure on this. After discussing with my friend who has put same quality glass on pros and cons I decided to go with the same.

I just wanted to mention here that always have someone from your side to monitor things. Else these things are common.

Tmrw I m taking him to BVK Road to buy electrical items, hopefully I find right shop. I'm thinking of buying Crabtree switches.

Now I have to travel overseas for 2 to 3 months from July first week, I have asked him to keep the painting and bath room fittings work after I come back. He has accepted, however I need to see hoe can I retain temp electrical connection more than two months.

[new_house]

At one place, I have seen crabtree switches don't work well. Crabtreee is from Havell. Havell is a good company into electrical stuff like fans etc.

The old ones like Lisha are more durable than modular. But if you have used metalic boxes, than you have to use modular.

[vkalavar]

I had visited Havell/Crabtree authorized dealer today in Chikapet.

For Havells wires - 46% & Finolex - 35% (original) and switches Crabtree - Athena - 63% & Crabtree- Varona - 68% they quoted. Later I had a chat with Havells sales Mgr Unnikrishnan and made him talk to shop guy and Crabtree - Varona discount increased to 70% (without bill).

Howver, the wire price was higher hence, I did not buy wires today, switches I might go to same shop. However based on my electrician suggestion i decided to go to Roma (Old & Reliable company) instead of Crabtree.

Thanks

[ausraja]

I talked to my electrician today and he told legrand is the best and crabtree has a lot of problem overtime.

I have no idea what is he benefiting from this and what teh true facts are ....

[mcneha]

Hi new_house!

There are definitely skilled people available who are building beautiful buildings. As I told in my earlier posts, residential buildings should be executed very patiently like sculpture. Many feel proud in completing the building in just 4 months.

The main conflict comes with the final amount of expenses. There is an ideal way of execution wherein you will get every week's accounts status clearly mentioning: a)Expenses upto date b)Expenses of materials(different heads) c)Expenses of labours(different heads) d)Expenses of unestimated items e)Change in total cost.

There is a clear format showing all these details and when the work progress, these statements help the engineer to advise you whether to go for an expense which shall be avoided or executed according to your capability. When you are having every 7 days status, where is the question of increase in the expenses? This may not suit for people who have a mindset only for contracts.

Regards
CHANDRASEKAR

[pgurunayak]

Hi all,
Going through posts , i feel i am lucky to have a cotractor...not a contractor but friend, who take cares of everything(even he disclosed me the profit he gets, but assured me of 1st class quality) and doing pretty good. Because of him i am relived as i am in canada , and my wife visit just whenevr required.
I just explained him my plans , he himself did the archetecture drawings, explained me evrything(wrt Vastu) and informed me what will be budget if various materials used.I understood that the budget varies wrt interiors only(ie tiles,windows , and interiors) other than that he is very strict about structures quality .
I finished upto 2nd floor , with no issues what so ever with him , he maintained quality and within budget and i am really happy with him.
If any body interested i can share his cell no(Please note that i am not marketing/repr'tg any one, but sharing my experience with my contractor).
Regards
PPG