P.I.A. Job

[NS'Creter]

So we got a call from a general contractor to look at a repair he needs done at a reno he's doing. I went to look...whooo ...nasty situation! There's a 34' walkway that he's willing to form if we'll place it (because I don't really have the time). That's the easy part. The section of concrete that the diving board is supposed to be anchored by is cracked. Apparently if you're on the end of the board that piece of 'crete lifts with your weight. Not good. The big issue is that there is not easy access to the area with a wheelbarrow fulla fresh mud. The pool is on a lower level deck that's normally accessed by 4 steep stairs. We can't take a section of wood fence out...it wouldn't be noticable once we were done and had it put back and it could put us on the proper level at the correct end...so we can't do that. I guess a temporary ramp is the only solution that will work. We have to demo and remove the bad section, attach the board to a real anchor and replace the deck. It's a 20' section that's 3' at the ends and curves out to 5' at the center where the board is. Not big job, but it is a big problem.

I've got it figured out and we can squeeze it in but I find my price high. I can't seem to get it any lower than $3,000.00. Any opinions or suggestions out there? I'm gonna hafta tell the general what my price and timeline is tomorrow. I would normally walk away from something like this, but the general is in a bind and I'd like to help him.

[ECI]

Your price can be high, not much notice and he is in a bind as it
will help him finish the reno and you are willing to work with the
unacessable work area. He is going to make money on you doing
it as a general. So he can count on you to be Johnny on the spot
who else would be that quick to respond? It will be one thing he
won't have to worry about cause it will be done. We all have contractors that charge way over the industry norm just by their name and get it. So if he wants it done quick it costs.

[NS'Creter]

Yeah, that's kind of how I'm rationalizing it. The ready-mix cost is $800.00 ...I thought about mixing on site, but there's the dust to worry about poolside and I'd never get 5,000psi. Figure the demo & disposal, supplying a little gravel, the rebar & mesh, forming and placing the board anchor and placing the patio/deck. Plus there is the p.i.a. fee and the rush fee...also who do they come after if there's an issue down the road?

It's all plain...I'd like to sell 'em on staining and engraving it. It must be 2,000sqft in total.

[NS'Creter]

I hope I'm not sorry for this but I allowed the general to negotiate my price to $2,500.00. I do want to help him out and because of who the client is and the possibility of more work from the general I "bent". I should still make a little profit at that rate...I hope so. Am I a moron for doin' that?

It's still too humid to seal...the rain from last night still hasn't dried on my patio.

[ECI]

I might be wrong but loyalty is almost lost, it mostly ends up one
sided. The General was in a bind, you were available and do good work so he called you. I bet he didn't discount his charge for you.
Ask him if the customer can just pay you and see his response.
I am just saying he skimmed you down on your price what will the customer see of it. He doesn't need to make money on both ends and you being responsible for the workmanship. why did
the crete fail the first time and only at that point?

[NS'Creter]

This isn't the original homeowner and I'd say the pool deck is in the 10 - 15 year old range. Without even doing any demo I can tell that the installer cheaped out big time...thus the crack.

As far as any more work from the general goes...whatever. I won't lose on it (I hope) and if more work comes "Great!" if not ...it's no loss. If anything else we'll do great work and the client will know it was us.

One thing about the general was something he said to me..."I did my homework and checked out some of your work. You're the best and that's why you're here." ...now I immeadiatly figured he was blowin' smoke up my butt. Then, if you knew who else did concrete work here...maybe he was sincere.

[NS'Creter]

Haven't heard back on this one...I would think that if they're taking my deal they'd be on it by now. They're supposed to be in a big hurry. I hope they don't go for it... Heh,heh

[alexwright]

You could use a concrete pump. Don't know if you have any in your area. In a situation like that we would just pump it and let the hose do all the work.

[NS'Creter]

For a bigger job that is the way to go Alex. They charge $140.00 per hour with a $600.00 minimum here. Bobcat makes a dandy little one that has amazing capabilities. It attaches to their skidsteer loaders, but can't be rented (here) and carry a $40,000.00 tag. I do intend to get a machine 'cause we're getting to the point where renting is no longer the way to go. I would seriously consider one of those pumps then 'cause I'm certain that I could hire it out when I wasn't using it.

[takenforgranit]

Sunds like they either wern't really in a hurry or looking for other alternatives. Having been skinned frequently by GCs I think next time one calls me I will refer him to Gay Bear Concrete Girly Guys.

I would be glad that one walked on by. Hard tellin what evil lurked under that gnarly surface. If the concrete guy did that bad he likely made more than one goof up.

[NS'Creter]

Ya never cease to make me laugh! ;D That's funny stuff right there. You're also probably right on the money about what evil may lurk below. Rest assured, I will not be making any follow up calls on it.

[takenforgranit]

I was not trying to make a joke of those concrete "pros" I reccomended the GB Concrete Girly Guys becaus of their vast experience with PIA jobs. With all those cracks, who better?

[NS'Creter]

Oh I hear ya man...makes nothin' but good sense. As usual.

[alexwright]

If he does call you just let him know you got real busy as well and don't have time. As for pumps they are not as easy as just buying and renting them out. They can be a nightmare and dangerous for an inexperienced person without proper training. I was a pumper for 6 years. That's where my back went. "Big rocks" 1" rock, can make a lot of money but require loads of maintenance. Peagravel (3/8") pumps can make lots of money but is way more difficult to learn than "big rock", however, just routine maitenance is needed and the hoses are way lighter. Your probably referring to a Boom Pump.

[NS'Creter]

I was squeezing them in anyway, so as far as they're concerned my dance card is full.
The only pumping equipment here are a couple of boom trucks. That's another reason why I thought that I could probably make a buck with the Bobcat attachment. If our ICF construction gets going this season the Bobcat's capabilities will fulfill the requirements with that. Plus some of our flatwork placing where a pump would save a lot of wheelbarrows and time. Then, if we're not using it I'm certain that I could hire out the machine nd operator.
I also have a dream of installing gunite swimming pools and ponds that are natural looking. There are no gunite pools here now an I think that a real market exists. ....aaah the dream!