Some Friendly Advice PLEASE?

[Bud Cline]

John and others,

I am quoting a major name roadside hotel/motel to update their tile entries.

There are 12 entries measuring a nominal 6'-0" X 10'-0". These entries are now garden variety 6" X 6" quarry. This quarry is to be removed and replaced with new tile (12"). I intend to remove the existing tile with a standup air chisel. Noise is a factor for them and I can only make noise between the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekdays. The fact that this activity will also transmit the plinking of the concrete subfloor throughout their property, and there will probably be some complaints from their guests is also an issue. There always have been noise complaints when I've done this in the past on other motel projects.

How do you guys handle this situation, and how on earth do you estimate the labor cost of this demolition process?

[Sponsored Links]

[John Bridge]

Geez, again I'm going to sound stuck up and smug, and I'm neither.

Fact is, I don't take jobs like that, and for the past several years I haven't even done light commercial.

And I never have been a demo contractor. I've always paid tribute where tribute is due (to the demo contractor). I would tell them to get the crap out of the way so I can come in and do my thing, which is tile setting.

But I'll bet you Sonnie might have something to add here. Sonnie is a tile setter who goes beyond tile setting.

[flatfloor]

You want friendly advice, I'll give you friendly advice! Join the circus!

Boy, what trouble I can get in when the Mets loose three in a row.

[Bri]

I did a hotel with 24 bathrooms that needed to be priced with the same situtuation...I gave them 2 separate quotes..one for as you discribed(for a huge price) and another for going on top of the existing and using marble threasholds to make up for the height difference(which was much cheaper)...well they never even thought about going on top..so I got the job...and did about 6 a day.And they were really happy since there was no noise or dust. You may not be able to do this in your situation..but it can't hurt to try...the worst that can happen is you won't get the job..

Brian

[Bud Cline]

There is a local group of investors. Three years ago I did 115 sleeping room bath floors in one of their properties, went pretty good but a huge pain in the ass. Did six rooms per day and could have done more. Cover up.

Last year in another of their properties I did 90 plus rooms, wanted 10 per day and they agreed. They pulled and replaced the doors and commodes. They weren't able to do the math though. On the third day when they realized they would have 40 rooms out of service at the same time they crapped and everything came to a screeching halt. I was driving 50 miles roundtrip each day for three rooms a day. I got pissed and the extras began. They weren't all that happy with me at the end. At least this was the posture of the maintenance manager, the one that couldn't do the math.

Three months later one of the investors called me to install porcelain in the kitchen of his residence. I spent two days cussin' and discussin' the layout with his wife. She was a sweetheart but mindless. I finally started tiling on a friday, got 40 feet in and went home for the weekend. Also 50 mile roundtrips. When I returned on the following monday she had again changed her mind. I tore out the 40, repaired the CBU's, waited a week for replacement goods. She called to say the tile was there, so the next morning I promptly arrived at 8 am to find 400 feet of marble tile waiting for me. That changed things a little. Extras flew from every corner. When completed they paid me in full and didn't blink an eye.

Now this. This time I'll be working for a hired gun manager that thinks highly of himself and his ability to tell me how to do this job. If I get it that is. I may be a favorite son by this time and I may not, I can't really tell. They have always paid my charges, but if this sucker goes like some of their others I could be walking home on the final day. There is one more property remaining that nothing has been updated in in many years. Maybe it's next.

Just wondering how others approach these damned demo's.

[John Bridge]

I would definitely try to convince them to go over the existing tile. If you used a fast setting thin set, you could have the rooms operational the following day.

Set and grout the same day. Pop the commode back in in the morning.

[Bud Cline]

Same job....ONE MORE QUESTION!

I finally got time to sit down today and total my measurements.

HA!

Why do you suppose they would ask me for a bid to R&R 800 sq. ft. of tile when there is in fact 987 sq. ft. to be done????

When I began to throw my tape they told me "that wouldn't be necessary" they had already paced it off and there was "almost" 800 ft.

"IMAGINE THAT"???

[Sonnie Layne]

Hey Bud,

Sounds to me like you need to let your past experiences with this group of people lead your decision.

Demo is interesting and I do a fair amount of it while people are living in their houses with little disturbance. (I bill for the pet walking/feeding thingy). Just seems to me that with all you've said ...well, wouldn't want to see anyone get snake bit even if I don't know them personally.

Snakes, in the grass or on the street still deserve the respect they deserve and demand.

my best regards,
Sonnie Layne

[flatfloor]

While still installing a new salesman got us a job during which I ran out of material three quarters of the way thru. I couldn't understand it until I asked him about measuring. "Oh! I got the dimensions from the owner."

Oooookay.

[Bud Cline]

This hotel manager is a guy I don't know and have never had any dealings with. I do know some of the owners but this ain't their gig. Aaannnddd, this manager is leaving in a few weeks, probably before the job is done.

Why am I so suspicious of people? Will twenty five years in the business make you cynical do you think?

You bet your ass it will!



[Edited by Bud Cline on 06-02-2001 at 03:31 PM]