Certain Types of Work You Won't Do?

[MNTileGuy]

I'm just curious...

I've gotten to a point where there's certain jobs I have no desire to mess with. Anything outdoors I try to stay away from, for example. It just seems like there's so much more that can go wrong when you're exposed to the elements.

The other biggie I avoid is larger floors, say over 500 ft. You guys up north are probably like "you're f-ing crazy", but around here, they tend to be sold to the lowest bidder, which is your $2 a foot guy, if that. I can't tell you how many I've bid and never heard back on. Plus most folks don't want their house tore up more than a few days, which is pretty hard to accomplish working alone.

It seems like bathrooms are where the best $ is, so I'm trying to stick to that. Plus, they lend themselves well to working alone.

I'm guessing those of you that do alot of work for GC's or designers just have to take what's thrown at you. For better or worse, I don't have that "problem". Anyone else in my boat?

[Shaughnn]

I won't install over someone else's prep work. I won't take restaurant remodel work. There are a lot of island communities up here in the Puget Sound and I've turned down projects there because I don't want to spend that time away from my family.
Shaughnn
PS: I forgot to include a strong reservation against taking remodel work for "engineers". I don't tell them "I won't do it", I just tell them, "I won't do it your way". That usually works.

[ob1kanobee]

Off the top of my head I'd have to say water fountains or water features including pools (completely tiled pools). Seems every time I ever got involved with a project that involved a lot of water besides a shower it was a real PITA well long after the project was even completed and I couldn't charge enough money.

Last indoor fountain I bid was almost $30,000 and the GC about fell over and I thought I was giving him a break. I eventually was told ok but I ended up passing and haven't done one since. Hell I even lost money on a giant bird bath once but that really wasn't my fault since I didn't bid it.

[Topspin]

The list is long. I've developed an envelope I like to stay within. Areas of interest and expertise.

The ones that come to mind is the recently disgruntled prospect or the impossible to please. Disgruntled - that just had a bad install by someone else won't be happy paying twice in the same month for a proper job. Impossible to please are the ones who immediately tell you every fault of every contractor they've ever worked with, and their current legal status with each of those contractors. The profile usually includes a spotless designer outfitted home, stable of cars on carpet or waxed floors, gardeners. Yes its a chance to give them an great contractor experience that will change their outlook on the world. But the ones I am talking about don't want to change their outlook, they like crabbing. I am always booked for that window of opportunity.

I look for smiles to begin with. Life is too short.

[java]

Yep.

[John Bridge]

Since I retarred I try to stay away from anything that has the word tile in it.

I still do family work, though. Never get away from that.

[Houston Remodeler]

This being Houston, I do a lot of work for engineers. They do require special handling.

I don't do roofing anymore. That's a sport for younger men then I. Same goes for anything that requires digging. Maybe I'm just getting old.

[ceramictec]

jobs that are in a rush, jobs when the customer wants you there asap, jobs for designers (they are annoying to deal with), cheap customers looking for a "economy" or "budget" job, people that are just plain grumpy or rude, work over others prep, I WILL NOT tile over another's waterproofing, mud bed, cementboard (walls or floor) or continue off another's tile that was already started. noooo thanks!

[Hammy]

Right now, I believe I'm not going to do any more shower pan rebuilds. Many many shower pans here built right on the floor and last about 4 years. Too much of a pain in the a** even though the money is good. Im currently finishing up my last one. Only reason I took this one is we were ready to start on another complete shower for same customer when this one fell apart.

Hammy

[Davestone]

No night work.
No engineers or lawyers.
No more commercial installs.
No white limestones.
No large Crema Marfil.
No large demolition.

[Lump]

We decided this year we would not be doing any more floors that are not with in flattness tolerances for the tile we are using. If it's not flat or you wont pay to have it fixed then we walk away. Also trying our best to not use pigmented grouts.

[2MinutesHate]

1. Motels by suitcase contractors
2. Residential work where the family needs to be accommodated daily due to only 1 shower.
3. Jobs where another competitor is either going belly up or is in dispute with the owner/general contractor.
4. Graveyard restaurant remodels where the areas are never shut down.
5. Any work for general contractors who are known for bid shopping. These folks play a large part for the declining wages in the construction industry.

[Meowloud]

- Any work that you can visually tell it financially pains them just to get a Deposit to get on the schedule. These are always the ones where milestone payments are late and the company/customer tries to find a reason not to pay that last chunk of change

[java]

Yep.

[tile dummy]

Jobs i won't do? all of them if i get rich hitting the lottery.