Design Process

[Eieio]

How involved are you in the design process of your jobs. I do lots of preliminary drawings in house.

I like to get the concept down and then turn it over to be fine tuned and final specifications to be added

We do some stuff in house, some of it especially kitchens and bathrooms go out to the kitchen and bath designers/suppliers.

How much control do you exercise of the the creation of your jobs or do you leave up to the owner or designer to work things out.

[kevjob]

I like to be involve right from the original estimate, it helps me to offer changes and veto any stupid changes offered by knuckle head designers. Kitchens go thru my cabinet supplier as they do all my cad work.

[Eieio]

I like to be involve right from the original estimate, it helps me to offer changes and veto any stupid changes offered by knuckle head designers. Kitchens go thru my cabinet supplier as they do all my cad work.


Do you meet the kitchen designer on site or do you let them meet with the customer directly with out your interaction?

[kevjob]

I just met with him today and we are working out the logistics but it looks like he will do a site visit to measure for tops and cabs send me the info and I can put together a total bid for kitchen remodel, I think this will save time and effort on my part.

[KitchenSync]

*cough* As one of the, er, knuckle-headed designers, :grin: I follow through on all CAD, specifications, final architectural details, meet with the boss and subs to iron out any design challenges, and act as the liaison between crew and client.

So we have a lot of control. I do get antsy with new subs -- there's always a learning period until you both get used to the expectations.

[TulsaRemodeler]

How involved are you in the design process of your jobs. I do lots of preliminary drawings in house.

I like to get the concept down and then turn it over to be fine tuned and final specifications to be added

We do some stuff in house, some of it especially kitchens and bathrooms go out to the kitchen and bath designers/suppliers.

How much control do you exercise of the the creation of your jobs or do you leave up to the owner or designer to work things out.
I go back and forth with the homeowner, never had a designer involved or subbed anything out except floor refinishing etc. I'm less GC like and more of a personal craftsman, that sounds corny right? I have always gravitiated towards highly customized handbuilt stuff. Paper and pencil, rough mockups, feeling out the customer and making it in my own style, no computer design programs. I know for a fact I'm making less money but I am what I am, better at making stuff then I am at business. They seem like two completely different worlds to me.

I'd probably be better off working for someone else but I cant handle that, too old, way too independent and I get evil if anyone tells me what to do or how to do it.

[Eieio]

I have used quite a few. I know have one that I honestly trust that see is on her A game all the time.

I can send the customers to here email a budget and she takes care of everything. Even notes complicated or potential problem areas for us to check before the order is placed.

[TulsaRemodeler]

I think if it wasnt just the homeowner and I involved in the design I would completely lose interest in working.

[Eieio]

I think if it wasnt just the homeowner and I involved in the design I would completely lose interest in working.


When you are running multiple jobs you use that Design period to transition from one job to the next.

We normally have 4-8 jobs going on at a time.

[KitchenSync]

I know for a fact I'm making less money but I am what I am, better at making stuff then I am at business...

I'd probably be better off working for someone else but I cant handle that, too old, way too independent and I get evil if anyone tells me what to do or how to do it.

That's why the boss hired me - he likes making stuff and I like thinking through everything with him. Don't think I would dream of telling him what to do, but it sure is fun to work through the "what ifs" together...

But I know what you mean; it can be hard to change gears. Even when I was independent, I had a great group of contractors I worked with all the time. Took awhile to get used to working the way I do now.

[TulsaRemodeler]

When you are running multiple jobs you use that Design period to transition from one job to the next.

We normally have 4-8 jobs going on at a time.
If I had 4-8 jobs going on at the same time I would need someone to manage me. Youre an INTJ, I'm an INTP. You do structure, I draw outside the lines :)

[Eieio]

If I had 4-8 jobs going on at the same time I would need someone to manage me. Youre an INTJ, I'm an INTP. You do structure, I draw outside the lines :)


I have absolutely no structure at all. I hired good people that do. This is what Kitchensynch is doing for her boss, providing structure and organization.

I have 7 of kitchensynchs working with me and I get to shoot the sh1te all day :idea:

[TulsaRemodeler]

I have 7 of kitchensynchs working with me and I get to shoot the sh1te all day :idea:
I have no clue how to accomplish that. I dont like most people and impossible for me to fake it, even if I like them I generally want nothing to do with them. Tell me what you want, shut up and go away, thats how I work. :builder2:

[Eieio]

I have no clue how to accomplish that

I would hire someone like you in a heart beat. You would have fun working for me and not feel stifled. You'd probably run me off the job so you can get your work done.

Its all in how you interact with people.

[TulsaRemodeler]

I would hire someone like you in a heart beat. You would have fun working for me and not feel stifled. You'd probably run me off the job so you can get your work done.

I probably could work for you, the only guy I ever worked for, for any period of time was completely hands off with me. He'd ask me if I needed anything, tell me what needed done and walk off. He took me from $12hr to $50hr in 5 years, I still quit once or twice a year. The last time he got smart and insinuated I couldnt handle stress, that was it. :thumbsdown:

[SLS-Construction]

Mind you - most jobs around here go with stock &/or semi-custom cabinets. Most kitchens I generally work up the designs. Occasionally the HO will already have their cabinets & design work already done by one of the local cabinet shops - I do everything else. For bathrooms, decks, additions, new construction here in AL - I have done it all so far

[Eieio]

I probably could work for you, the only guy I ever worked for, for any period of time was completely hands off with me. He'd ask me if I needed anything, tell me what needed done and walk off. He took me from $12hr to $50hr in 5 years, I still quit once or twice a year. The last time he got smart and insinuated I couldnt handle stress, that was it. :thumbsdown:

That is how I work. When I do come to the site. I am a laborer for my guys. I make cuts. Get lumber and fiddle around.

When they need a real answer I give it to them and go back to work. I try to do that about 15-20 hours a week.

You learn a lot by helping my guys and analyzing what it takes to perform a task, what's involved to get something done and how much time it takes to do what.

Helps to ensure accurate estimates as well

[Mike(VA)]

I try to get myself into any design process since I am the one who has to build it. I won't do a kitchen without at least checking the unit list of cabs. Too many times I find that what is designed is wrong, or not enough fillers, etc. We design some stuff here but most is done by architects and CAD draftsmen we work closely with.

However, don't get me started on most archys way of doing drawings. Got one now where everything is boilerplate, no details, and V.I.F. notes everywhere. Not my regular archy.

[TulsaRemodeler]

That is how I work. When I do come to the site. I am a laborer for my guys. I make cuts. Get lumber and fiddle around.

Thats someone who knows what their doing, a delegator. Natural born leader.

What I want to do is find a business partner, an equal that is great at what I'm not.

[HomerJ]

We hand draw floor plans for bathrooms and basements. Kitchen cabinet designs are done by my supplier after I give them detailed measurements and the customer's wish list. The HO can meet with that designer if they want, but they rarely need to.

[Eieio]

Thats someone who knows what their doing, a delegator. Natural born leader.

What I want to do is find a business partner, an equal that is great at what I'm not.

Gas up the Pinto I will be in Tulsa on saturday:grin:

[TulsaRemodeler]

Gas up the Pinto I will be in Tulsa on saturday:grin:
Pinto? Pfft, I got a vega :rolleyes3:

[KitchenSync]

I have 7 of kitchensynchs working with me and I get to shoot the sh1te all day :idea:

:speechless: I'm doing it wrong, aren't I? *sulks*

[Eieio]

:speechless: *sulks*

that was a compliment:builder2:

[KitchenSync]

that was a compliment:builder2:

Got that, thanks. :2thumbsup: Was entranced more by your day job description than my own at the moment...

[Eieio]

Got that, thanks. :2thumbsup: Was entranced more by your day job description than my own at the moment...

Being an professional Slacker has its benefits

[naptownCr]

I always did my own designs drawings specs management etc.

I have always been a control freak in my professional life.

I rarely let anyone else drive me anywhere as the stress level is way too high.

I would rather drive the family for 18 hours straight than let someone else drive because I am unable to sleep anyway and know I will die a horrible death.

[Silvertree]

You and I will never do a road trip then.

[SLS-Construction]

Dittos - maybe we need a poll on who will not ride in a vehicle as a passenger unless they are drugged & then we can figure out what the original post was about...

[naptownCr]

You and I will never do a road trip then.

onluy if I do all the driving

Dittos - maybe we need a poll on who will not ride in a vehicle as a passenger unless they are drugged & then we can figure out what the original post was about...

This post was hijacked a long time ago.

HMMMMMM drugs maybe that's the key to long road trips

[testarossa]

Thanks for the info..:grin: