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Posted By: sparky What's a good GC ? - 10/24/01 12:55 AM
I'd like to expand Bill's former customer Q to ask about GC's. I work for a lot of them, so do the same concerns/observations etc apply?

What makes a good GC in your book?
Posted By: sparky66wv Re: What's a good GC ? - 10/24/01 02:15 AM
Ideally, it would be one who would fire any of his grunts for even looking like they might touch cables, staples, boxes, covers, devices, luminaires, etc.

(Do not touch, move, modify or otherwise change my work!!! A real pet peave of mine... I really hate it when they use my EGC pigtails to open their glue when drywalling...)

And also says while writing the check, "You sure that's enough?"... [Linked Image]
Posted By: pauluk Re: What's a good GC ? - 10/24/01 08:04 PM
Well, I only do sub-contract work for one GC on a regular basis. He never gripes about paying me [Linked Image], but I wish the jobs were organized a little better.

I sometimes get only a vague idea as to what needs to be done, so I have no time to order material in advance.

"Get what you need at the local shop on he day," he says. Fine, except the small local stores don't stock anything but the basic items, and those at double the prices I normally pay.

So, my vote is "Good planning & organization." And please don't use my screwdrivers as concrete chisels....
Posted By: Fred Re: What's a good GC ? - 10/24/01 08:18 PM
A good GC in my opinion is one who schedules considerately, discusses price with everyone's best interest in mind, affords due respect to the trades he subs and pays in a timely manor. I have the privilege of working for a couple of these.
Posted By: electure Re: What's a good GC ? - 10/24/01 11:17 PM
A good GC is proactive rather than reactive, tries to foresee things before they become a problem, and tries to resolve them before they become a nightmare. (No "Cross that bridge when we get to it" mentality)
Posted By: CanadianSparky Re: What's a good GC ? - 10/25/01 01:11 AM
The best GC.....a former electrician that realized who was making all the money.
Posted By: sparky66wv Re: What's a good GC ? - 10/25/01 04:02 AM
Wow... I'm jealous... I didn't know that organized GC's existed...

[Linked Image]
Posted By: sparky66wv Re: What's a good GC ? - 10/25/01 04:08 AM
Back in my journeyman days with Hixson:

Once, a painter removed my properly labelled "GFCI Protected" covers and they ended up in random places throughout the house, some even "upside down"...

The painter was still there when I discovered it, and I exclaimed "it ain't 'rocket science'!!!"

Turns out said painter was indeed an ex-aerospace engineer who had worked for JPL...

Ooops!

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 10-25-2001).]
Posted By: sparky Re: What's a good GC ? - 10/25/01 10:59 AM
Yes there are some orginized GC's as the posters mention here. There are GC associations, @ both national & state levels. Some states have a very specific criterior to wear the GC hat ( check FLA i believe) , some do not.

If you live in a state like VT where there are; #1) No requirements as to 'GC'
#2) No single family inspection .
the obvious result during the recent construction 'boom' is rather hard to stomach.
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