Dude,
Get word of mouth from trusted person. Talk on phone, meet,
walk job, review plans, talk, compare notes, past projects, problem
solve together, repeat process until satisfied, then do due diligence.
Last week: I just did preselection interviews and follow up
calls to references and background checks for a lead abatement job. I
asked the Building Committee for contractors who had done good work for
them in the past and that should be called. A member of the parish it
turned out was a past member of the building committee and had painted
all the buildings eighteen years prior. (A recommendation from people I
just met.) During the phone call I learned the contractor had worked
for some of the most reputable restoration contractors in the state
(whom I did know) and that he had won national awards for these jobs. I
received a fax with his references. I called two. The first one said
he was thrown off the job for improper disposal of hazardous wastes.
(Upon research at a CT State sight, I found in fact his license was
suspended and the note on the file said "Contractor out of business.")
The second reference summarized our on the record conversation as: "If
you know another contractor who can perform I recommend you use him."
No awards could be verified by either reference.
I am actually looking forward to my call back.
Best,
Leland
-----Original Message-----
From: "As good almost kill a man as kill a good book" -- John Milton
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John
Leeke, Preservation Consultant
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2002 10:48 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Directories
Ken writes:
>What I think works best is for the seeker to start from a listing,
>however
it
is compiled, to get names and then to narrow the search down to
word-of-mouth, peer and customer references, and looking at completed
work.<
I have always found the most useful directories are those that include
some " editorial content" that tells me how to use the information, and
that provide some insight into the field the directory covers, for
example, like Ken's description of how and why the Blue Book is used in
NYC.
In my consulting practice I often make referals, which really are like
little highly focused directories. Early on I began providing tips on
how to use my referals. These tips developed into the following
guideline as I included items based on referal problems that developed
over the years. As I look at this now I see that it is becoming quite
long, probably developing into an article on the topic.
I think every directory should include this sort of guidance for its
users.
****
Referrals from John Leeke, Preservation Consultant
Do not use these referrals without following the guidelines below.
A
listing here does not imply any endorsement or assurance of
success.
A. List on paper all the issues about the project that are
important to
you.
B. Describe what you want to have done on one sheet of paper that
you can
hand to prospective contractors or professionals (architects,
consultants,
engineers, etc.).
C. Talk with enough prospective contractors or professionals for
any
particular piece of work or project to select at least three and
ask them for
at least three references to include a contact persons, project
descriptions and
locations. For projects over $1,000. get at least five references.
For
projects over $20,000. get at least ten references. Talk with all
references and check with third parties such as the Better Business
Bureau,
building codes enforcement officers, local and state historic
preservation
officers and county court clerks.
D. Ask all three to visit the site and to give you a proposal. Work
with
each one to refine the proposals to match exactly what you want,
and ask
them to give you a revised proposal. This gives you a fully
developed
choice. Pick the best based on the following selection criteria:
(Give more
weight to 1., less to 2., etc.)
1. Responsiveness to your need
2. Ability to do the work
3. Ability to do business
4. Price
5. Your "gut" feeling
Always thank in writing the contractors who were not selected. You
want
them to feel good about you because you want to be able to
re-consider
them as alternate contractors.
D. Always have the selected contractor demonstrate his/her ability
with a
preliminary "Work Sample." This is a small piece of work to be done
under
separate contract, to demonstrate their ability to do business,
ability to
do the work to your satisfaction, and how well you "get along." The
scope
is limited (say, 1 window of 20 to be repaired, or a 10'-20' wide,
foundation to eaves exterior section of a house to be painted). You
will
have to pay for the work sample, usually at a higher rate per unit
than if
the whole project is done at once.
E. When the work sample is complete, decide whether or not to have
this
contractor do the rest of the project. If not, then have one of the
alternate contractors do a work sample, and proceed as above.
Does this sound like a lot of work? Yes, it is a lot of work to get
the
right people on your project in the beginning. If you happen to get
the
wrong people on your project you will put in at least this much
work
recovering from the problems you have created by selecting them.
Copyright 1982-2002 John C. Leeke
****
John Leeke, Preservation Consultant
mail: 26 Higgins St., Portland, ME, 04013, USA
Phone: 01-207-773-2306
email: [log in to unmask]
website: www.HistoricHomeWorks.com
--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
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