Breaking up is hard to do..

I haven't broken up with anyone since...college, I guess. I think another one's coming though. And no, don't worry, it's not my wife!

I had a long phone conversation with my tile sub the other day. It seems he's concerned that his prices are getting too high and that it might be causing me to lose jobs I would otherwise get. Assuming that was the case, he wondered whether it made sense to keep bidding work for me....kind of a waste of time if the price is going to put me out of the running.

He further mentioned that he really enjoyed working with me (one of the few contractors he can say that about...I'm so proud) but that, with only two crews in the field, he is able to get a much higher hourly rate working directly for homeowners and so, the discount he gives me is getting harder to justify. Well, he's no bargain, I can tell you that, but damn, man! his work is impeccable, and he's just really easy to work with.

Anyway, I understand where he's coming from, and I can't really fault him for being honest, but as he was talking, I couldn't help thinking of that old breakup line..."It's not you, Mike, it's ME! It's just not working anymore..." Well, I've heard that a few times in my life, and it always stings a little...even if it did make me almost chuckle on the phone!

So I don't know if we're quits yet, but I can see it coming. I could suggest counseling, but I think we both know the truth. He's got to do what he's got to do, although I might question the long term wisdom of giving up a guy who (when times are better, at least) sends a few jobs a year his way. We'll see, I guess, but right now, I kind of feel like I'm back in high school!

Anyone know a fantastic tile guy?

Mr. Smith goes to Washington...sort of

A couple of things happened recently that have made me think more about what I, as a citizen can do to further the interests of my industry....not in a bad way, mind you, but to make sure that government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people actually listens to, well....the people.

The first happened a few days ago, when I received a call from Dave Merrick, who is in charge of NARI's Legislative Affairs Committee. Apparently, Maryland is considering enacting a tiered contractor licensing system, similar to Virginia's. The gist of it is that there would be different classes of licenses which would allow contractors to do different sized projects. Smaller contractors, with a limited amount of experience and capital, would only be able to undertake smaller projects, and so on up the line.

According to Dave, the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) had contacted NARI; requesting its input into the proposed changes. As the chair of the relevant committee, Dave thought it would be a good idea to solicit input from the big guys, the middle guys, and guys like me....the little guys. He thought I probably had an opinion and that I was articulate enough to express it well. I do and I am, and I, along with the big and middle guys will be meeting next week with a representative from the MHIC, to talk about things.

I'm looking forward to it, and I have to say I am impressed that MD would think to do such a thing, considering how often rules and regulations appear and get rammed down everyone's throat. Which leads to the 2nd thing.......

Today, for the first time in my adult life, I wrote a letter to my Senator (Cardin, in this case), asking him if he wouldn't mind looking into how the EPA has gone about enacting and modifying the recent Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting law (more information here: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm) Unlike the MHIC, the EPA has, in my opinion, presented our industry with a fait accompli; a law whose expressed goal is the protection of customers and workers from the hazards of lead dust, but which, in practice, will increase costs greatly and, in the end, fail to have the desired effect.

I'm not setting out here to debate the law, really. It is what it is, and I and my colleagues in the industry are trying as best we can to obey it. We do have some issues with it, though; issues which could have been addressed prior to its enactment, had the EPA done as the MHIC is doing.....consulted those whom the law will affect most heavily. And so today I wrote my Senator, and asked for his help. Oddly enough, I've had some positive experiences with "the man" recently, so I hope I'm not being too naive.

I feel like Mr. Smith, though!

Good Karma

An interesting thing happened today. The other day, I was doing some long overdue job costing, and noticed that, on an addition I had completed early last fall, my actual costs for the electrician's work were 1/3 less than I had budgeted. After digging around a little bit more, it became apparent that he had never sent me a bill for the final third.

Now, I'm never one to chase someone down to give them money, but it was clear that I owed him for the work, so the ethical thing to do was pay the man. So I cut a check and put it in an envelope with a note apologizing for the very late payment, and asking to PLEASE! bill me promptly!

So today, he dropped by one of my jobs to do a bit of work, and I let him know that he should be expecting a check shortly, and why. He looked a little chagrined and told me that he had forgotten to bill me for so long that, by the time he remembered....several months later....he decided not to send the bill, for fear that I'd be pissed. He also mentioned another job...long since completed....that he had opted not to bill me for for the same reason. Lastly, he mentioned that, on my last payment to him, he thought maybe I had overpaid him.

My electrician is a GREAT guy. He does excellent work, is prompt, easy to get hold of, keeps the job clean, is unfailingly honest and is an all around professional. What he is NOT, though, is very diligent about paperwork.

Anyway, after I told him I'd look into that other job, and the possible overpayment, I reamed him for not billing me quickly, when I still had the money hot in my hands. It's not that I couldn't pay him, but that it puts an unanticipated hit on the ol' cash flow. I reminded him that, as nice a guy as I am, I seldom chase people down to pay them and that, unless I have a bill in my hands, the odds are better than even that I'll forget all about it.

Lastly, though, I thanked him and he thanked me in turn for being honest and above board. I've said before how much I appreciate those I work with. We look out for one another and none of us would ever knowingly take advantage.

And that, in the end, is one of the reasons I love where I am and what I do. I am, daily, in the company of quality people, and money just can't buy that.

By the way, if you're looking for an outstanding electrician, give Anthony Pizzino of Live Electric Design a call at 301-802-4762, or at anthony.pizzino@yahoo.com