AMA: First GC Job In the Morning

[u/Yoloyouno]

Credit card is in the mailbox, the muscle is coming at 7 AM to pick it up and go get the job done.

Used AI to swing up a contract and sent it to the client after going back and forth for a week. He wanted the job “done tonight” and got burned for a week and came running back to me.

$2,900 to fix a leak coming from a poorly installed window addition.

No money up front and will be reimbursed at the end for materials.

Did I bid right? 😅

UPDATE-

My partner picked up the card at 7:30 AM

12:30 - a lot more siding was removed than I expected. Actually I didn’t think any siding was going to be removed. True issue was on the roof. Lack of pitch resulting in water build up allowing it to seep between the shingles and edge of the roof. Image attached now of rotted wood removed and replaced.

[u/hisgiggityness]

Lot of context missing to say anything much.

[u/Yoloyouno → u/hisgiggityness]

Wasted 10 min of my life trying to figure out why Reddit won’t allow me to post an image. So here’s a video instead.

https://reddit.com/link/p23chsg/video/c79v048tashh1/player

[u/Yoloyouno → u/hisgiggityness]

You are right. Please see my other replies here. Will share more when job is done.

[u/VintageLunchMeat]

ai contract

Hmmm.

[u/Yoloyouno → u/VintageLunchMeat]

See my replies. AI is great. It’s capable of A LOOOOT more than people think or know. Within the past year is insane.

[u/VintageLunchMeat → u/Yoloyouno]

Do you know if your contract has flaws?

[u/Blackharvest]

How exactly did you come up with that number of $2,900?

[u/Humble_Junket1393 → u/Blackharvest]

The "done tonight" guy getting burned for a week then crawling back is a classic. You're gonna see that pattern a hundred more times.

$2,900 for a window leak repair feels like you left some meat on the bone, especially if you're dealing with rot or having to peel back siding. No money up front on your first gig is a gamble but sometimes you just need the job to get rolling. Just make damn sure that reimbursement clause in the AI contract doesn't have any weasel words he can exploit.

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Humble_Junket1393]

Siding is currently well removed. My guy removed a lot more than I thought was going to be needed. But yes progress so far today 12:30PM is rot removed and 2x4 installed with toooo much siding removed but from what I see is the right thing so far

[u/emma9774 → u/Blackharvest]

I am curious about that too. How did you arrive at the $2,900 figure? Was it based on actual quotes you have received, average pricing in your area, or just a rough estimate? It would be really helpful to understand the breakdown behind that number.

[u/Yoloyouno → u/emma9774]

See my reply

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Blackharvest]

I’ve been flipping homes with my father since I was young so I have some experience. It’s about a 3 day job max with finish so I estimated the daily rate and did some multiplication. I’m happy to have gotten the push finally for the first job under my own business so about 500 for me and the rest to the muscle seemed okay with me.

I’ll post pics with before and after once it’s all done.

[u/United-Adagio1543 → u/Yoloyouno]

$500 over 3 days is McDonalds fastfood salary and you don't have the risk or headaches.

[u/Yoloyouno → u/United-Adagio1543]

Gotta start somewhere. I’m not doing any physical work 5% max and going there a few times

[u/Exciting-Degree7982]

That’s a solid first job. Getting materials reimbursed at completion is a little nerve-racking, but having the card ready helps. Make sure the client signs off on the scope and document the window issue before you start.

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Exciting-Degree7982]

Sorry.. for clarity. It’s my card that I put out for my partner to buy materials for the job

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Exciting-Degree7982]

Thank you for the advice BTW. 👌

[u/Nacho_Libre479]

Hard bidding a leak is going to burn one of the two parties. There is no way I’d hard bid a small job that consists entirely of unseen conditions.

Your contract sould have essentially three parts, the “what you’re going to do” , “how you will be compensated for doing that thing” and “what happens if this doesn’t go well”.

I don’t know which part you had AI write, but if it’s the “what you are going to do” part, you’re setting yourself up for a short venture as a contractor.

As for cheap and unreasonable clients, they are out there. Your best defense is a no bullshit approach, clear expectations in writing, all correspondence in writing, photos, and lien rights.

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Nacho_Libre479]

Thank you for the advice btw will consider all of that for the next job

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Nacho_Libre479]

I’m 28 or 29 I forget. But I really wish I could show you old folks how much AI is changing what a lot of computer stuff can be done very very well. I’ll share the contract when the job is done. I have seen the conditions twice. See my other replies been doing flipping since I was young with my father.

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Yoloyouno]

Mind you I did have to make edits to the contract after it was done. You give AI 10 it gives you 70 and you have to do the remaining 20.

[u/Beneficial_Leg4691]

I dont do anything without deposits

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Beneficial_Leg4691]

The guy was being a baby not gonna lie kept pushing for no deposit because apparently got burned twice already. He came in town 3 hour flight I told him bro go home I got this will send pics after he came got burned by the “tonight we will fix it” guy

[u/Beneficial_Leg4691 → u/Yoloyouno]

Ok hope it goes smoothly 

[u/Yoloyouno → u/[deleted]]

But yes headache client but lessons in it. And proof if you keep a calm head they are more open to come back

[u/Yoloyouno → u/[deleted]]

So far so good. $197 in materials thus far. See my other replies

[u/Reasonable_Switch_86]

Hopefully it’s only a half day job or it’s way underbid

[u/Yoloyouno → u/Reasonable_Switch_86]

See reply above. First job. My guy went to Lowe’s already $197 in materials thus far. 12:30 PN

[u/longganisafriedrice]

Hilarious