[Greenbuilding] doing homework

[Sabrina Free]

RONALD CASCIO wrote:
> Sounds like your friend didn't do his homework as to the competence of the
builder before he took the plunge with him.

I have hired people for projects where I felt I did all the "homework" and
it still turned out a disaster.  I had a guy just build a deck for me, and
it was a nightmare.  I looked at decks he had built, talked with people who
he had worked for, called the Better Business Bureau, looked at his
license.  Everything was fine.  Except my deck was horrid.  Then I had
another guy re-do it, did the same homework, and ended up with just about as
bad a job.  The city inspector said I should not expect to have a good job
done on this end of town - guys will build up to the quality most people on
that end expect (which is apparently not very high).
Personally thought that was B.S. and fixed my own deck, quit hiring people
and started doing everything myself.  At least this way if it is screwed up
it wasn't because I hired a dishonest / incompetant person and paid them
good money.
Granted, there are likely some quality, honest contractors.  But not that I
have run in to and could afford.
Sabrina