MyFloridaCode.com

You can control your job and your subcontractors through properly drawn plans and specs.  Building codes are normally for matters of life safety, not quality.  Your plans should state the standards you want subs to perform to whether industry association recommendations, ASTMs or UL assembly numbers.  The contract you give a sub to sign should reinforce the particular standards of the trade over and above "according to plans and specifications".  For example, get a copy of USGs Gypsum Handbook.  It makes a good standard to reference satisfactory performance to.

I keep two signs in my office where all subs can and do see them.  The first reads

"Some people make the same mistake for years and call it experience."  The second reads

"Notice to subcontractors:  payment will be rendered with the same degree of accuracy and timeliness with which the product or service was provided'"

Chandler Knowles
Designer-Builder
Pensacola, FL

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ken Rodgers 
  To: codetalk at myfloridacode.com 
  Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 2:33 PM
  Subject: [Florida Code Talk] Sub-Contractor Testing/Licensing


  Happy New Year All,

    I was just discussing some issues/concerns with my drywall sub and in the process I asked if they had ever read or heard of the guide put out by the Gypsum Association that covers the application and finishing of sheetrock (gypsum).  Of course the answer and look I got was the same one I always get when I ask this question.  "What book?"  "There's a book that tells you how to do sheetrock work?"  So, I'm wondering why is it that subs like this are not required to read, understand, and possibly even be tested on the guidelines that cover their trade before they are "licensed" to perform work in this area?  In the case of drywall, this specifications manual is only 18 pages long so I would think that most anyone should be able to pass a simple test on it.  Yes, I realize this is only a guide and is really not a "code" per se but it does have some pretty good guide lines to go by that should help ensure a good job that will stand the test of time.  However, every time I bring it up to my drywall subs that they get offended and act like I'm being too anal.  I only pull it out when I see them doing things like not using enough screws in the ceiling or leaving excessive (e.g. ½") gaps at joints.  The response is always the same; "I've been doing drywall for xx years and I don't need no book to tell me how to do things" or "don't worry about it, the mud will cover it up."  All these may be true but it'd be nice to see some subs actually take pride in their work and try to do the best job they can and not just get by.  I use sheetrock guys in this example but it seems to be the same with many of the other subs whose work doesn't get an official inspection and who are not required to be tested and specifically licensed in their field of work.  I'm not looking to increase the bureaucracy but it sure would be nice to figure out a way to force these other subs to become educated in their field and stay up with the latest practices.  I'm looking for more professionals instead of just amateur hacks.

   

  I know the above was mostly whining/venting but just thought I find out others thoughts on the subject.

   

  Ken   

   



------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  CodeTalk mailing list
  CodeTalk at myfloridacode.com
  Unsubscribe by sending an email to codetalk-unsubscribe at myfloridacode.com
  or
  Unsubscribe or change your options at:
  http://myfloridacode.com/mailman/listinfo/codetalk
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://myfloridacode.com/pipermail/codetalk/attachments/20100101/bfd6a586/attachment.html