I'M GETTING SICK OF PEOPLE

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus) 08/21/2019 at 14:28 • Filed to: None

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Guy #1, the builder for a side job needed drawings super quick. I had a lot of late nights to get it done for his schedule. I sent him the email with the drawings and asked for him to take a look and let me know if there were any problems and I could fix them up and get them back to him. He instea d just submits them. Sketchup for some reason took the scaling away from all dimensions so instea d of being at 1/4"=1'-0", they were 1:1 so a dimension that should have read 4'-0" read 1". I missed it, it could have been an easy fix, itead he calls me up and yells at me and tells me to leave my day job to deliver the fixed drawings 1.5 hrs away.

guy #2 is getting impatient with his major renovation drawings which i have been flying through . I ask to meet tomorrow to go over progress drawings but he can’t and want s to meet F riday evening. Yes, that i s exactly what I want to do on a Fri day evening. but will I? Probably because a payment is due and I want ma money.

I’m getting really sick of these side jobs. have som e sweet Allroads

Discerning > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 14:58

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I understand being frustrated with the second guy because no one wants to miss out on their free time, but doesn’t that come with the territory when doing freelance work?

If you and I were working on something together, Friday evening g would pretty much be the only free time I’d have to meet (in person) on anything.

Seaking of which... You are an architect? Fiance and I are considering building. Were a little concerned we will go over budget and over schedule if we build custom vs. Buy from a builder in a community, but most of the generic builds stink. You don’t happen to work in the south east do you?

PS. Sorry, I can't really keep track of anyone on here. Issue I have outside of the internet as well.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 15:05

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AutoCAD changes my dimensions scales on me almost daily. I feel your pain.

That’ s totally on that guy though for not checking the drawings before submitting, what a boneheaded move. 

OPPOsaurus WRX > Discerning 08/21/2019 at 15:08

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I usually meet evenings after my day job but I try to avoid Fridays because its Friday and I’ve had enough at that point.

I am an Architect. Building new is great but new codes have driven up the sq/ft costs . A good builder should be able to stay to a schedule. Builders are crazy busy right now so if you have one you want to use you should give him a date so he can p ut you in his schedule,  even if its next spring. The more complex the design the more that can get delayed.  Having a good set of drawings will help with schedule too.  Making changes in the field only slows things down.  

vicali > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 15:08

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OPPOsaurus WRX > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 08/21/2019 at 15:09

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its really both of us, but in his mind its all my fault. I busted my ass to get the thing done for his schedule when i really didn’ t need to worry myself about it. I guess that i s the price of hitting print at midnight.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 15:18

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I totally understand that. I stayed really late last night to get a project of f my desk even though I didn’t have to, and when I came in this morning I noticed a bunch of little mistakes that I made because my brain was done at that point. Luckily I hadn’t sent it to anyone yet.

Point is that in my experience drawings need to be reviewed, and the fact that this guy sent it off despite your EXTREMELY CLEAR instructions to review them.

This is why at my last job I put “please review” or “for your review and approval” in every email I sent, cause these guys would just send drawings out without looking at them and I was tired of it always being my fault. I’m not perfect, I’m probably not gonna catch everything when I do my personal review.

OPPOsaurus WRX > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 08/21/2019 at 15:21

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its amazing how much stuff gets sent out without being reviewed in my office.  I’m the only drafter so its not like my boss has to oversee a lot of people.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 15:23

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Every thing should be done in 2D, plan and section. When my wife draws things in isometric view I’m like I don’t understand that, does not compute. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 15:25

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Just curious, what do you charge per hour? Or do you just quote job by job?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/21/2019 at 15:25

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a lot of people can’t make sense of 2d stuff.  S ketchup is 3-D which helps with a lot of people. The plans are still 2-d .

OPPOsaurus WRX > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 08/21/2019 at 15:27

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I’ve been trying my rate lately. I’ve been at $60/hr but i’m pretty sure that is really low. I think my boss bills me at twice that. The side stuff was initially basement renovations just for beer money but lately its been getting into more serious stuff.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 15:37

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Side jobs suck. I stopped doing them years ago because I value my free time and people's expectations are way too high for what they are willing to pay.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 16:31

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$60 seems pretty good for you and for the client, but if you’re getting more work than you need, raising it some ain’t a bad idea.

I try not to bill hourly for design work, but if I have to, it’s $50 per.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2019 at 17:41

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I wish I got plans like that when I have to appraise a new construction home. Flat plans and specs leave much to be desired when trying to determine the quality and style of a home.