DAE have a client who changes the whole plan after you've already framed it?

Last week in Denver, a homeowner decided they wanted the kitchen window a foot to the left after I'd already sheathed the exterior wall, so I had to tear out a whole section of Tyvek and OSB.

4 comments

4 Comments

murray.cora2mo ago

After you'd already sheathed the wall? That's the kind of change that makes my jaw drop. A foot to the left is not a small tweak once everything is closed in. The amount of wasted material and labor just kills me. Clients sometimes don't get that a moved window changes the framing, the sheathing, the wrap, everything. You have all my sympathy dealing with that mess.

pat7812mo ago

Oh, you think that's the end of it? Wait until they ask for it to be a different shape next week. I'm half expecting a request for a round window after we've ordered all the square trim. At least the scrap pile is getting a real workout.

foster.jordan2mo ago

Pat781 is right about the scrap pile, but the real kicker is the inspection delay when you have to redo the framing.

claire_davis311d ago

Actually I gotta disagree a bit here. Yeah moving a window after sheathing is a pain but this is just part of the job when you're dealing with homeowners who change their minds. We get paid to frame stuff not to judge what the client wants. Every change order just means more hours on the clock and more material to bill for. The scrap pile comment from earlier made me laugh though because that's where half my material budget goes anyway.