Posted By BrucePolycrete on 06 Jul 2015 04:18 PM
The problem with buying the block and then looking for an installer is that you have now taken away part of the installer's margin. If he's a good installer, he represents repeat business to the manufacturer, you don't. He will get a better price on the materials than you will. If you buy the material yourself then try to get a low price on the install, you will have started out by annoying the good installer and you will end up with a cheap installer. Unless you're doing a DIY, find an good installer and let him do his job. Your job is to do the due diligence on the installer. Get references and then check them.
Exactly!
I am amazed sometimes at how people try and beat the pennies out of the cost of doing something, and spend dollars doing it.
As a distributor, I do not sell blocks for the listed price from BB, I sell them at an average price that includes freight, the expense of having guys to unload the truck, and the quoted job. In other words, I sell an ICF job or project, and let other guys sell blocks and then get to call and get freight quotes and get rentals for bracing, etc.
When you use a qualified contractor or installer, consider this: You get a contractor with insurance, workman's comp, tools and equipment, and the skill to do the work. If you head out to save a few bucks and DIY it, or hire someone who isn't experienced, then what? Do you really want to sit on a phone and nickel and dime some company over $1 on a block when an average build may use 750 blocks.....and then order the rebar, what about cutting and bending?, and do you have enough...what about building the bucks, or should I buy them....what about braces...and walk boards....inside brace or outside? Reinforce the corners or shoot blind? Have a debate with the concrete plant about what mix to use for your walls, and hear that they want a check with every load of concrete because you don't have an account.....and then order a pump....do you spend more for a boom or do you call your buddies and ask them to help you with a line pump and hoses? And...when you have all of this down, and begin to add the numbers, how will this compare to contractors who give a simple quote on a project, and you have peace of mind? Nothing wrong with DIY...but there is no shame in subbing out the most important part of the project if you are not 100% positive you have it down cold.
So, to refer to the post above I quoted...if you pursue a course going as some of you wish, remember, you will get what you pay for with installers. There is no incentive to work for a client with no expectation of any profit. If you say you want to pay pay only for the labor, remember, many of us are not looking for an hourly job. Pro's will not even bother when you look at the jobs available....a job with a guy who is beating the pennies out, or a job where we will make a fair profit and return on the years of experience we have and the qualifications we bring to your job.