Don't Kowtow to a Contractor Learn how to deal with difficult constructors and vendors

摘要

THE CONSTRUCTION manager thought he was in control, although he only was a contractor. Unfortunately, I was stuck with him. I asked him to install the pump first so we'd have an anchor point. He said that's not the way they do things. I told him that's how I wanted it done. So, he complained to my boss. This is the kind of response you get when a constructor is too ingrained. The last straw was when replacement of a 1-in. nozzle on a pressure vessel that should run $4,000 wound up costing about $14,000. I reviewed the estimate, which I had insisted upon after the first few shenanigans. The detailed breakdowns indicated the job should take a maximum of 20 hours of welder time, perhaps 4 hours of quality-control inspection time and 4 hours of oversight. Instead, we were billed for 70 hours of welder time, more than 20 hours of supervision and 20 hours of warehouse time. My boss marveled at the charges. The construction manager obviously was punishing me for giving him trouble. We decided to seek a replacement contractor.