If Your Contractor Says He “Wants You to Be Happy with the Job,” Fire Him!

The Objective Standard – Removing “Me” from the Equation

1. The “Happiness” Red Flag

In the broad world of construction—whether it is a custom new build, a complex addition, a challenging renovation, or a complete landscape makeover—there is a phrase that sounds nice but signals danger: “I want you to be happy with the job”.

• The Reality: “Happiness” is not a building code. When a builder makes your emotional satisfaction the primary metric for success, they are effectively shifting the burden of technical inspection and final approval onto you, rather than adhering to the objective quality control measures mandated by industry standards and realistic peer-established expectations.

• The Distraction: By focusing on whether you are “happy,” the contractor may distract you from the objective reality of the build. This approach often suggests that the contractor and their subcontractors are equally disengaged from what really matters, counting on the fact that you are naive to the technical details and industry fundamentals. They hope you are “happy” the project is completed, not realizing they skipped necessary elements such as adhesive curing times or proper soil compaction.

• The Burden Shift: This tactic is disingenuous because it allows builders to bypass common sense, manufacturer’s requirements, code standards, best practices and ultimately high quality craftsmanship. That “feel-good” perspective lasts only until you are confronted with flaws that should have been evident from day one.

2. It Is Not About Me

For homeowners, the core principle is simple: Don’t make this about me.

• I will be satisfied, without necessarily being impressed, if the job is simply performed to contract & code, using best practices and within industry parameters.

• Naturally, I will be happy if the job is timely completed above standards and expectations with elevated material quality and polished craftsmanship.

• And I will likely speak highly and make referrals if the job is personally tailored to preference and comparatively superior to industry benchmarks and peer performances.

But a professional does not ask if you are happy; a professional demonstrates that the work is correct. Plain and simple.. Verdict: Acceptable

Anything less—such as substandard material acquisition and handling, disregarding instructions or using flagrantly improper methods—will result in dissatisfaction. But that dissatisfaction is irrelevant; the builder should be grading themselves based on facts, codes, and manufacturer specifications. My emotions do not come into play making the job unacceptable.. that is physically, visibly, tangibly and objectively measurable resting solely on the contractor and his subs. Verdict: Unacceptable.

3. Universal Application: From Shower Tiles to BackYard HardScapes

Whether it is the grading of a planting bed, the accurate installation of a picture window, or the alignment of retaining walls, the standard is the standard. Beware the contractor who waves away technical concerns about drainage membranes or hardscape tolerances with, “It’ll be fine, we’ve never had any problems”. This is an attempt to feed your emotional satisfaction while actively distracting you from how the project should be properly measured.

4. The “Take It All The Way” Game (Reductio Ad Absurdum)

At Homes and Landscapes, we determine a contractor’s aptitude using a logic test we call “Take It All The Way.” This exposes whether a contractor has the capacity to use deductive intelligence or simply goes through the motions without thought.

Example A: The Kitchen Countertop (Precision vs. “Close Enough”)

• Scenario: A light switch and an outlet share a wall. There are no code restrictions defining locations, but the contractor installs them slightly offset—not aligned, but “close enough.”

• The Argument: The subcontractor ran out of wire and says, “It doesn’t really matter.”

• The Game: We ask, “Okay, take it all the way. What if the outlet was at the counter and the switch was at the ceiling? Does that look okay?” No.

• The Logic: If extreme misalignment is obviously wrong, at what point does it become “okay”? Why not just make them look the best with equidistant heights? This ensures the line of sight is unimpeded by disorder without reason.

Example B: The Exterior HVAC Unit (Function vs. Aesthetics)

• Scenario: An electrician installs a power shutoff box 5 or 6 feet high on the exterior wall, creating a massive eyesore next to the HVAC unit.

• The Argument: “It’s easier for a future technician to locate and access.”

• The Game: “Take it all the way. Why not put it by the entryway with a painted red circle around it? Or put it directly on the ground?”

• The Logic: Putting it on the ground is likely a code violation and might be dangerous (snow, animals). Painting a red circle around it by the front door is absurd. This establishes a reference range. A qualified professional realizes that a technician can find a box that is mounted discreetly at a lower, safer height. The “accessibility” argument is usually a cover for a lack of thought serving their interests instead of yours.

5. Field Decisions and The Unsupervised Subcontractor

In a General Contractor business model, unsupervised subcontractors (especially their employees flying solo and blind) are all too often making field decisions without guidance, logic, or homeowner perspective.

• A general contractor or lead builder must ensure that decisions are not made by an unsupervised employee who lacks the “end game” vision.

• When a conflict arises—like an outlet placement or a drainage issue—the response should not be “We usually figure it out on site” .

• The correct approach is COMMUNICATION: treating these moments as important elements for consideration to find the best solution for the owner’s end game, which therefore must include the homeowner in consultation even if it means slowing the project to a halt. It is, after all, their project.

So the contractor is not your feel good therapist or friend, and neither is time. Once the process begins it moves forward with increasing speed and diminishing control, which makes your on-site presence challenging. And asserting your interests is often in conflict with the builder’s mindset and schedule. Be aware of how the jobsite is managed.. Are workers able to answer simple questions about their daily tasks? Are trash and scraps promptly removed? Are interior materials left uncovered and exposed outside? Are finished areas protected with Ram Board, Visqueen, etc? These clues may suggest how closely you should be supervising the supervisor.

SUMMARY NOTES

PREPARE FOR BATTLE 

• Plan the Project, Make Time to Be Present

• Research Unfamiliars, Revisit Familiars

• Study & Collect Project Examples/Photos/Testaments

• Consider Logistics and Implications Beyond the Bid Footprint ..where men & materials must be moved in or out, parking, dogs, neighbors, etc.

• Watch Videos (note that Subscriptions and View Counts do NOT automatically qualify a source)

VET CONTRACTORS

• Meet and Discuss with ≥3 Contractors

• Get a Design with a Detailed Bid Sheet – Understand Every Line Item

• Take a Tour with the Contractor for Each Proposed Aspect

• Think it Through with Friends, Family, and Trusted Associates

WARNING JARGON

• “Just want you to be happy” (condescending placation vs competent performance)

• “It should be fine” (misguided hope)

• “That’s how we always do it” (willful ignorance)

• “We’ve never had any problems” (closed feedback loop)

• “You could, but it’s not necessary” (minimum effort)

MANAGE PUSHBACK 

•     Communication, Communication, and more Communication.

•     Check Egos at the Mailbox.

•     Attempt to Make Problems Foreseeable, and Avoidable

•     Understand Material & Human Tolerances with Reasonable Compromise: Perfection vs Reality

DISCERNMENT

A lazy contractor is going to ask you to provide a list of anything you think needs attention. Again, this is shamefully disengaged and demonstrates a lack of project awareness by the builder. Not that you shouldn’t be keeping tabs – you absolutely should document everything along the way and be prepared to present deficiencies. But THEY should be the one’s making a list for YOU! Then you compare it to the items you’ve noted and get them all addressed in a final PUNCHLIST. Remove Yourself (Homeowner) From The Equation and Use Established/Progressive Levels of Accountability: 

•     Common sense

•     Mfr Requirements

•     Local Code    

•     Best Practices

•     Craftsmanship Expertise

Trust but verify. Educate yourself as much as possible for the projects at hand. Don’t believe everything you see on YouTube, but don’t discount the value of information provided there.. absorb and process with clarity. Don’t let anyone discount the knowledge you’ve acquired as if their experiences are somehow more relevant or credible. Current ‘applied knowledge’ is far more valuable than a dated mandate. Elevate the conversation by asking questions, and follow up on the answers with your own research.