Taking work

[kevin]

I did this job about 7 years ago they wrote an article about the project my name was not mentioned

But I was hired by the company to do the job,They where lost doing the job I will say this in a public form .The sink form they where suppose to make but could not .I did it

All forming was mine by my self all polishing

The only help was carrying the bag up 4 flights of stairs and mixing that was the only truth in the articles

Now the question is this legally or ethical right ?

http://www.concreteideas.com/concrete/concrete-countertops/pre-cast-vs-pour-in-place

pic of me polishing
http://www.kdunphy.com/PICT18244.JPG

[steve_g]

Kevin...
When a contractor subs all or part of a job out, he is still responsible for the job. In this case if he hired you, he gets the credit... after all he was smart enough to know who to get to do the job! Michelangelo gets a lot of credit his understudies and helpers actually did... I can tell that you're a artist as you have taken personal pride in the job!

SG

[MogulTx]

But it still isn't honest not to give SOME form of inclusive credit. Playing fair makes people want to play in a similar fashion. Comes down to what we all learned by the time we hit kindergarten... Play nice. Share. Follow the Golden Rule.

Kevin: What is it that you are using to polish it? I can't see through your plastic sheeting.

[kevin]

Steve I hear you I don't mention my helpers by name I have in interviews

But she saying she did it like saying you wrote a book while some else wrote the book

The pads where diamond dry when I go home can give address

[steve_g]

And then you have to remember that if the contractor names you as the artist/subcontractor, other potential customers will go straight to the source... Good for you, bad for the contractor. As much as the contractor likes and appreciates your work, it would be a bad business decision to name you as the person with the skill set necessary to do the job...

The bottom line here is your paycheck is likely all the recognition you're going to get!

BTW... Where did you learn this skill? Are there reference books?

SG

[GlenP]

Hey guys. It does suck not to be mentioned at all. I had some work we did published once and the other person took all the credit. It did and it didn't bother me. I was a sub and it was his job. I will admit I was just happy that a fairly big magazine took notice and wanted to publish something I had done. The people and my customers knew it was my work and that was what mattered to me. Also if the guy gets more work because of it I would think he will be giving you a call as he knows your work is awesome and top notch.
I like seeing you countertop and cabinet pics. You are truly a CABINET MAKER and not just a box builder like some. Keep up the good work and look forward in seeing your projects. :)

[twelchPTM]

unfortunately in this crazy world we live in ethical and legal have no bearing on each other.

[feinddj]

As a sub, you are not entitled to credit for a job unless your contract stipulates it. A smart contractor will credit you. I get referrals all the time from contractors who saw my work on a job. I am very careful to post pics with credit to the person or company whose job it is. The courtesy is appreciated. It shows in repeat business and referrals.

d

[johnh]

Where did you learn this skill? Are there reference books?


Actually Steve, I was wondering the same thing. Maybe we should get ahold of the contractor and see what she can offer. haha

Nice work Kevin. Sorry to hear about the backstab.

[carlcnc]

Kevin
I know where you're coming from, over the years I have had the same experience several times
In the late 70's an architect sought me out to do a railing on Street of Dreams.home in Portland Or.
now, this was before the "renaissance"and resurgence of crown moldings, hardwood stairs, etc. there weren't many guys lucky enough to have learned the skills to do these things
That home was written about in several magazines,news paper arcticles with the handrail highlighted, not once were any of the many craftsmen given 1 word of acknowledgment.
a few years later the same architect searched me out for another challenging project.
Instead of a quote for the work I sent him a list of the 40-50 TOOLS he needed to do it himself , since obviously it was ALL his doing
vindictive? who me???
Carl

[FSICM]

yah know were you are coming from I did a custom Job Island, doors, custom counter kitch, tops 7 custom made sinks and bathrooms, bar, all corian they got a huge discount as they promised my name would come up in the artical, see the artical I couldn't find my name anywere and there have been multiple articals issues on this house.
Is all I can say is just make sure you get your price. Especially when they don't have anyone else willing to do the custom project

see link

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-jill-greenberg-hollywood-hills-html,0,1548108.htmlstory

[MogulTx]

You know, in retrospect, I DO get the same treatment in my main line of work. My work goes into another company's project and they don't tell anybody about where they got my product... I am a bit of a gem for them. They know they can't do what I do, and they keep my skills as kind of a very specialized resource. There is good and bad in it for me. ( Mostly good! A little bad.)

So: Don't fret. Get the jobs. Gain as much notoriety as you can, without hurting relationships. (And hold out for good money when you are the one who has the skills!)

Good luck.

[jerry_stanek]

Yeah been there done that. I do a job for somebody and they say look what I did. I did an oak dashboard for the boss and he was bragging that he did it.

[bleeth]

Get a grip guys. I think about the only places I know where every Tom Dick and Harry who had their hands in the project gets credit is when an author credits sources in a book and at the end of a movie. I've had lots of clients use photo's featuring my work in their portfolios and if I happen to see it and think it's a good picture I'll ask them for a copy.
If you are one of several suppliers who had their products purchased, then why do you think you should get special mention? Did the maker of the sink, faucets, disposal, floor installer, drywall guy? They are all craftsmen. Some more creative than others and some requiring more technical expertise to complete a job to a high level, but still honorable craftsmen all.
On those occasions when you do get particular mention by the GC or ID who hired you it is appropriate to feel and express gratitude, but no reason for sour grapes when you don't. Just remember, it is fine for you to feature the same piece on your site or advertising and even mention the client. No GC or Designer will ever freak if you feature one of their projects that you did in your advertising, or at least none ever has when I did, and frankly, I rarely gave them credit for the design although I may list them in my "satisfied clients" list.

[Xray]

I think this is tantamount to plagiarism, crummy thing to do but very little recourse for a sub.
Only solace is the sure knowledge that when people like this weave complex little webs of lies and half truths, they will eventually get called out and tangled in them.

[Brian Harnett]

I must be lucky with the contractors I sub with they refer me to others all the time and credit my work.

In turn I send referrals their way when I can.

[kevin]

Dave the difference here she saying starting off with " A true story " I just looked that part up was removed power of the internet I sent them a e-mail they ignored me now being embarrassed on the internet
The point is they said they did it physically .Same as you going on the internet saying you designed a kiosk at an airport true?

To answer Questions about concrete I'll post tonite the computer is out at home


I was wrong the quote reads"A true story By, Alchemystik Installations, Montreal QC. " thats stealing

[bleeth]

Kevin;

I agree the use of "I" is incorrect. At least if she had said "we" it would have included her skilled team of which you were it!

Many contractors will use "we", not only to be fair to the tradesmen involved, but also to make the impression that they are not a 1 man operation.

You can always drop a note to the site editor. I once had an employee who after I discharged him started posting pictures on his site of our work and did represent it as his. I would have let it slide except the guy had instituted a lawsuit for underpaid wages. He ended up getting nothing out of it but it cost me for attorney defense. One "cease and desist" letter from my attorney got the pics taken down.

It's amazing how much difference a letter from an attorney makes over sending one out yourself.

In this case, I wouldn't sweat it. I would mark it up to bad manners on her part and move on.

You have a well deserved good reputation and the article doesn't really do you any harm.

[kevin]

I learned how to polish in 97 working in aircraft interiors .
When i went on my own in 2000 i found out about concrete counter tops mainly on the internet .The book i read was Cheng concrete its a very good book he has 2 books
In 2002 is when i started each time i do one i learn something new pour on site is the hardest .

In the picture you see me dry polishing but dry polishing takes for ever .I stay away from dry polishing and wet polish

I'am doing 3 out of 4 kitchens in concrete its what atracting the customer to me

i work on the last year is getting rid of the pin holes

The beaty of concrete it doessn't over power like granit .I'll go to my grave and not touch all the possiabiltys

[steve_g]

Kevin
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction... I don't know if I'll ever try a concrete countertop, but I just ordered Cheng's 2nd book.

SG

[khaos]

Is there some sort of "power puddler" to use in form to get the tiny bubbles out? Or do you grind, fill, polish?

Just wondering.

[kevin]

We vibrate to get the air out there also a thing of vibrateing to much

The pin holes are a battle the nicest is sanding flush and polishing

When you polish the higher you polish the more defects you see

I had a defect once i filled different color it came out amazing it was a fluke