Catch A Contrator - who's watching?

[GarageDog]

Curious to see who’s watching Adam Corolla’s “Catch a Contractor” show on Spike TV.
I think he’s a couple of seasons in at this point. He and Skip Bedell make a pretty good team.
The homeowner situations and the contractors they castrate are a bit repetitive, but a train wreck I continue to watch.
The BS the contractors come up with after being caught red handed is amazing. Also interesting to see how many home owners pay 100% upfront for remodel work. Crazy

 

[Streetbu]

I watch it frequently. Same thing, different house, homeowners, and contractor. I still watch to see the idiot contractors and some of the homeowners amaze me too. Some were just plain screwed, even after they got references and did their due diligence.

 

[jd_1138]

Also interesting so to see how many home owners pay 100% upfront for remodel work. Crazy

About 5 years ago, a local lady paid 100% upfront for an addition (extra bedroom, bathroom) to the tune of $35k. Dude showed up 2 days in a row and tore out the side of her house. Interestingly enough, he was driving a brand new truck that he didn't have before she paid him.

Then he stopped showing up, period. He didn't even cover the hole in the house with plastic. And turns out he had given her a bogus name and contractor's license #.

Adam Corolla used to work in contracting/carpentry before going into radio.

 

[WQ59B]

The 100% up front thing, yea; those folk aren't heavily blessed with common sense.

But not sure I like the implied association (via the shows title) with pedophiles.
Also, Bedell is a bit over the top with the hyperbole; he could tone it down a bit.

 

[Robert Haas]

It's television. The "contractors" and the homeowners all sign and agree to a contract that basically states the show will cover all expenses and the job will be completed to the owners satisfaction. So the contractor agrees to have his face and reputation torched all in the name of entertainment.

Family here in town was one of season 1's shows. The Contractor was actually their cousin and now a couple years later they are all in business together running a plumbing company.

Don't put too much "real" in reality tv folks.

 

[jd_1138]

It's television. The "contractors" and the homeowners all sign and agree to a contract that basically states the show will cover all expenses and the job will be completed to the owners satisfaction. So the contractor agrees to have his face and reputation torched all in the name of entertainment.

Family here in town was one of season 1's shows. The Contractor was actually their cousin and now a couple years later they are all in business together running a plumbing company.

Don't put too much "real" in reality tv folks.

That's not really proof that the show is fake. The contractor has been "caught" and now gets to get out of his contractural obligations to furnish material/labor to finish the project. And the client gets their house finished.

As for the couple and cousin, they may have just made amends.

 

[rice rocket]

That's not really proof that the show is fake.

If it looks overproduced and too good to be live television, it's probably not real. Even if the premise could be real, these shows are filmed like any other television show, repeating take after take after take with scripts in hand, to get the right "television feel".

Reality TV hasn't been real since OJ's Bronco chase.

 

[rustybutt]

It's television.

Don't put too much "real" in reality tv folks.

+1!

 

[Yamaguy]

I watch it and it's entertaining. I liked The Adam Carolla Project that was on in 2005 ish. He bought his childhood home from his dad and totally remodeled/added on to it with his buddies then hilarity ensued.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

I like the show plenty. Yeah, it's the same premise every episode but at least the hosts don't take themselves too seriously. Man, some people (homeowners) are dumb ("contractors")

If you are a regular listener to Adam's shows you will get interesting insight into the program.

 

[GarageDog]

This is a TV show and yes it is about "entertainment", which = ad $.
Any successful production effort takes a small army to pull off and make watchable. So I do give them credit, scripts, multiple takes and all.
They focus on the uncomfortable contractor/home owner confrontation, along with Adam's classic one liners and berating, but very little on the actual home repairs which might make it a little more interesting. I'm sure the "uncomfortable" component is what gets the ratings.
I guess the take away for the average home owner is watch your ***, hang on to your $ and don't hire an unlicensed handyman for a kitchen remodel.
I am somewhat of a Corolla fan so I overlook some of the shows flaws.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I do what occasionally. I know some of these situations are real even thought they might be "edited for television". I have personally seen both sides of these kinds of stories. One of the better ones is a coworker that had an addition put on and the guy actually would not take any money until the job was completed. The guy did an excellent job. You never see that anymore. I know contractors too and some homeowners are just as bad as the bad contractors and you never get paid. Decent show though.

 

[Jlarson]

I'd like to see a show about ****** customers.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

I'd like to see a show about ****** customers.

It's called the Kardashians

 

[GarageDog]

I'd like to see a show about ****** customers.

They did have an episode where the stories weren't lining up. Turned out the Homeowner was the guilty party and the contractor the hero.
Would love to see Mike Holmes add the previous contractor confrontation to his show. Really the same premise with a little more substance.

 

[ScottsGT]

A good example of fake or "Producer induced drama" is Phantom Motorworks. His first season he did a guy's '66 Mustang Fastback. Show made the shop owner look like a complete jackass, and made the car owner look like a *****. The car's owner joined up over on the Vintage Mustang Forums and set the story straight. Neither was true, but there was a big misunderstanding that got dramatized like no one would believe.
Season 2 was a complete different show that focused on the build of the car and not stupid stunts. It's actually an enjoyable show now.

 

[PugetDude]

Reality TV isn't.

 

[bczygan]

Reality TV isn't.

This.

Every second that you are watching, just imagine that you are the cameraman who is standing in front of the scene, recording it. And to your left is someone holding a boom mike and behind you is the stage director.

It's a SHOW.

If you've ever tried to produce a one minute commercial, like my wife and I did for a class at the local station, you will know the hours of work that go into a minute of air time.

It's drama. It's entertainment. It's meant to take a cold medium and heat it up with emotion and conflict, so we can escape our boring, humdrum and depressing lives for a time.

Ultimately, it's a total waste of time.

Now, let me get back to my shows........


Bill

 

[Trey T]

That show makes me cringe and frustrating at the same time.

 

[elba]

Twenty years ago I had a slab poured for my garage. He had been advertising in the local paper for several years so I called him and he poured the slab and did a good job. I gave him an $1800.00 check . I was happy. About two months later I had a lean placed on my house from the concert company. He didn't pay them. He skipped town and burned me and seven other people. Moral of the story : Make two checks-one for each party concerned. ( I still remember the SOB's name )

 

[Kin Creed]

While I generally like Adam Corolla's podcast Ace on the House, Catch a Contractor just did not do it for me.

I don't care for the premise of the show if it's to expose poor contractors. I would rather watch something that shows you the right way to do things, not just featuring duds.

At least Ace on the House has some genuine tips mixed in with the schtick.

 

[pcmeiners]

When they create a show "Hunt a Contractor" I will watch.

 

[rr1963]

The parties involved are probably actors and the shows are most likely reenactments as many of the Spike TV show are.

 

[Krash Kadillak]

I've been watching from the start, and it's beginning to be a bit boring. Focusing on too much berating of the bad contractor. Adam seems to try too hard to insert his stupid comments. And you see absolutely NONE of the repair work going on, most probably because it's Skip's construction crew doing the work, and not the stars / bad contractor.

Skip's the real deal, though. I predict a real show for him in the future.

 

[Robert Haas]

Twenty years ago I had a slab poured for my garage. He had been advertising in the local paper for several years so I called him and he poured the slab and did a good job. I gave him an $1800.00 check . I was happy. About two months later I had a lean placed on my house from the concert company. He didn't pay them. He skipped town and burned me and seven other people. Moral of the story : Make two checks-one for each party concerned. ( I still remember the SOB's name )

Not how lein law works. Only way a supplier can enforce a lean is if a pre-lein is on file that you the homeowner must be served by registered mail before any materials are ordered or work performed. Once these prerequisites are met suppliers do have the right to place mechanical leins against the property, however even these are able to be redacted if owner can prove payments were made for said materials.



I am a licensed and bonded general contractor that owns and operates a glass contracting company and have been in the trades for 6 decades.

 

[jd_1138]

Not how lean law works. Only way a supplier can enforce a lean is if a pre-lean is on file that you the homeowner must be served by registered mail before any materials are ordered or work performed. Once these prerequisites are met suppliers do have the right to place mechanical leans against the property, however even these are able to be redacted if owner can prove payments were made for said materials.



I am a licensed and bonded general contractor that owns and operates a glass contracting company and have been in the trades for 6 decades.

I imagine these "leins" are probably dependent on what jurisdiction you live in, and depending on the local courts and their intrepretation of the statutues and laws, it could go either way.

 

[Falcon67]

I imagine these "leins" are probably dependent on what jurisdiction you live in, and depending on the local courts and their intrepretation of the statutues and laws, it could go either way.

I think that's covered by the Uniform Commercial Code, but not a legal expert or Holiday Inn Express resident.

 

[Robert Haas]

I imagine these "leins" are probably dependent on what jurisdiction you live in, and depending on the local courts and their intrepretation of the statutues and laws, it could go either way.

Absolutely, However no lien can be enforced without contractual acknowledgment from the property owner. Any other way imagine how easy it would be for criminal types to take advantage of that loophole

 

[GarageDog]

When they create a show "Hunt a Contractor" I will watch.

Starring: Dog the Bounty Hunter, Mike Holmes, Bear Grylls & Jeremy Clarkson

 

[Firebird 1]

Looks like im in the minority here. I am a 3rd generation general contractor and have built a reputable business over the years. I have never watched the show, but agree that there should be a show about customers who screw over the contractor!

 

[pcmeiners]

"Starring: Dog the Bounty Hunter, Mike Holmes, Bear Grylls & Jeremy Clarkson"

Seriously GarageDog , you forgot the main star Michael C Hall, maintaining his Dexter role, a serial killer only taking care of scum sucking Contractors. Slicing and dicing them with with Sawzalls, routers, chain saws and table saws.

Ps I was a contractor once, conscientious and honest one..an extremely rare and endangered species in NYC

 

[Robert Haas]

Looks like im in the minority here. I am a 3rd generation general contractor and have built a reputable business over the years. I have never watched the show, but agree that there should be a show about customers who screw over the contractor!

I was taught how to be a contractor by my father, and he was old school. You worked until your client was happy, then got paid. A happy customer will tell 3 friends. 1 of them will become your customer. A unhappy customer will tell everyone and none of them will be your customer..

To be honest I am very accustomed to the type of client that just never ever seems happy. I just do the very best I can, and never lie to them. Giving bad news to a client is way better then lying to them, postponing bad news never makes it better.

One key element to being sort of successful is never do a job of any kind that you do not have a signed contract on. Never.

I do my job correctly, and I always get paid.

 

[aafadca]

When I saw the premise of it and saw all the yelling and drama when it first came on I knew it was going to be another "typical" reality show. There's nothing real about them so I don't watch. Why encourage the producers to put out such nonsense. I DO like real shows like This Old House, Today's Homeowner, Bob Villa, Holmes,etc. The others are just made to produce drama. I see enough of that just being around the public

 

[dmeadow]

I think that's covered by the Uniform Commercial Code, but not a legal expert or Holiday Inn Express resident.

The UCC doesn't generally have anything to do with perfecting a lien on real estate. Real estate laws and procedures vary by state and county.