Could it be...JC might have been the last dependable carpenter?

[SuffragetteSal]

I can't seem to find a reliable carpenter. I want to put in a french door slider off my bedroom where there is an existing window. Either these 'professionals' don't call back or say they are really too busy, a month and a half out. I believe they just don't want to to do a small job as this. I am about ready to order my slider, set it out against the back wall and buy one of those saws that saws through wood and sheetrock. If there was an existing frame it would be easier but one will have to be made, that is only thing holding me back.

Electricians, roofers, handymen, the world might get a lot more done if women were more involved in the industry as well, at least there would be twice as many in the pool.

[vpigrad]

1. After dealing with about 20 carpenters for work...

I'll have to say that if JC was a good one, I'll consider becoming a xtian. A good and reliable carpenter is a miracle.

Seriously, why does that type of work attract so many flakes and theives?

[jmowreader]

4. They know they can get away with it

Most people don't know enough about carpentry to be able to identify a shitty job as it's progressing.

To the OP: are you doing a French door or a sliding patio door? They are not the same thing. A sliding door has one fixed panel and one that slides; a French door has two panels that are hinged to the frame. One panel has latches on it that keep it closed. I got this house with a slider, and I want to change it to a French door because if you open both panels, you can get furniture into the house really easily.

To put a patio door into a house that doesn't have one, first use a stud finder to plot out the framing in your wall. NEVER assume the studs are 16" on center--my house has a different OC spacing on every damn stud in it. I would tear out all of the drywall on that wall, because you need to put in a header like another poster described--but he missed something. When you build the header, you make a sandwich--two 2x10s as the bread, a piece of half-inch plywood as the filler. This makes the header 3-1/2" thick and makes your life so much easier.

Oh yeah: If you're buying French doors, get one that's either 5'0" or 6'0". Do not do a 4'0" double French door whatever you do--the only company that makes one that small is Andersen, they do them to order, and they cost $3300. I can get you the same door from the same company in 6'0" for less than half that because it's a stock item.

[Ready4Change]

2. If it's not a load bearing wall, go for it.

However, since it's an external wall, odds are it IS load bearing. That makes the job tougher.

In general, take down the wall material and examine the structure, often 2x4's. Count how many vertical 2x4s you'll have to remove to put the door where you want it. Add 2. That's how many you'll want to put in place to carry the load. You'll also need a solid structure to go across the top to carry the load out to where the new 2x4's are going to be located. That's often a pair of 2x10s, bolted or nailed together to form one 4x10 beam. It needs to be long enough to span over the entire door, plus the calculated number of 2x4s.

In specific, unless you know what you're doing, it's best to get the job done by someone who does. Otherwise an improperly supported load may cause damage to the house, and your insurance carrier my refuse to cover it.

[On the Road]

3. Try This Source

I have found several excellent providers on a real estate investment club bulletin board here in Maryland. Getting good service providers is one of the biggest discussion topics.

This this one in Oregon:

http://www.nwreii.org/index.asp?s=resources&f=discussion

You have to register, but it appears to be free. If you don't see an existing thread, you can start your own.

[uppityperson]

5. Showing my biblical ignorance here

When did JC do carpentry, what with the preaching and healing and fishing and rabble rousing he did?