What do you do for a living?

[Hank70SS]

How's this economy affecting you Steve?

[1969SS396]

Originally Posted by Hank70SS

How's this economy affecting you Steve?

Hank, I guess I got lucky through mother nature and have been very busy.

A big hail storm hit our area July 3, 2008 and since that time we have done about 50 insurance jobs which were removing existing shingles, siding, gutters, windows, doors......basically anything exterior that the hail damaged and replacing with new.

One insurance company in particular was so happy with the good price I gave, quality of work and no customer complaints that they kept giving my name out to their insured.

We just finished the last house last week that we were awarded a contract on due to that storm. Now I have some other work that is not insurance related to do that customers are very patiently waiting for me to do.

Guess I have been very lucky, there are many others who weren't as busy as I have been.

[RBeckman]

Steve,

That is good to hear, it tells me that you are we respected as one of the thing this economy has done is weed out a lot of below par contractors. In my eyes if you made it through this mess you can make it through anything.

[Hank70SS]

That's great Steve. Way too many people in this state have been nailed by the economy. Nice to hear someone is doing well. Keep up the good work.

[Ms Grumpy]

Originally Posted by 1969SS396

Hank, I guess I got lucky through mother nature and have been very busy.

A big hail storm hit our area July 3, 2008 and since that time we have done about 50 insurance jobs which were removing existing shingles, siding, gutters, windows, doors......basically anything exterior that the hail damaged and replacing with new.

One insurance company in particular was so happy with the good price I gave, quality of work and no customer complaints that they kept giving my name out to their insured.

We just finished the last house last week that we were awarded a contract on due to that storm. Now I have some other work that is not insurance related to do that customers are very patiently waiting for me to do.

Guess I have been very lucky, there are many others who weren't as busy as I have been.

It sounds like you take pride in what you do. And you do a good job. Two things that are hard to find in contractors now a days. Continued success to you.

[Rank]

Originally Posted by Ms Grumpy

It sounds like you take pride in what you do. And you do a good job. Two things that are hard to find in contractors now a days. Continued success to you.

Gonna have to disagree with you on that one Ms! Actually "pride" and "good work" seems to be a in-bred trait MOST of those contractors that last and are successful possess. Its usually the "new-guy" that ruins it for those that actually take this profession serious. I know in California the Contractor's Licenses are issued cronologically and most of the suspensions and revokecations are those with the newer numbers.

To ad fuel to fire of the belief that most contractors are inept are shows on HGTV like "Holmes on Homes" that find someone that might have had a bad contractor experience and then proceed to disassemble the guys work and allude to the rumor that most contractors do the same crappy work.

Watching that program in particular I can spot many techniques he and his crew use that I would never consider knowing that the end product would be substandard.

[Ms Grumpy]

I can say that we had more than a few contractors at our home over the years, and have even asked a few to leave. One because we found beer cans in the back yard. Another because we saw what a shabby job he was doing. Another because it took him months to even start the job after many promises and then he would not return our calls.

We have had the best of luck with local, insured, handy men. So to me, anyone who has numerous recommendations is someone that I would consider to come to my home.

[grandsport]

I find beer cans in my back yard all the time.

[Hank70SS]

Beer cans, maybe on the grill or the table outside or the end table in the family room but not out in the yard. They're worth 10 cents a piece here, I don't have money to throw around.

[Rank]

Originally Posted by Ms Grumpy

We have had the best of luck with local, insured, handy men. So to me, anyone who has numerous recommendations is someone that I would consider to come to my home.

Insured? I am not sure what you mean. Insured for replacement if this handyman blows up your house? Insured if he falls off your roof and breaks his leg?

Dont know about your state but out here in Kalifornia that "handyman" can not legally enter into a contract for more than $500. I dont think you could get much done to your house for that. And, of course YOU would have to pay his his with-holding and payroll bennies , you know unemployment insurance, worker's comp, social security..... is that something you would do, I mean LEGALLY employ this "handyman" as opposed to hiring a qualified and established builder?

As far as the beer cans scattered through your yard, my feelings on that (although I havent drank in 25 years) beans come in a can and beer in a pitcher and anything any different is just wrong! LOL