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Lawrence:
What kind of building is this? Type of crew needed, resources, skills etc. I won’t take on anything which is not within my ability and skill level and have no interest in doing shoddy work (I am sure you wouldn’t want me to but is it exceeds may ability and skill level I’ll let you know forthwith.
And it sounds too good to be true, but anyway, get back to me. I am in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Scott
P.S. I love to work outside.
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Replies
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Lawrence:
I don't know if you got my message or not. I can't figure it out. Let me know either way. Computers are not my forte.
I love working outside.
I am based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Scott
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Larry,
We do a lot of the same kind of work in Texas.
I saw the pictures on you web page......nice.
If you end up with anything in Texas, let me know.
We can supply the labor and material...no problem.
Ed. Williams
*Ok gents, the work can be most efficiently done by a craftsman, (trim man), and a competant helper. A shop is an asset. What I am talking is when people buy the plans...they can dial up the website again to find a contractor to bid on supplying the work--directly with no interferance from me. I would discribe it as basic to advanced woodwork, you should be analytically minded and be good with numbers. Ability to read from plans is a must. We are talking everything from fences and decks to Courtfences worth 350$ per running foot and everything in between. Typically the jobs will run between a couple of thousand and twenty thousand. If you have any problems while doing the job....we will help you out by email. I would like to help you out with pricing because I believe you should be paid well for good work. The only way I would become involved is when there are complaints. There will be a maximum of 2 names per state. As a contractor racks up 2 complaints he will be bumped from the list to let someone else try. I really want a competant bunch of contractors, who are fair and represent the company in a professional way. I do need you to send me the info directly (ed), in an email...I'm just too busy to track everything down. I am just going to cut and paste the info and send it to my web author. I have editing of text for 2 websites to do by tomorrow noon, so don't be shy...send me the contacts. There is a lot of work in Florida for some reason, and Oregan and Georgia seem like hot spots as well.
*Sgian,Oregonian? i.e. from Orygun?I like his site and I think his stuff looks well designed. Been meaning to drop him a line,JonC
*Do you speak gaelic?
*Come on, lighten up. Now we have to watch our penmanship? I am more apprehensive of some slick ad campaign with complete spell check and punctuation. Go tell Joe it's than not then or whatever it was. Shoot, you're lucky we can type. Remember, we're not artisans. We're just ruff tuff construction workers trying to look impotent. Respectfully submitted by a hairy knuckled mean SOB with a bad head cold, internationally yours, Big Cal
*Calvin has expressed a couple of concerns…so I will try to clarify.Why am I doing this? 1) I get or 30-50 emails a year asking for competent contractors in their area. I honestly believe that anyone who cares to read FH cares about quality and to back it up...I will let the people get in touch with the contractors who give their complete information, (disclosure), freely. This tells me they have nothing to hide. Now, my website has not been geared to this sort of service or the sale of plans and we have not been registered with the search engines for this purpose. Furthermore, we have not offered e-commerce, since we had been in the market research phase. Since many plans, all of them have sold at least once since offered, and since they were just opportunity purchases and could not be sought out.... Everything is pointing to this going very well indeed. There are 15 plans complete and only 5 are listed on the current website. 2) The market research has shown that the more you can offer in the way of immediate gratification and service from a website...the better. 3) I've been around here almost 3 years now...I like you guys.... And respect goes without saying. 4) I've already paid for the website.... Helping fellow contractors doesn't cost me a thing.... But it earns me good will, good chi, or karma. Oh and merry Christmas. What do I have to gain? 1) More visitors to my website, sales of plans, passive marketing, and jobs just like everyone else on the list with my company. 2) Maybe someday I will be able to sell banner ads like FH. 3) Maybe get paid back for the 8000 hours of unpaid labor to create these plans in the first place. (sell some plans)What is the catch? I would ask as a gentleman, that if you are successful in selling the job to a client, that someone purchases the plan from me...and this will keep the service going. Following is the text from the web page: Associated ContractorsWe are endeavoring to create a comprehensive list of contractors to assistyou in the construction of your project. We obviously require your help. Ifyou have built one of our designs and have had pleasurable dealings with acontractor please let us know. Contractors, who have built our projects for clients please let us know, give us the client's name and number and a photograph and we will add your name to our contact list.Quality of work: we want you to have a minimum of grief in constructing yourproject. If you have any problems with any of the contractors on our list please let us know. Two complaints or photographed flaws in workmanship willhave the contractor removed from our list.Here is our list thus far; Thus there is only 3 ways onto the list, 1) Through Breaktime 2) Referral from a Client 3) An unsolicited letter to me containing examples of your work and references. As I said before, only 2 contractors in every area, to get away from 5 contractors bidding one job. If a conflict is evident...please let me know. These leads will go directly to you, no interference. I will not dictate price, but would however like to get indications from the contractors who do them, as to how long the projects are taking and what the minimum amount for installation should be, # of hours? I fully expect you to qualify the potential client, as you would normally do. Price shoppers normally don't deal with the company anyhow, there are many cheaper plans out there. All the designs are created by myself. I am one of those self trained, self educated, carpenter fellers, a belly scratcher as you will. I am 32 and have been in business since 1987. We have a center spread article in Canadian House and Home Summer issue and are working on Television deals presently; (they approached me...unsolicited). Our website has been listed by Fine Homebuilding as a “Site to See”, for 2 years now.I certainly do not have to offer this service, however, I think it is a kind thing to do. Share the blessings I have been given. Lawrence Winterburn
*Cal:Your right. Penmanship isn't my forte either. On the other hand, you may be "trying to look" a little different than some of us. Reread your post carefully! It gave me a good laugh!
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Sgian,
I wouldn't look the gift horse in the mouth. I think it's a very unselfish gesture on Lawrence's part. If you don't want to be involved, that's your decision. But I believe that his opportunity is worth looking into, and the price is certainly right. I liked the way his website looked, it seems like quality work and interesting designs. I would be happy to work with someone as up front as Lawrence.
Just out of curiosity, what is it that puts you on the alert? I'm a skeptical type too when it comes to something good for nothing, but I don't read this that way.
MD
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Matt, well if a Republican can admit it, then why not a former hippie? Yeah Yeah Yeah, i know, no "r". Like i said, he'slucky we can type. There's not much hair on my knuckles either. Definitely not any on my ankles. Just trying to inject a little humor into the confrontation. The five years i spent in college, i shoulda taken at least one shop course. Or maybe a business course so i coulda been a contender. But lo, forlorn is me.......
Trying to use the kings english as much as possibly yours,
BC
*Here you go guys...the new site is up, and here are your links.http://gardenstructure.com/contractors.html
*I've talked to Lawrence outside this forum, and heard from one or two others. I have apologised to Lawrence personally for my rude, intemperate and uncalled for disrespect to him in yesterdays posts, which I am about to delete. I am publicly apologising to the forum as a whole for demonstrating such base and crass behaviour. A bad day, and being grumpy after such a bad day is not a satisfactory excuse.
*$5 says you can't properly pronounce BOTH "Oregon" and "forte"! (No cheating.)
*here here! Mighty considerate of you to talk to Lawrence AND come back here and address the rest of us. Hop over to the tavern tomorrow and we'll have a couple. We'll get there early and get yours out so they have time to warm up a bit.Bad days happen, it gives a reference point for the good ones.have a better day Sgian
*Sgian, I'm covering the first round. But I already told you that... Have to nominate Sgian for this month's Breaktime Upstanding Citizen award...Young Bob(Jim Blodgett) can't win it every month!Cheers! Good show Calvin!(web author missed your add, will be a week or so)L
*ooooohhhhh...careful what you say about YB, Lawrence.......you know how he gets.
*You don't think he'd get his logbuilding maul out again and pound me into the ground for a comment like that do you? LOL
*As in "fort".....? Sam
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Hi Sgian,
I've read many of your posts in knots and I know you're a very knowledgeable woodworker. It's obvious you are a good person to know and attone for making a mistake. I'll buy you and Calvin one at the tavern anytime.
MD
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Well, he speaks a version of Gaelic. I propose we adopt Cape Breton Gaelic as the official Taunton Gaelic, as it is the purest still around. See my posts in the Cafe at Knots for Gaelic 101. Ciamar a tha sibh! and Nollaig Chridhail! as tis the season.
*Well, y'see Sam, you lose right off on reading directions -- there were two words. Send your $5 to The Breaktime Contributor Repetitive Stress Injury Foundation.... :)
*The generous nature of some people in here is quite remarkable. I do appreciate it.
*
If you are familiar with my work, and are not faint of heart, (when it comes to wacky details), we may be able to help each other out.
I have the website and get a hundred thousand hits a month. I get numerous people looking to have structures installed all over the states and Canada so I may as well pass on the leads to qualified contractors.
Ok guys…here is what I need….
Company Name, Location, Website address, (if applicable), Email, Booking Time required,(weeks), Contact Nameand phone number, and area of operations, (from….to….to or within state or southern part etc)Licence number etc.
I’ll add you to the list of associated contractors, nice when things are actually free huh? In exchange all I ask is; treat Our Customers with respect and consideration. (Like I'm worried about you guys). This is a no strings attached deal. The customer purchases the plan or you do, (that is why the price of plans is so reasonable). So what do you say...let's get together and make some money shall we?
Oh and I would like to know how long it takes you guys...so that we can get some proper pricing together....(save you guys some more time estimating and take the risk of doing the jobs away).
Please email this back asap, I want to have the new website up by the weekend....
This is going to be a first come first serve basis. I don't want to have too much overlap in areas of operations and I have to reserve the right to remove or to not include responses in certain areas.
L
*What's the URL of your web site?
*Click on Lawrence's Homepage, and follow the links.Please email these in ok?
*Lawrence:What kind of building is this? Type of crew needed, resources, skills etc. I won't take on anything which is not within my ability and skill level and have no interest in doing shoddy work (I am sure you wouldn't want me to but is it exceeds may ability and skill level I'll let you know forthwith.And it sounds too good to be true, but anyway, get back to me. I am in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.ScottP.S. I love to work outside.