Been a bit slow lately….January….rotten local economy….
I’m confident that I will be busy in just another week or two (a couple of jobs lined up) and that I’ll have all the work I can do over the summer (just because I think so)…..
…but right now I’m pretty much dead in the water…lots of bids out but no calls….
Last week I looked at a roof leak. It’s a rental. I tell the woman that the problem involves the lack of a drip edge and gutter on the second story eve above the first floor roof where it leaks, probably running the water into and behind the siding on that wall and down into the downstairs apt., etc. etc.
She tells me she has had two different people out to fix the problem….there’s a lot of bad caulk all around…
I tell her $350. She says she has to talk to her husband.
I don’t hear from her and I figure they thought $350 was high and looked for someone else.
Today I’m out front working on the shelving/organization of my “new” van and the phone rings.
It’s the landlord.
“Could you come out this week and fix the leak?? We had someone out on Saturday to put up a gutter, but it still leaks!”
No problem, I say.
“Oh, I wanted to ask, do you guarantee your work??”
For $350 I guarantee it for a year.
“Great!”
I hung up and just started laughing. Then I came inside to post this!
I know, I know, I should’ve said I would have to reprice it after seeing how the gutter guy screwed it up, but I’m just thrilled to get the $350!!
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Replies
Still foolin' around with gutters, huh Rich? :)
Rich-----
don't ever do that again.
Make up your mind right now
there are NO warrantees on repair work-------you can fix THAT problem----and a new one can start RIGHT next to it----or 5 feet over. and the customer wants their money back
their are especially no warrantees when you know you are about the zillionth guy to work on the project.
If they want a warranty----make 'em buy a new roof----or at least that SIDE of a new roof.
In 17 years I have given back money ONCE on a repair----and I KNOW that repair wasn't leaking----but how ya gonna prove it????? and how many trips BACK do ya wanna make for the same $350 ?
Especially----don't do any favors for landlords----they will cheat ya---just for sport.
Early on---- had a landlord call me for a repair-------went out to look at it----called him back and said" listen---you really need a new roof---really , REALLY. I can do a temporary repair---but in the spring you really need to replace this roof----even if you have somebody ELSE do it---you still need to replace this roof.
Landlord says---go ahead with the temporary repair.
So the next day I fix the roof and then go down to the landlords office to get paid.
Turns out the landlord is also a lawyer ( see where this is headed)
landlord/lawyer says---" I don't pay for temporary repairs----so I am not paying you. what are ya gonna do about it?"
well---what could I do ----how much stink do I wanta cause for a nominally charged repair?????
But I NEVER forgot Lou Kalavity, Esq.------and I LAUGHED a few years ago when I saw his name in the obits----and I SMILE every time I drive past the site of his old office---which was bulldozed by the city and turned into a parking deck.
I learned MY lessons,
Stephen
I don't know how it is in other parts of the country, but in TN, a contractor has to guarantee his work for a year.
Matt, I think your missing the point. Stephen is willing to guarantee his work, as long as he gets to do the entire job and do it right.
If I was a re-roofing contractor, I'd only do the job when they let me do it my way. I'd insist on a total strip off, relaying a fresh deck, covering the entire deck with ice and water shield, then using a high grade shingle...something with a 50 year warranty. I'd also insist on laying some heavier felt and ov course new flashings everywhere.
Every one of my jobs would be more than 100% more than my competitors, but I wouldn't worry about any of them leaking.
By the way, I actually know a roofing contractor that started in the roofing business without ever having any experience at roofing. When he told me that he was starting in the business, my only advice was..."Good Luck". I felt that he would certainly fail. Well, he treated it like business, not a trade and guess what...he's got a nice showroom in a high rent district and his business runs on autopilot......
One of the things he did was immediately take control of every aspect of the business. He only does roofs his way, not the cheap way...just like Haz! He also only uses high quality subs. One story he has relayed explains how he maintains his quality while using subs: He was out checking on the quality of the installation on one of his jobs and he noticed some shingles not lining up perfectly. Even though the roof was almost done and the "repair" could be fixed by removing a small section, he made the sub rip off every shingle and start all over or he wouldn't be payed a penny and he'd never work for him again. The sub did in fact rip every shingle off and redo the entire roof.
The roofing contractor got quite a bit of work in that upscale neighborhood. It seems that the retired oldsters were impressed with that type of installation discipline and was so impressed that this guy would make them stip an entire roof for a small mistake that they knew he could be trusted and were willing to pay the much higher prices that he demanded.
Premium pays, it doesn't cost.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
rental property is scary stuff. avoid a guarantee on a rental, by all means. homeowner living there is a whole different story.
Stephen,Thanks. As always, I appreciate your input.Normally I do avoid any warranty on repair work, but this seemed a reasonable exception.The roof is not very old and is in very good shape. The problem is in the lack of a drip edge and gutter. But there is a fascia "wrap" which does not quite go all the way up the fascia. Water is pouring behind the "wrap" and running down to where the eave meets a wall. The siding there is cut to fit around the eave.It was designed to deliver water to the interior of the house.I guess it is a bit of a gamble, but in this case I'm willing to take it.Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
Rich...check your email... have a lead for you. Just let me know if you are interested, or you are close enough.
L
GardenStructure.com~Build for the Art of it!
Rich,
just so nobody mis-understands
I LOVE repair work----it's been the foundation of my "game plan" since day 1
But---I am gonna get paid. LOL
Part of the beauty of repair work is that it lets the homeowner "audition" you. And it lets YOU lecture them----explain what the problem is---why the approach the last guy took was a mistake and destined to failure from conception----and why YOUR approach is gonna work. After you fix this eave detail---in a year or so the chimney is gonna leak----in fact ya might wanna point out that possibility NOW-----and you will be back to re-flash that chimney for ANOTHER $400 or so-----in the meantime---she will have referred you to a co-worker or a relative with a leaking waste stack flashing or roof vent problem----and it goes on and on-----and you get paid every time.
If I had my choice ---I would ONLY do this type of work----per hour it usually works out WAY more profitable than replacing entire roofs.---and it seems to generate more referalls.
If I understand this situation correctly-------you could just get out your sheet metal brake and custome bend a drip edge that will pull all that water directly into the new gutter
Or---you could look to see if there is any ice gaurd on the roof----that could give you a reasonable excuse to remove the bottom 6 courses of shingles---install icegaurd--a new drip edge and re-install 7 courses of shingles---all for MORE than the $350
Either way---you will be home for the day long before lunch.
But you already knew that !
Stephen
Well, I got out there this morning and climbed up the ladder and I didn't know if I should've laughed or cried.I called them up and told them I didn't want the job any more. I told them "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry."Remembering the many admonitions I've read here on Breaktime over the years...seeing again the kind of "craftsmanship" all over that house...and now seeing that just five days ago they paid for this kind of work from a true hack.....The "drip edge" is the gutter guys work. In the one photo, you can't really see it, but the last gutter spike enters the back of the gutter about 2/3rds of the way down from the top of the gutter.The lower roof has no gutter, and it was crystal clear where the gutter guy put his ladder. Drip edge bent all to hell.....
Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
Sorry, Rich...I know you could have used the 350, but at least...
No self respecting livestock would hang out on that roof!
What the HECK was I thinking?
"No self respecting livestock would hang out on that roof!"That's the truth!
Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
hell, Rich - - I did the best I could...can't cha be just a little gracious?...where was I suppose ta lean my ladder? - - I used brand new aluminum for the edge, whatcha want?...'n that caulk's got a 30 year guarentee, I don't see the problem....geeze...
"there's enough for everyone"
350$ is chump change for cleaning out the Chicken shirt and cow Patties!!
And don't try to keep any eggs you find in the gutter!
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
the HO's wife quietly - politely asks if I have a dog...
yes ma-am...
she then climbs all over me abot the stool samples in the yard and that my dog had put them there... clean them up NOW!!!... vile to the max the whole time...
no matter that the dog was never on the property...
snag the spatula off of the BBBQ and pick up the messes...
pull up the potted plant and toss them into the pot...
put the plant back in the pot...
put the spatula back...
put the potted plant back in the dining room's corner...
quit... enough is enough...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
:D
Then you politelyDeclined the invitation to the cookout!!
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
Edited 2/16/2005 6:15 pm ET by Mr T
Oh man!
Priceless dude, priceless. I laughed till I cried. Best pick me up I have had in a while.
I've printed that out.
Thanks
Everything, 100% of it, depends on how you look at it.
DW
Did I ever tell ya what we would do to the wash cloth or the bar of soap when the balls started breaking?????????
You are EVIL!
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
DW is gonna be wondering what I'm still chuckling about as I fall asleep tonight.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
D and I had been doing general repairs and touch up at her house....
husband contracted...
women was gross... nasty and had a major rotten disposistion micro-manager... and those were her good points and qualities...
got tired of her in the 1st 2 minets there on day one.. we made it to day 3 though..
D and I decded to quit and take the loss... we left a day early after she lit off over the dog thing within a couple of minets of being there...
enough was enough...
her "hubby" wasn't the least bit surprised we quit paid what was due and appologized for his wife....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
okay ... I'll bite....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
oh; you know we'll get deleted................
use your imagination.I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
yours or mine...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
lets play, we'll soon find out.
I used to work for a tough azz GC, every once in a while ya get that pain in the a$$ ho lady........he told me he'd show her who's boss.
He'd use the dumper and clean up with the wash cloth or the bar of soap from the shower...........we were hard pressed to keep a straight face when ever she had issues with something after that!
Gettin even is fun sometimes.........go ahead and bust my balls................lah dee da............
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
oh.. that's the tame version...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
this ain't my house.
And, that all is going on in another thread.I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
You guys are my heros