I have used my digital camera to take pix to show clients (and myself) damage that needs to be repaired. The first was underneath a house. The problem was the small screen on the back of my camera was difficult to see sometimes. Then I printed pix to show, better. Now I burn a CD and show them on their computer. This really helps me to elicit questions and sets me apart from others in the remodelling biz who haven’t caught on yet.
Anyone else with suggestions (I think a laptop is about to become my latest “tool”).
john
Replies
I often print out photos and send them with the proposal. Most of my work is up high and often unseen (and not understood) by the consumer. Taking digital photos also helps immensly in my bidding process. I constantly look back thru them when I'm putting together big bids. Helps me to keep from guessing and helps jog my memory. I usually don't get to set down and bid immediately after leaving the job site. I don't have or feel I need a laptop, but I'm sure it would be used quite a bit if I had one.
I do this after school (I teach) and never have over 3 jobs going. My area is heavy retiree, and it really helps to show them what the damage is. In addition to having it under the house, I have had it in an attic and up on the roof several times.
The CD burner has lessened my desire for a laptop considerably since I do not have to print as much.
I am really glad I bought the 10x lens for the camera too, plus 128 smart card. One customer had a printer that took the card and we printed pix immediately.
Our digital camera (Canon Powershot A60) came with a video cable - you could show pics directly on a TV.
did
"Now I burn a CD and show them on their computer. This really helps me to elicit questions and sets me apart from others in the remodelling biz who haven't caught on yet.
Anyone else with suggestions (I think a laptop is about to become my latest "tool")."
Harris,
If your camera uses small removable Flash Media cards, you can get a compact card reader that plugs (is removable) into the USB port on the side of the laptop, and display the pics full screen instantly. No need to pester the client to use their PC.
Also, those newer micro-thin notebooks are the way to go vs. the big heavy (laptops) that are still on the market. Combined with a docking station and peripherals, they can completely replace the need for a desktop.
Jon
I have been doing the same..on this roof tear off, I had exposed bad sheathing, and dilapidated siding..we knew ahead of time this would be added T&M work..I snap a before and after shot. When I get back home I can email the pics to them..if they want to print it, fine.
At that time I also invoice for that work..and this customer was floored how well our invoicing and documentation flows.
My portfolio of yrs. worth of work was stolen, and it was all 35mm prints. Now I have my scans ( I had negs and dupes of some of them) and newer work on my laptop. Besides the TV cable and card reader mentioned, it allows one more way of being seen to potential clients..for instance I am meeting with the mayor and local judge this weekend at a river gathering..my laptop is my portfolio, and as long as the battery holds out..I am in business..I can also enter all thier info, and what particulars they are interested in ( as well as thier name, so next time we meet I can REMEMBER what to call them) whether it's remodeling or new furniture.
Back in 89 or so..I was installing a staircase I had built for a spec home..the builder asked me if I wanted to bid on the trim for another house..I said "sure, have a set of prints for me and I'd be happy too."
Another woodworker happened to pull up to the job, looking for leads..the builder asked him as well..he said " whats the archy's #?"..he called on his truck fone..( cells were not out yet) and had a FAX sent to his laptop in his truck..where he proceeded to craft an estimate ON THE SPOT..portable printer an all.
I went home told the SO at the time..gotta get to circut city..I need to tool up to compete! That was my first step..an AST 486 with 4 megs of mem..yikes How I hated that thing..2600.00..LOL
Now it's a bit different..still don't get all the jobs, but I have much better toys.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
486 with 4 megs of mem..yikes How I hated that thing..2600.00..LOL"
Geez,
My 286-12 with 4 meg RAM cost me a small fortune in '88. Close to double what I've ever paid for a computer since. Worked real well too. Boot time of 15 seconds. SVGA @1024x768. Great machine in its day.
Funny, when I replaced it with a PII 350 and 64meg RAM, I thought this is going to be killer machine. Biggest POS. Took like 2 minutes to boot, crashed all the time (WIN 98 first edition).
Last time I used it, half the devices are going to default windows settings. Often ISP (dial-up) speeds were a whoppin' 4Kps. on a 56K connection.
Jon
I did something new with my digital camera today that might turn out to be real handy.
I frequently have to go out and measure foundations before we build trusses. Sometimes it's difficult to remember details about the foundation(s) a few days after I've been to the site.
So today I took my digital camera along when I measure a foundation. After I had measured the thing I took a few shots of it.
Hopefully it will turn out to be a handy thing...
Hillary Clinton's book hits the stores this Monday. Oh boy, it took her a long time to write it. But in her defense, every time she tried to use the desk, Bill was always using it for a date. [Jay Leno]
I think a laptop is about to become my latest "tool").
The newer ones come with WiFi built right in. If the customer has WiFi, you can share stuff directly off the laptop, or go straight to their printer. Which is cool--even though you should not have an unsecured wifi network open, yada yada yada . . .
Before choosing any one LT, price the accessories that you will need/want/must have that go with it. It won't do much good to get a great discount, and spend it all on more expensive add ons.
Get a real mouse, too, the itty-bitty ones are better than the hit and miss of glide pointing. Pay a little extra for a good carrying case, too (tricky that, you don't want too many features, but you do want enough--a little like construction estimating). Be prepared for some sticker shock for the automobile (lighter socket) power supply--they are steep. Oh, and the family will like the new "tool," it gives them a number of cool "gift" things to get you (led keyboard lights that run off a usb port, usb hubs, all sorts of goodies . . . )
Hariss,
Had the digi cam out, and took some pics of the 2 laptop/notebooks we have. The tiny one has built in WiFi and is as fast as a desktop, and only weighs like 1.5lbs I think, and runs for hours. The other, like 5lbs, short battery life.
Jon
Edited 6/27/2004 12:47 pm ET by WorkshopJon
Ballpark $ on the smaller Dell?
Jon Blakemore
Ballpark $ on the smaller Dell?
Jon,
I think $1.5K to $5K depending on the entire set-up, ie. docking station, separate monitor, wireless keyboard & mouse, USB memory sticks, attachable DVD burner, etc, etc.
Still, for someone on the go, IT IS THE WAY to go.
Jon
In the company I work every lead man has one. Before after and during pictures are taken of any changes we make to a site. A lot of times we rework openings for different pieces of equipment and it's good to have proof of what you left. Especialy since the guy aproving the work is usualy far away, it's nice to e-mail him pics so he gets an understanding of what your dealing with.
Who Dares Wins.
FWIW, I have found that many times there is detail buried in the shadows which don't show in the "original version but which show up after digital tweaking.
Gamma correction "lightening" the pic often brings out details not otherwise seen
Attached is a side by side of pre- and after gamma correction in Paint Shop Pro
"It is as hard for the good to suspect evil, as it is for the bad to suspect good."
-- Marcus Tullius Cicero, statesman, orator, writer (106-43 BCE)
What did they use on that drain, bubble gum ?
I think it was plumbers putty.
IMO, it doesn't count as a repair - gets called out as a temporary patch.
I saw one 1/2 CU supply pipe patched with epoxy, had a plastic knife sticking out of the glob - that was before I started carrying a camera.
"It is as hard for the good to suspect evil, as it is for the bad to suspect good."
-- Marcus Tullius Cicero, statesman, orator, writer (106-43 BCE)
I absolutely agree that the age of computers and dig. pics has been great for contractors. The laptop would be a convenience for me as my office is pretty much my truck. I did however read an article awhile back that said that the life expectancy for a laptop in a contractors hands is 1 year. This was based on it riding around in a truck and being exposed to the dust at job sites. I saw the reasoning in this and did not purchase it. I only have to look at my PDA to see the dents, nicks and dirt to know that I would probably fall into the category of 1 year of use.
MES