Carpentry, Improvements, Remodeling & Construction

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Lately, most of my work has come from repeat customers wanting Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling, Window and Door Install/replacement/upgrades. I recently completed a large high end pergo deck that was the size of a small house.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. That checking references and not paying upfront until the job has begun is the best way to deal with a contractor you don't know. I've cleaned up a lot of supposed contractor's work that have not come through especially for the elderly. This is unfortunate. To have paid out money to someone who doesn't do the job right or doesn't finish or who doesn't even do the job at all is so frustrating to me as a contractor but even more so for the customer who has experienced it and has come away with a distrust is very unfortunate. You should however, approach everything in writing. Make sure your contractor is insured and has a license. There are protections in MD that protect the customer from LICENSED contractors. A license protects you just as much as it protects him/her. Just because they claim to have insurance and a license does not mean that is the case. Check everything and you will be well ahead of many consumers when it comes to construction/home remodeling.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. We consider our duty to do the job right the first time! Years of experience and working directly and one on one with customers and homeowners set us apart in the construction market. 99% of our business is from repeat customers or referrals from customers who loved our work in the past.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The satisfaction at looking back at the job we did as well done and the homeowner and his and her friends loving the work we did as well! Perefectionism is key here!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How soon can you start? As soon as possible!

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Work hard, read harder and always, always be honest. Your reputation will earn you work or cost you work in the future so do it right the first time everytime even if you are young and working for someone. If they don't want to do it the right way, don't do it. Your name is on your project more than you could ever know. Word of mouth is what keeps you in business well into the future... or it could put you out of business just as quickly. You never know what you can learn from other carpenters and you can start with the books. You CAN study this trade to learn the best and WORST ways to do things. Listen to your boss. Much better if you have a master carpenter to work under to learn the right way the first time. These have been from my personal experiences.