Home Repair & Remodeling

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

A. I handle all types of jobs both big and small.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Get at least three bids. If a contractor misses an appointment to submit a bid or reschedules a bid appointment don't consider them. Never look for the lowest bid. Ask for references and check the references. Only hire a contractor that is local. Get everything in writing.

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

A. There are many inside tips and homeowner helpful hints that Walt Simmons provides to all of his customers in his monthly newsletter, "Down Home with Walt".

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Before seeking out a contractor one should have a general idea of what the materials will cost for the particular project so they are sure they are receiving and accurate bid.

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

A. Our crafstsmanship stands out from other contractors' services because Walt Simmons is dedicated to integrity, quality and attention to detail. Walt Simmons' background in home building and commercial construction with KB Home, Newmark, Legend Homes and Pillarstone Commercial Construction as both construction manager and sales manager provides the customer with a unique array of insight, experience and dedication to customer service. Walt Simmons is "hands on" on every project. No project is too small and we provide emergency services.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love to build and fix things. I also love customer interaction and providing the customer with the best service and quality available. Unlike other contractors and handymen, I WILL return to a job once the customer signs off on the final punch list and makes final payment if the customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the integrity of the project.

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

A. Do you guarantee your work? Answer: Yes... Will you come back if there is a problem? Answer: Yes.... Do you provide free estimates? Answer: Yes, our estimates are free and very competitive. .....Are you licensed? Answer: Licenses are required for certain electrical and plumbing projects. When required, we provide these licensed skilled trades......Do I need a permit? Answer: A permit is required on most commercial buildouts and construction projects. Where a permit is required on a residential project we assist with obtaining any required permits.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. Recently, I had a customer with a leaky roof . The customer had her roof patched by a previous contactor about six months prior. The job wasn't done correctly, and the the number for the previous contractor was no longer working. Rain in the area was imminent, so I prioritized this project as an emergency. We patched the roof correctly before the rain came. As we began the sheetrock work inside the home I stuck my head up through the hole we cut out in the ceiling. I found myself staring at an angry racoon who wasn't happy to see me. We found the entry point where the racoon was gaining access to the attic and closed it after getting the animal out of the house. The customer is now happily without her pesky roomate and living high and dry with no roof leaks.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That much of what we do requires skill aquired through training and hands on experience. Customers should take this into account before they attempt a "do it yourself" project.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I decided on this line of work because I enjoy building things and interacting with people.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I take pride in all my work, and customers can view examples on all of my postings and website.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I engage in ongoing continuing education to keep abreast of changes in building code, trends, and changing techniques.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. There are many "green technologies" such as tech shield, double paned "low -e" windows, hardie plank, solar products that are becoming prevalent and necessary in our changing economic environment. These different types of products are very cost effective over the long term.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. My most recent project was a commercial build-out in a strip center. The customer wanted a dividing wall with trim and molding, a double service counter with a plexiglass divider window, shelves and drawers on on side, a door with trim and knobs. Everything was custom built and trimmed and painted to the customers specifications.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. My pricing structure is quite simple. It's referred to as "cost plus" which is arrived at by the estimation of the cost of materials plus labor.

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

A. I would suggest obtaining a position with a construction company or home builder to gain the skills required to become a contractor. Engage in as many forms of continuing education forums as possible. Home Depot and Lowes holds "do it yourself" forums constantly that are given by different vendors.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Why should I hire Walt Simmons and J&S Construction? My Answer: Call me about your project, let me come out and introduce myself to you and we'll go from there!