Construction Services

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

A. I do a lot of concrete work, and structural repair. Those seem to be the going bids right now with the economy and people selling their homes and such. But don't get me wrong, I'll take on anything. No job is too small or big. With economy a contractor can't be picky.

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

A. The best advice I can give is to check around. Get a few bids on what you would like done and research the company's/contractor's work before you dive into something. That's why a lot of people get ripped off because they go with the lowest cost they can get and they don't always get the quality they deserve.

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

A. I've been a customer. I would wish that I knew that not all construction companies were out to break everyone's pockets. Some guys just like to work!!! It kinda goes hand in hand with quality not quantity.

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

A. I think they should definitely know what they want before they buy. Then assess how big or how much they want done. Then use that information to be able to explain to the contractor exactly what they want. That is what this business is all about. What the customer wants.

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

A. I don't believe in quantity over quality. Many other companies/contractors are only about the quick dollar. I believe that when you produce quality over quantity, the $$$ will naturally follow because people will see this about my work and refer me to others. Word of mouth is the best way to market your business. Good old fashioned elbow grease!!!

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love the potential this work gives me. I take pride in every concrete slab I pour, every stamped patio I make, every piece of siding or roofing. The best feeling in the work world is looking at your finished product and saying to yourself, "wow I really did a good job".

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

A. You know, most people just want to know if they have to start cutting off their limbs to pay for whatever they want done. I'm hear to tell them that they don't. As I said before, I believe in quality over quantity so there is room for me to be competitive in what they want done will cost.

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

A. I was working on a stamped sidewalk and patio with a friend for this little old Asian lady and boy was she "nit picky"! But you know what? She and every other customer deserves that right. If I was paying someone to do something I would want it done to my liking as well. She nit picked so bad it could very well have drove us nuts but needless to say she got what she wanted and was very happy at the end of the job. It may have took us a little longer to complete it, but is was worth the smile on her face in the end.

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

A. I wish some customers wouldn't prejudge a construction worker. I have quite a few tattoos and I do get a lot of weird looks and judge-mental comments from people. You know- "this guy is gonna rip me off looks". Ones appearance doesn't always define their character. I've seen the most clean cut guys pull some really dirty moves on people. I just wish that people would get to know the person and not the appearance.

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

A. I started out in this line of work about 12 years ago. Let me tell you I didn't like it one bit!!! My first day I came home dirty, sweaty, and smelly! The more time that went by the more I learned, and the more I learned about my work the more I wanted to take on. A few years went by and I eventually had an injury that put me on the bench for a good year. I was so bored, and missed going to work everyday that I healed up quicker than most guys with the same injury because I couldn't wait to get back to work!!! Needless to say here I Am!

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

A. I just did a concrete stairwell that lead to a basement. We got to dig 8 feet into the ground by hand for this set of steps because we couldn't get a machine in there to dig it easier. I thought it was going to take forever, but we had it done in a weeks time. Not too shabby for two guys who never used to like to get dirty!!!

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

A. I have found that there is something new to learn on every job. In this field, you run into those that think they know everything. I've had home owner's show me some really cool tricks to make my job easier. So I Am always looking to learn new things or ways to make my job and the customer's life easier.

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. You know? Even with the housing market the way it is, people are still buying and selling all the new measuring gadgets, and other products that are supposed to make this work easier. There again I believe in quality. I guess I AM a little old fashioned in the sense that i still use a manual tape measure and a good old fashioned framing hammer. There is one development that I Am personally not a fan of. Building and code enforcement are really taking away homeowner's rights. It's almost as if you don't own your own home anymore. I mean you have to ask someone's permission to do work on something you've spent your whole life and hundreds of thousands of dollars on to own. Sounds like communism to me.

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

A. The stairwell I mentioned earlier was pretty standard except the digging. It entailed An 8 foot sloped whole in the ground. Some concrete panels for the the retaining wall and about 3.5 yards of concrete. We estimated about $7,000 and it actually took less time than I thought it would so the customer really saved some money on the labor cost. We ended up somewhere around $6000. Definitely below the bid.

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

A. I have no set pricing on anything. Someone once told me that everything is negotiable if you leave your personal feelings aside. And I believe that is why I get a lot of the work i do. Because I'm not "money hungry". I mean you have to eat to live. Not live to eat.

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

A. Five suggestions. 1. Know what and why you are getting into before you jump in. 2. Know that you don't know everything about your profession. 3. Be willing to let someone teach you everything you need to know, even if they are younger, older, taller, or shorter than you. 4. Be willing to put in a lot of time, hours, blood, sweat, and tears working your way up from the bottom. Everyone's has to start somewhere. 5. Never lose sight of why you got into the profession you are in. You will never succeed if you lose sight of why you became a construction worker in the first place.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What do you get out being in the profession you are in?

Well for one thing I get to learn about different neighborhoods and cities around the state. I get to meet new people and learn new things everyday. i get to provide for my family, to ensure that they have the things they need and want. Most of all, I get to make peoples homes and communities better. In some cases preserve a little history. There is nothing like restoring a house that was built in the mid-1800's.