FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I have general pricing for different things,but every job has different circumstances. For instance when pouring concrete. If a concrete truck can't get to the area where your pouring, you can't do it for the same price as a job where you can. Clutter in a house with dogs and cats under your feet is a big time killer. How far you have to carry your materials have to be considered. Jobs without electric or a restroom are factors. I find it's better to look at the job site first.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Usually phone contact at first and then meeting at the job site to look at what the customer is wanting to do. If there's blueprints involved I ask if I can get a copy for estimating purposes. If not I take measurements on site and let the customer know I will get an estimate together and let them know in a day or two. Depends on the size of the job. First I give a estimate over the Phone and if they're interested I can email or mail them an estimate. Smaller jobs can be bid by phone or on site.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I started as an apprentice carpenter right out of high school. I graduated from the four year apprentice program in 1981. In 1980 because there's a lot of layoffs in construction I started estimating and doing work as J B Clark Construction. I also retired from the carpenters union after 31 years of service. 10 of those years as a carpenter foreman and the last 8 years as superintendent for a general contractor. I ran jobs ranging from 5 to 30 million dollars. During all this time I remained self employed also doing numerous jobs. My largest job of my career was the air force museum and hall of missiles at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Is was completed on time and on budget. I was also responsible for safety on the job and received a letter of commendation from the army corp of engineers for over 270,000 man hours without a lost time accident. Safety is top priority on construction sites.