FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I base flat-rate bids on an estimation of the time it'll take to complete a job. That usually includes adding up time spent working directly on the project, cleanup after, planning/design before, and cost of materials when applicable. I don't charge anything for travel time.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
When working with new customers, in addition to going over the work that needs to be done, I like to take a moment and go over the structure of a typical job to set expectations and answer any questions that may come up from that. I'll send a document or text blurb (depending on communication format and project size) outlining what to basically expect. When we're all clear on the basics, we can schedule and get going!
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Most of my learning has been on-the-job, either by learning from someone more experienced or figuring things out for myself. My formal training was a 6-month internship program with Community Rebuilds in Moab, UT. I and my 14 fellow interns built 2 low-carbon, solar-paneled, earth-plastered homes from foundation to finish under the guidance of the builders and GC. We learned the basics of safe power tool use, jobsite standards, plan reading, building codes, and a lot of specialized natural building techniques. The program is great for education, and it's also a low-income housing nonprofit working to provide these ecologically responsible, low-impact homes at affordable prices to residents of Moab struggling because of the area's quickly rising housing costs.