FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I've always made my proposals and contracts as easy and straight forward to understand as possible. I believe customers should always be able to see what their paying for and why, as well as having a variety of choices or options in order to better help them stay within budget. As an example, in a basement remodel proposal, I put allowances in for cabinets, plumbing fixtures and even door handles knowing how much prices can vary on these items. To often over the years I've bid against competitors who find ways to initially make their price look good in order to get their foot in the door. On one bid, an eventual customer, had me come over to compare my bid with another which was around $1500 lower. After comparing apples to apples my price was actually $4500 less, considering the competitors bid had half the lights, no doors, only the labor to install them and a number of other items I included which they did not. As a side note, there are projects I'll bid on a time and material basis depending on what type of project needs to be completed. The bottom line when receiving bids, read the small print and ask questions, because if a bid sounds to good to be true, it's probably missing some key details.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
Since I was a kid I loved building things, we had the best fort ever built and drove my parents nuts with all the add on. Then one of my friends, who was a carpenter, told me there was a job opening as a labor at the company he was working for, the rest is history 34 years later.
- What types of customers have you worked with?
You name it and I've most likely built it. I've completed hundreds of basement remodels and really enjoy building theme basements such as Wrigley Field, log cabins French bistros or home movie theaters. I also design and build a lot of custom barn wood furniture.