FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
My father owned a contracting firm specializing in windows, doors, siding and gutter installation in my home state of Maryland for over 30 years. I worked every one of my summers from the age of 13-18 with him or one of his crews. He sold the business to a family friend and retired in 2009, and we moved to Florida the month after I graduated high school. My first job in the sunshine state was working at a mid-size construction firm called Hernando Aluminum where I worked for over 5 years as a field installer of various aluminum screen rooms, gutter systems, and also completed other various other general construction projects. From there I made my way into drain work and commercial plumbing by taking a job at a company called CIC in Florida that mainly took on new sewer and/or waterline installation for residential neighborhoods, commercial shopping centers, and public municipal infrastructure. Quite the jump I know, but I wanted to learn a lot of different trades. From there, I moved here to Oklahoma and took a job working for the city of Del City in their public works department. There I obtained my Wastewater Operator license as well as my water and water treatment Licenses. (Although Thumbtack currently doesn't have those as license options on their profile dashboard. All licensing is through the state of Oklahoma and DEQ) My most recent employment was with a plumbing company based out of Norman called D and D Drain where I was a field technician doing sewer line replacements and repair, waterline installation, and various other minor plumbing tasks. I've since branched out on my own and I am taking the entrepreneurial leap of faith in myself!
- What types of customers have you worked with?
I would say I've probably worked with just about all of the "customer stereotypes." Heck, I've even had the whole "I pay your salary with my taxes!" argument thrown my way in the past. So, it makes it hard not to answer this question with, "ant type you could imagine."
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I am really proud of a recent French drain install where I was really able to tie in the downspouts in a cool way, while also creating the French drain system in such a way that the homeowner was able to install flowerbeds round it that will be somewhat self sufficient in terms of watering because of the location of the drain lines.