Here
is where we get to spout off some of our thoughts.
What
is a hacker?
A
hacker is a person or company who took on a project (roofing, siding,
painting, framing, what-ever..) knowing full well that they do not
have the expertise or equipment to do it correctly. They are in business
today, maybe tomorrow, but not long.., oh, and they'll be back.
What
gives life to these persons?
1. unemployment...
everybody is an everything, do anything
2. quick money... usually brought on by "hey, do you know anybody
who does?..."
Who hires these people?
Everybody,
including us... However, we use them only to rake yards and fill up
dump trucks... non screw-up situations destined for non-failure. We
aren't hiring them to frame houses, roof intricate sloped or flat
roof lines, trim windows or anything else where skill is required.
Who
is to blame for their continued existence?
Show
us a court case involving a contractor and a homeowner/building owner
and two items are most likely present;
1. A homeowner or building owner looking for deal, and mostly trying
to re-deal throughout the project.
2. A contractor trying to do something they were incapable of doing
and probably bid wrong to start.
Our
reaction?
Laughter'.
... gut wrenching laughter! Why? Both parties got what they deserved,
let the courts sort it out. The only thing we don't like is that out
of the two parties, contractors get the bad reputation. How about
the moron homeowner or building owner who hired them? You never hear
about that dimwit (victim… yeah… whatever)
If you don't research your choice of contractor before starting your
next project, chances are, you too will get what you deserve
You probably
have heard them before:
1.
references, references, references..., and not from your next door
neighbor who doesn't know a fence post from 2 x 4
2. insurance... most "hackers" have none... Hell, if you
have nothing to take, why worry about being taken to court
3. contract... protects both parties... READ THE CONTRACT
4. lettered trucks, an office, fax number, 800 #, certifications...,
all a pretty good sign it isn't a hobby..., magnetic signs &
business cards don't qualify here..., magnetic signs are cheap and
if your proud of your business you advertise it ALL THE TIME and
as far as business cards go, you can get them free at the lumber
yard by the thousands if you choose certain products.
SMARTEN
UP AND AVOID COURT
Ps. The
Better Business Bureau sucks... we used to belong... for what? I don't
know. Pay a membership, get a plaque. They get a complaint, I address
it. Hell, most customers complain straight to you. if you do the right
thing, it ends there and everybody is happy. If you don't, they threaten
with a call to the BBB. Oh really.,. I NEVER ONCE, EVER, WILL NOT
EVER satisfy a complaint because the BBB got involved. I'll settle
it because it is the right thing to do. I don't need to pay to belong
to an agency to tell me what good business is.
Pss.
We average about one complaint a year and we're glad to address it.
Nothing serves our business better than satisfying a customer... We
get a lot of marketing mileage from it..., So much so, l wish we screwed
up more (just kidding).
Why do we include a copy of our BBB report with every quotation? Because
it is free to do so and if they had anything bad to say about us,
they would do it without hesitation. Since we have always addressed
our concerns, the BBB will tell you how nice we are. We are nice by
the way and they still provide a worthless service without authority...if
they don't, how come they have thousands of complaints about car dealers
and I don't see any of them going out of business?
DO
THE RIGHT THING...... always hire a qualified contractor!