? for you gentlemen handy-men

PrettyPaisley · #41 07/24/13, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie

Miss Paisley ... I'm noticing a trend here. You get abused by the oil change place, and now by handymen.

Perhaps some aggressiveness training is in order? I'm sure some of the ladies here could give you some training into the steely-eyed stare used on hirelings, or the imperious harridan look that makes lesser beings shake at the thought of displeasing you.

I recommend you talk to MullersLaneFarm for some aggressiveness training right away! I bet the handyman who left a sandwich wrapper in her yard would have driven away with it lodged in some very uncomfortable location.

I know it seems like I might be a pushover but I am honestly usually very demanding. I had a contractor who promised me he could remodel my master bath in about a week. Three months later I finally gave him a piece of my mind and he left my house in tears, calling me a "mean woman". A grown man, tears spilling over his cheeks as I threw his crap out the front door and told him to never set foot on my property again. And he didn't even come back for the balance of the crappy work he did. So I can be tough when I have to.

I guess my question is more one of being polite and less one about a dumpster worth of trash and 10+ hours to clean it up. I went out to the barn last night to milk and found lunch trash all over the floor and just wondered if I just simply expected too much. As a mother and waitress I am constantly sticking wrappers and straw papers and snotty tissues in my pocket (from my kids-not the folks I bring dinner to!) and I just couldn't help but wonder why others can't throw their own trash out. And every. single. day. I look up at that ceiling and just want to spit-I guess I should get up there and fix it but I tried to patch the ceiling myself where the old light came down and I just don't work well hanging on to a ladder. And I don't know how to get it sanded so I can paint the ceiling and cover up the darn pencil marks. And how would I have known to discuss the pencil marks before he started the job? I didn't know he was going to be writing on the ceiling!!!!

Now off to shake the dust off my dictionary and look up a few words. Thanks for keeping my brain sharp, Ernie!!!

Twp.Tom · #42 07/24/13, 10:13 PM

I contracted for over 30 years,(both employed,and self-employed),I was taught in the trades-"to always leave the jobsite looking nicer,than when I arrived. I also expected the jobsite to be "ready",before I started,and payment upon Completion. I would be "ashamed" to leave a "mess",for the homewowner. In "times of plenty",we sometimes would have to turn work down,because we were booked for the season.Most of the work that we would do,was referral.-Because we did Quality work,at a fair price.

Ernie · #43 07/24/13, 10:28 PM

If you're a basic handyman, not a specialist, your bread and butter is repeat work and referrals.

If you go to the hardware store or open up the yellow pages, there are 80 or more ads and business cards up for handymen you've never heard of. What do you do when you want a handyman? You ask your neighbor or your friend who they use.