In November I hired Troy Freeman of Ridge to do some handy man work: outside painting, removing and re-installing insulation under the house, and building an access ramp to the house. One would think that would I apply lessons learned in a variety of venues, such as hiring someone to do work for me. First Lesson – Ask for and check references and recommendations – I did not. Second Lesson – Ask for a written signed estimate, to include specific work to be done, costs and schedule – I went with a verbal estimate. Third Lesson – Observe work be done. I did, but not as much as I should have.
Freeman, referred by his wife who used clean my home, is a veteran and claims to do the type of services I needed. Green lights? Wrong – I did not verify or perform my normal checks – query local on-line forums, check with acquaintances and the better business bureau. Nor did I ask for references – Result: Shoddy, sloppy, unprofessional work. My fault.
When I asked for numbers and schedules – the stubby pencil and scrap paper should have been a clue. No written or signed estimate or schedule - Result: Cost too much, no cost detail, work is unfinished. My fault. And, I just did not get involved with Freeman’s work until it was too late. Result: Paint spillage and slop over onto areas of different colors, no clean up of equipment or work areas and the paint work is unfinished, debris under the house was not removed.
There is dumb and dumber. I was dumb to not pay attention to business – no excuse. I will not be dumber and ask Freeman to do work again. Hopefully, county citizens will benefit from my mistakes. Should anyone wish, the results of my mistakes can be seen at my home until I can get my creaking old bones working well enough to redo some of the work and clean up his mess. I can be reached at: ridgeknoll@gmail.com
Freeman, referred by his wife who used clean my home, is a veteran and claims to do the type of services I needed. Green lights? Wrong – I did not verify or perform my normal checks – query local on-line forums, check with acquaintances and the better business bureau. Nor did I ask for references – Result: Shoddy, sloppy, unprofessional work. My fault.
When I asked for numbers and schedules – the stubby pencil and scrap paper should have been a clue. No written or signed estimate or schedule - Result: Cost too much, no cost detail, work is unfinished. My fault. And, I just did not get involved with Freeman’s work until it was too late. Result: Paint spillage and slop over onto areas of different colors, no clean up of equipment or work areas and the paint work is unfinished, debris under the house was not removed.
There is dumb and dumber. I was dumb to not pay attention to business – no excuse. I will not be dumber and ask Freeman to do work again. Hopefully, county citizens will benefit from my mistakes. Should anyone wish, the results of my mistakes can be seen at my home until I can get my creaking old bones working well enough to redo some of the work and clean up his mess. I can be reached at: ridgeknoll@gmail.com
I knew that name rang a bell.
That's what I thought.