What should I know when having someone work on my home or car when I cannot do it myself
Princess Cuddles
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Friday, 13th of August 2010 03:15:38 PM
I am not particularly skilled at any one tradebut l know how to use basic Princess Cuddles tools like wrenches, hammers, saws, screwdrivers,and measuring tape for Registered User minor vehicle maintenanc ( only wrenches and screw drivers for vehicle Joined: Monday, 7th of June 2010, 03:32:57 repairs) or home improvements. l can change the oil, oil filter, brake Posts: 1523 pads, air filter, spark plugs and spark plug wires on my truck (relatively Viewed 3758 times minor things) but the more advanced stuff (computer controlled wiring,
fixing head gaskets, cylynders, transmissions, etc) l am not skilled at,
plus l do not have my own garage. Around the house, l can tighten fixtures
such as toilet paper holders, towel holders, faucets, etc and fix broken
furniture when the damage is minor. What should l do so that l do not get
taken advantage of by some unscrupulous mechanic, carpenter, plumber,
sheetrock contractor or electrician (l have been the victim of one once),
when it comes to more advanced repairs and building work that I am not as
skilled at? What laws should l be aware of?
Hip Shot
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Saturday, 14th of August 2010 05:15:32 AM
Follow the link I will provide below and you will find an Hip Shot article that I wrote regarding hiring electricians. Registered User It is called '' Some Do is & Don'ts When Hiring an Electrician / Joined: Thursday, 29th of April 2010, 11:29:50 Electrical Contractor ''. Posts: 832 The information in the article applies equally to the other trades too. Viewed 3862 times
Enjoy & I hope it helps.
Grandpa
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Sunday, 15th of August 2010 11:48:37 AM
I always do research before I hire anyone to do work for me Grandpa whether it be for my businesses, rentals, automotive repairs or around the Registered User house. I check out automotive repair shops to see whether they are AAA Joined: Saturday, 19th of June 2010, 08:07:10 approved or if there are any complaints against them registered with the Posts: 1323 Better Business Bureau. Besides checking the BBB, I check out contractors Viewed 11143 times to see whether their license numbers are legitimately registered with our
state licensing board. (You'd be surprised at how many ''contractors''
use bogus license numbers. Our state maintains a website that makes it
easy to check them out.) I also make certain that contractors are bonded,
have insurance & worker is compensation. I try to make sure that they
don't hire illegal aliens, but that is getting to be more difficult. I
always ask for references & examples of their work. When I recently hired
a painting contractor, I physically drove to the addresses they gave me,
spoke to their clients & inspected their work. Also, I always ask for an
estimate, get at least three bids & a written contract. It really is the
contract that protects you legally.
Romeo Dork
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Monday, 16th of August 2010 06:53:24 PM
Ok let is start with a Hyphothetical Sceniero: Umm, ok, you Romeo Dork want to replace the carpeting in the living room & you need to use a Registered User ''professional'' to install it. 1). learn whats involved in ''replacing Joined: Saturday, 5th of June 2010, 14:25:44 carpeting.'' (as if you were goinig to do it yourself). 2). what tools Posts: 515 does ir require, ie:your materials list. 3). figure (area size) how much Viewed 6677 times carpet you'd need. 4). find out who is charging what (call around, yellow
pages?). 5). check for little things like discounts, warranty's,
gaurentees, etc.
Main point is...THE MORE YOU KNOW about whats going on, even though it is
not YOU doing it, doesnt matter. You not being taken advantage of does!
Knowledge is power & the only Stupid Questions.Are the ones ''UN-ASKED''.
Mo Bo
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Tuesday, 17th of August 2010 05:05:15 AM
Big basic rule -- forget ANYONE who wants any money up front - Mo Bo you may never see them again. Also -checheck their insurance first as your Registered User homeowners may not cover an accident if they are hurt while working in your Joined: Wednesday, 26th of May 2010, 18:18:59 home Posts: 1541 Viewed 10531 times
Stud
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Wednesday, 18th of August 2010 09:42:51 AM
always get a second or third opinion or more and always ask Stud questions and learn what is happening. always get it in writting and check Registered User to see it is done right. there is no fool proof way of getting things done Joined: Monday, 3rd of May 2010, 00:26:10 but by asking lots of questions you stand a better chance of learning and Posts: 1958 not getting ripped off. remember your common sense. if it don't sound Viewed 15907 times right get it check by someone else and someone else till it does. and
learn to live with your mistakes and learn to learn from them
Gempochi
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Thursday, 19th of August 2010 06:41:33 AM
The best way to pick a carpenter or mechanic, is to talk to Gempochi friends or people in the community. I personally think that is best. Registered User Because if a capenter or mechanic has screwed someone over on work, they Joined: Monday, 21st of June 2010, 16:49:25 will not be recommended. Posts: 75 Viewed 2244 times
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