I need some help finding a quality contractor to do some exterior work on my home in Mid-Michigan. Is there a list available of FHB recommended builders? Or an approved website for a contractor search?
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"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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Specifically
where are you located?
Dansville in Ingham County.
I own a construction company located in Solon, Ohio but we are willing to travel.
And how much experience do you have?
come on man, don't make jokes with this guys project. You're better than that.
no?
Ouch Calvin, I feel reprimanded. I wasn't making a joke of the gentleman's project. I am a project manager and as such I would sub contract his project much like I do in Solon. It's just a matter of finding good cheap and dependable subs. I am willing to take on projects all over the country. We're going to be huge I tells ya!! HUGE!!
yeah?
Well, this poor bastard doesn't need to be involved in your search for that good cheap sub.
Different story if you had a reputation and already had a cadre of quality you could draw on.
Huge?
For somebody that seems to know jack shit about building (at least that is what it appears), you sure are full of yourself and your talents.
There's no recommended listing of FHB contractors.
Buying the magazine doesn't qualify a person nor does logging on here.
If you are near Lansing (Eaton Rapids) I might be able to introduce you to a long time poster from that area.
Matt Swanger was from more south west in the state. Lemme know.
And Ann Arbor has a guy that sounds like he knows what he's doing.
These three might be able to help you out.
Next question, are you a quality, trustworthy and reliable homowner? Have references ready.
I know a couple of guys
in Ann Arbor (I'm from there) but don't know where the OP is, exactly... it doesn't sound familiar.
The way to find a good contractor is to start asking people for names. Ask any tradespeople you already know. Ask the salespeople at the lumberyard in the contractor's area. Ask your insurance agent, your attorney, your neighbors. After a while you'll have some names, and certain of them will keep popping up.
edit: quick Google map shows it's maybe 75 mile drive from A2, closer to Lansing.
AA, no kidding, we might have been 45 minute neighbors.
Aitchkay is from AA. Didn't know it was that far North. Terry Eaton is from Eaton Rapids-that's outside Lansing. And I think Matt Swanger who was from closer to Kzoo-has move somewhere with more possibilities.
Not in the same vein as the above but I once recommended a guy from here to a friend in Cleveland. That turned out terrible. The recommedee didn't do me any favors keeping my good name. Still burns me to think about it.
So be careful on recommendations-but get them from the one who had the work done, the suppliers that know they are regular and pay up. Other good trademen are a good referral also-their name is on that tip.
Thanks Calvin. Any names you can send my way would be greatly appreciated. I have tried asking for references from friends and local business owners but when I looked at the work the contractors did I wasn't too impressed. We are approximately 43 miles northwest of AA & 20 miles due east of Eaton Rapids. I don't know if Matt Swanger from K'zoo would make the trip (approx. 90 miles), but you never know.
In response to your question about my character, I know I'm trustworthy & reliable, but quality? You may need to ask my wife on that one. Seriously, what references should I have?
what references should I have?
Well, in the flip side to you looking for reputable contractors...............and even further-that the reputation includes real quality work that you would be impressed with...........
I also require a good reputation of the people I work for. Some of us have to rely on the general public, which include a whole slew of low life, get it for nothing, slow paying, conniving squirrel dog, rotten, scuzbag worthless as..............
The good customer, one you can work with for the good of the project are not that plentiful. Thankfully I work on referral, my customers are for the most part, prequalified by my former clients. I still get a couple of those "I know this guy".................referrals from associates or some of my suppliers. Some turn out, some I have to walk away from. After all these yrs it's not too hard to gauge the potential customer after a half hour of looking around and listening.
So yes, I'll give Terry Eaton ( Eaton Rapids) a link to this thread and hope he can get in touch with you. I can't say as I've seen his work but I do know he is a quality guy that keeps his word. Heck, he's got his name on a town. I'll try to do the same to the AA guy. At least you'll have a couple.
Best of luck.
Thanks Calvin. I certainly appreciate the help and advise. I don't know what a conniving squirrel dog is but I'm pretty sure I don't fall under that category. I look forward to hearing from Terry & the guy in AA. Thanks again.
but I do know he is a quality guy
but I do know he is a quality guy
Boy, are you gullible!
Terry
Listen Jack
A few pencils go a long way.
A garden shovel and scribe, even more...............but then again, that's speaking toward the caliber of your employee. You however can take credit for initiating the situation.
Hi - I'm the Terry Eaton Cal is talking about
Depending on what you need doing, I can provide you some reputable names of contractors.
I myself am fortunate enough to be booked through the largest part of the summer. If it is not too time sensitive, It may be something I could get to in the fall.
If I can help, e-mail me.
And thank you Calvin - a recommendation is always appreciated.
Terry
You
in Ann Arbor?
Me
in Eaton Rapids.
Terry
They
named it after you!
Actually, I tell people that it was named for an ancestor that was hung on Main St for molesting the local farm animals.
Sounds more interesting then being named after the Secretary of War under Andrew Jackson.
Terry
Well, since they caught him, hw wasn't rapid enough.
They should've named the town Eatin' Slow
Eatin' Slow
They considered that.
But he was really fast after the sheep!
Terry
I thought we were friends.
I have no idea how you came up with that.
Was I born with a reputation? Of course not. And I didn't start working in the trade with that idea either. Imagine coming on this site and seeing your screen name and reading your first post, what would you think? Here's a fine fellow with experience that can lend some credence to Breaktime? That would have taken a vivid imagination.
I would suspect most here would still wonder if you were for real. Sounds more like some goofball poking fun at an honorable profession.
So I guess I'm asking you why you would think it improper to let the guy that started this thread know that?
xpert...
if you want friends you should book into RezFest Jul 16 - 18 in Saratoga Springs , NY
internet friends will assemble there for our 10th reunion
Nuff Sed
I think it's also pretty telling by who's post I replied to.
Sent an email
to the AA carpenter with a link to this thread.
Best of luck.