Just because a contractor says he wants half down only means that's what he wants but my mother told me you don't always get your own way in life. Remember, he may be the contractor but your the guy paying so that makes you the boss. I'd offer him %25 tops. If your holding on to 3/4 of his money you've got a greater bargaining position. When he starts telling you why he can't, you can tell him oh yes you can. <grin> I've learned when your the one holding their money, the more of it you hold, the harder they listen. Business has BSed people into thinking it's their way or no way until you remind them who's doing the paying. Of course their going to try to get as much up front. That's cash in the bank and then they don't have to work as hard and the excuses start. Hey sir, something came up and this was suppose to happen and that didn't so we have to what ever. It's called the run around. If you've got 3/4 of their money, their going to be real careful with ticking the boss off. Alan
Please click on: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~alanandsuzanne/ There, you'll find files of my arrangements and performances played on the Yamaha Tyros keyboard. I often add files so check back regularly! The albums in Technics format formerly on my website are still available upon request. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lenny McHugh" <lmch...@verizon.net> To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 10:16 AM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] roof damage > Alan, excellent advice. In my area all contractors require 50% down. > > -------------------------------------------------- > From: "Alan Paganelli" <alanandsuza...@earthlink.net> > Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 1:10 PM > To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> > Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] roof damage > >> I would suspect that if the damage is that large that there is more >> damage >> you can't see and it's problem that the roof is weak in spots. Crawling >> around on a roof that has no damage is a risky business to start with and >> when you toss in possible water damage it could turn deadly and very >> fast. >> >> It's not just about fixing the hole but about inspecting for other damage >> that possibly could be worse. But, as has already been said, this sort >> of >> thing won't go away on it's own. >> >> Here's what I recommend. Contact 5 or 6 roofing contractors in your >> area. >> Tell them that your taking bids on roof repairs and briefly describe the >> problem. Don't assume. People invite contractors to stick it to them by >> describing things they assume to be true. If you tell the contractor you >> are afraid you might need a new roof, guess what he'll tell you. Yes >> mam, >> we examined your roof and your quite correct. Your roof is shot and >> needs >> to be replaced. That's at least a 10,000 dollar job. Instead, only >> describe what you know as fact. Tell them up front that your only taking >> bids at this time. If they say something like we don't give bids, you >> can >> reply, then you don't get the job. If their honest, they'll come out and >> give you a free bid. If they want to charge you for it, run real fast. >> >> I'm the president of our home owners association and am responsible for >> over >> 55 homes. It's not a large association as such things go but we get home >> owners seeking information on what they can do to avoid being taken. >> >> Out of 5 or 6 bids, you should wind up with 4. There is always 1 or 2 >> who >> offer more excuses why they can't come out when they said they would. >> Their >> probably doing you a favor anyway. Out of the 4 or so you get,you'll be >> amazed at the range of prices. >> >> As an example, on a 10 thousand roofing job the prices could be as low as >> 6 >> and as high as 20 thousand. >> >> Write everything down and never assume you will be able to remember it >> because you won't. Get the bid in writing or you don't have anything. >> If >> it's in writing, you've got the paper to prove the bidder said what ever. >> >> Never pay in full up front. You have no bargaining chips left. If you >> are >> still holding the money, you've got say-so. It is proper to put some >> money >> down up front but only a small amount usually far less then half; like >> maybe >> a fourth. /And finally, run like hell when they start promising you the >> sun >> and the moon. Unless it's in writing, you don't have it. >> >> All the best of luck to you with it. Oh and be sure to inquire about >> warrantees on their work and how long etc. >> >> Alan >> >> Please click on: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~alanandsuzanne/ >> There, you'll find files of my arrangements and performances played on >> the Yamaha Tyros keyboard. I often add files so check back regularly! >> >> The albums in Technics format formerly on my website are still >> available upon request. >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Cy Selfridge" <cyselfri...@comcast.net> >> To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> >> Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 8:19 AM >> Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] roof damage >> >> >>> Jennifer, >>> >>> I concur with Al in that unless you are pretty adept with roofing issues >>> *DON'T* do it. >>> >>> Crawling around in the attic should also be left to those who have >>> experience. >>> >>> Having a pro come and fix the problem is a whole lot less than hospital >>> bills and resultant recovery from falling off the roof or through the >>> ceiling. >>> >>> Cy, The Anasazi >>> >>> From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com >>> [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com] >>> On Behalf Of Jennifer Jackson >>> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 9:04 PM >>> To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com >>> Subject: [BlindHandyMan] roof damage >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Good Morning, >>> >>> I need some input on the condition of my roof and what my next step >>> should >>> be. There is a hole in the ceiling of an upstairs bedroom that is from a >>> water leak. I have been up on a short ladder and checked this part out >>> for >>> myself. It is about the size of a salad plate. I know I have to stop the >>> water from coming in, but I am afraid to get up on the second story roof >>> to >>> investigate. Both afraid of falling, and of doing more damage to the >>> roof >>> as I know nothing about roofing. >>> >>> My mother looks up into this hole and goes on about being able to "see >>> the >>> sky." Her answer to the problem is that I must get some man to fix it, >>> so >>> she is not very helpful as a source for more sighted details. >>> >>> My husband has a theory about this leak that I am not certain about. I >>> may >>> have mentioned that home repair is not his forte? Anyway, he insists >>> that >>> the light my mother is seeing is coming through the vent. He is >>> referring >>> to the round vent things that have a fan in them for ventilation. He >>> claims >>> that the water is coming in through the vent and is normal. He tells me >>> that the other fan has a plastic pan under it to catch the water and >>> that >>> this is why it does not have a similar leek. The water that leeks >>> through >>> seems like a lot of water to be expected to just evaporate out of a >>> collection pan. My husband is suggesting that we just need to put in >>> some >>> more insulation and repair the sheet rock. >>> >>> I am willing to get up in the attic and try to access this area to get >>> more >>> information. I am just not certain that any repairs from that side will >>> really do any good, or of any safety precautions I need to take. >>> >>> Such as perhaps turning off the electricity at the breaker box to avoid >>> any >>> possible live wires? Your input will be greatly appreciated. It will >>> cause >>> a fight with my husband if I go ahead and call in a roofer after he has >>> said >>> we do not need one. I am willing to fight with him, but I prefer not to >>> whenever possible. I would love for him to be right about this. >>> >>> Jennifer\ >>> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------ >>> >>> Send any questions regarding list management to: >>> blindhandyman-ow...@yahoogroups.com >>> To listen to the show archives go to link >>> http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=47:29 >>> Or >>> ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ >>> >>> The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. >>> http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday >>> >>> Visit the archives page at the following address >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ >>> >>> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man >>> list just send a blank message to: >>> blindhandyman-h...@yahoogroups.comyahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> Send any questions regarding list management to: >> blindhandyman-ow...@yahoogroups.com >> To listen to the show archives go to link >> http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=47:29 >> Or >> ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ >> >> The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. >> http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday >> >> Visit the archives page at the following address >> http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ >> >> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man >> list just send a blank message to: >> blindhandyman-h...@yahoogroups.comyahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> > > > ------------------------------------ > > Send any questions regarding list management to: > blindhandyman-ow...@yahoogroups.com > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=47:29 > Or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > Visit the archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ > > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list just send a blank message to: > blindhandyman-h...@yahoogroups.comyahoo! Groups Links > > > >
