How many people do you know who are what I call "do it myselfers?" Perhaps you are one yourself.
You have a stopped up sink, and need a fancy bookcase with scalloped edges, so you get out the trusty plunger and jig saw and get to work.
But do you know how to make the perfectly decorated wedding cake? When it comes to residential services, and likewise commercial services, in situations that you can't handle yourself, then whom do you rely upon? I know you are interested in finding good local help for something right now! But take a moment and consider the longer term consequences of today's decision.
Let's explore three areas:
jacklegs and professionals.
A jackleg is a fellow who may or may not be any good at what he does, and works under the radar of the prevailing codes and licenses.
By day he may be a meek and mild mannered stock broker, but by night he becomes a fearless chaser of hair clogs in ancient piping.
He may be quite good at what he does, but then again, he may not.
Dare you take the risk? In my estimation, there is a place for jacklegs.
These men will save you a few bucks, because they don't have to worry with professional accreditation the the pros must suffer with.
It may be the case that you can't do any better.
In this case, you have to go with your gut feeling and as many testimonials as you can find.
It's a good day when your unlicensed man takes care of business for you, but it can be a very very bad and black day when he doesn't.
The problem with jacklegs is that many of them don't suffer "callbacks" very well.
While many are good and decent, honest men, there are some who will vanish like soot in a mine shaft at the first hint of trouble.
Their booboos can become your worst nightmare, and then you'll wind up double spending by calling the pro in to correct the problem anyway.
Professionals, on the other hand can also screw you over, but it is more difficult.
First, (if they are 100% genuine) they hold multiple licenses, ridiculously expensive insurance, and various professional accreditations.
The upshot of this is that they have a lot to lose if they don't satisfy.
In larger professional organizations, oft times, the boss sits back in the office cooling under an air conditioner, fielding phone calls from the men in the field.
So, if Tommy the plumber can't decide if he needs a 7/16ths or a 9/16ths open end wrench, he just calls the boss for an opinion.
Then the boss tells Tommy he better get with the program or find another job.
So Tommy stops calling in with stupid questions and learns his trade.
In the meantime, you're not necessarily getting all the pro service you paid for.
You see, licenses and accreditations don't automatically confer brains on the wrench pullers and knuckle busters in the field.
General Contractors Your average general contractors are pretty smart guys.
They know a little about a lot of things.
For example, how many different specialities can you think of when it comes to building a fine home? You have your electricians, plumbers, dry wall guys, painters and pudding makers.
In your really fancy digs, you can have dozens of crafty professional artisans to deal with.
This is where the general contractor comes in.
He is in effect an artisan wrangler.
But then, who wrangles the right general contractor? Home Improvements and Home Repair You find out a funny thing after the project is completed, and that is that installers aren't the same thing as repairers.
An installer, for example may be able to come to your home and install a beautiful wood burning stove over in the corner.
But if the thing doesn't catch fire, you'll wind up having to call a repair guy.
An installer can come into your home and complete the most beautiful perpetual motion machine you ever saw, but then you'll have to call the repair guy to run a wire to it to plug it up.
Oft times these things come together in one package known as a jackleg.
He can install and wire it in.
(As long as he doesn't get caught.
) However, sometimes, the more shiny of the two, as in the licensed, bonded man, in the fancy uniform can't take you all the way home.
So what's a body to do? Even the man who can run water to a brand newly installed and freshly painted grandfather clock may not be able to do that wedding cake for you.
How can you know, even when sometimes your chosen handyman doesn't tell you the precise truth all the time.
(In other words, he tells little fibs.
) The answer is as pure as the driven snows.
Before you start that home project, or the more costly commercial project, protect yourself with information.
By word of mouth, by hook, or by crook, do your diligent research on the company you choose to use.
Live by the testimonial, and you won't die by the lack of wisdom.
While locating national reviews are a cinch on the internet, local testimonials are more difficult.
Beware the glowing reviews of local businesses on those cookie cutter out of town websites.
There is no rule that I know of that precludes the business owner from reviewing himself.
My advice, especially if your needs are involved and or costly, is to avail yourself of online services such as Angies List.
It's better than the BBB or Better Business Bureau, because you'll find out the good along with the bad.
It's a poor approach to select a handyman simply by eliminating the bad ones in town.
You should be seeking the best.
Use your gut when you must and whenever possible, go to sources you can trust, be it direct word of mouth, or testimonials from your neighbors in online sources such as Angies List.
Don't get caught up short or sucker punched.
Pay a little more now to save a lot in the future.
Do what your head tells you.
Get smart and you won't get ripped.
Probably.
You have a stopped up sink, and need a fancy bookcase with scalloped edges, so you get out the trusty plunger and jig saw and get to work.
But do you know how to make the perfectly decorated wedding cake? When it comes to residential services, and likewise commercial services, in situations that you can't handle yourself, then whom do you rely upon? I know you are interested in finding good local help for something right now! But take a moment and consider the longer term consequences of today's decision.
Let's explore three areas:
- Professional handyman services vs.
jacklegs - General contractors
- Home improvements and home repair
jacklegs and professionals.
A jackleg is a fellow who may or may not be any good at what he does, and works under the radar of the prevailing codes and licenses.
By day he may be a meek and mild mannered stock broker, but by night he becomes a fearless chaser of hair clogs in ancient piping.
He may be quite good at what he does, but then again, he may not.
Dare you take the risk? In my estimation, there is a place for jacklegs.
These men will save you a few bucks, because they don't have to worry with professional accreditation the the pros must suffer with.
It may be the case that you can't do any better.
In this case, you have to go with your gut feeling and as many testimonials as you can find.
It's a good day when your unlicensed man takes care of business for you, but it can be a very very bad and black day when he doesn't.
The problem with jacklegs is that many of them don't suffer "callbacks" very well.
While many are good and decent, honest men, there are some who will vanish like soot in a mine shaft at the first hint of trouble.
Their booboos can become your worst nightmare, and then you'll wind up double spending by calling the pro in to correct the problem anyway.
Professionals, on the other hand can also screw you over, but it is more difficult.
First, (if they are 100% genuine) they hold multiple licenses, ridiculously expensive insurance, and various professional accreditations.
The upshot of this is that they have a lot to lose if they don't satisfy.
In larger professional organizations, oft times, the boss sits back in the office cooling under an air conditioner, fielding phone calls from the men in the field.
So, if Tommy the plumber can't decide if he needs a 7/16ths or a 9/16ths open end wrench, he just calls the boss for an opinion.
Then the boss tells Tommy he better get with the program or find another job.
So Tommy stops calling in with stupid questions and learns his trade.
In the meantime, you're not necessarily getting all the pro service you paid for.
You see, licenses and accreditations don't automatically confer brains on the wrench pullers and knuckle busters in the field.
General Contractors Your average general contractors are pretty smart guys.
They know a little about a lot of things.
For example, how many different specialities can you think of when it comes to building a fine home? You have your electricians, plumbers, dry wall guys, painters and pudding makers.
In your really fancy digs, you can have dozens of crafty professional artisans to deal with.
This is where the general contractor comes in.
He is in effect an artisan wrangler.
But then, who wrangles the right general contractor? Home Improvements and Home Repair You find out a funny thing after the project is completed, and that is that installers aren't the same thing as repairers.
An installer, for example may be able to come to your home and install a beautiful wood burning stove over in the corner.
But if the thing doesn't catch fire, you'll wind up having to call a repair guy.
An installer can come into your home and complete the most beautiful perpetual motion machine you ever saw, but then you'll have to call the repair guy to run a wire to it to plug it up.
Oft times these things come together in one package known as a jackleg.
He can install and wire it in.
(As long as he doesn't get caught.
) However, sometimes, the more shiny of the two, as in the licensed, bonded man, in the fancy uniform can't take you all the way home.
So what's a body to do? Even the man who can run water to a brand newly installed and freshly painted grandfather clock may not be able to do that wedding cake for you.
How can you know, even when sometimes your chosen handyman doesn't tell you the precise truth all the time.
(In other words, he tells little fibs.
) The answer is as pure as the driven snows.
Before you start that home project, or the more costly commercial project, protect yourself with information.
By word of mouth, by hook, or by crook, do your diligent research on the company you choose to use.
Live by the testimonial, and you won't die by the lack of wisdom.
While locating national reviews are a cinch on the internet, local testimonials are more difficult.
Beware the glowing reviews of local businesses on those cookie cutter out of town websites.
There is no rule that I know of that precludes the business owner from reviewing himself.
My advice, especially if your needs are involved and or costly, is to avail yourself of online services such as Angies List.
It's better than the BBB or Better Business Bureau, because you'll find out the good along with the bad.
It's a poor approach to select a handyman simply by eliminating the bad ones in town.
You should be seeking the best.
Use your gut when you must and whenever possible, go to sources you can trust, be it direct word of mouth, or testimonials from your neighbors in online sources such as Angies List.
Don't get caught up short or sucker punched.
Pay a little more now to save a lot in the future.
Do what your head tells you.
Get smart and you won't get ripped.
Probably.
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