tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post8330028716136639583..comments2024-03-05T10:58:13.425-05:00Comments on New Around Town: Lesson learned: Always check out your handymanLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10916922360940636719noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-82296515402174334962014-02-28T01:31:56.673-05:002014-02-28T01:31:56.673-05:00very great information on this site..I really impr...very great information on this site..I really impressed to read all that great information..I really appreciated that great information..thanks for sharing all that great information...Apanshkahttp://charlotte.handyhomepros.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-66321034907378569352008-03-01T13:10:00.000-05:002008-03-01T13:10:00.000-05:00I lived in a neighborhood near Freedom Park which ...I lived in a neighborhood near Freedom Park which seems to attrach an undue amount of people walking through the neighborhood asking for yard work. One time a man offered to rake my front lawn for $20, a ridiculously low price, as I had two huge maple trees. After doing half the work, he asked for $10 and said he'd be back after lunch. Needless to say, he never returned and we found some items had been stolen from my son's car. Another time, a man who mowed several of my neighbors' lawns and did handy work for two business owners I know, mowed my lawn. His mower had been stolen so I let him borrow mine to do my neighbors' lawns. He became a pest and showed up on my doorstep every morning to beg for other odd jobs. Finally, one day I returned home to find my mower gone and he never returned. In both cases, the police officers I contacted were well aware of the presence of these two people and their habits.<BR/><BR/>From then on, despite their sob story, it is my policy to say no. Actually, now, as a single woman, I don't answer the door for anyone; friends who drop by know to call me first.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-42984548357952280042008-01-23T16:52:00.000-05:002008-01-23T16:52:00.000-05:00Check out this website of NC District/Superior cou...Check out this website of NC District/Superior court calendars. You can check by defendant, officer's name, citation number, etc. Best of all, its free! If you scroll down under the list of counties, you can do an all county search, and also check for drunk driving arrests.<BR/><BR/><BR/>http://www.nccourts.org/Courts/CRS/Calendars/Default.asp<BR/><BR/>Most county sheriff's departments, at least the larger ones, have websites where you can search for active warrants, inmates, etc. <BR/><BR/>Last but not least, you can always look on the FBI's website too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-24299514894131911652007-12-21T09:05:00.000-05:002007-12-21T09:05:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-65529697776724260202007-12-21T09:02:00.000-05:002007-12-21T09:02:00.000-05:00North Carolina Legislation didnt even know that it...North Carolina Legislation didnt even know that it wasnt a LAW not to take criminal back round checks; I didnt either. Anyway Charlotte is getting to be a crime magnet because of al the nooks and crannies in the woods; Why there is a ton of woods and 8000 homeless living in the woods. I feel for them and we need to have them into a tenant situation rather than their safety and ours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-56110065976413158052007-12-21T08:58:00.000-05:002007-12-21T08:58:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-61654099406976391832007-12-20T08:57:00.000-05:002007-12-20T08:57:00.000-05:00Liegh I used to help build small 1200 sqf houses a...Liegh I used to help build small 1200 sqf houses and anyone can learn to do many of the tasks you descibed; LOWES , HOME Depot , and ace hardware have many experienced People and Lowes has a lot of Nomenclature or literature phamlets on everything; People get frightend at home improvement but mistakes are part of experienced contractors; Sometimes I have heard of unaware plumbingand wires that had to be relocated ; Even the best gets suprise, just watch ' THIS OLD HOUSE" . Even Norm of this old house finds things that other People quick fixed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-35940695118114488662007-12-20T08:42:00.000-05:002007-12-20T08:42:00.000-05:00Lets face it the Charlotte area is getting ripped ...Lets face it the Charlotte area is getting ripped off with consumer fraud; Many jacks of all trades and few masters of one. To many People coming here starting a business without requirements. To many cant find a job and throw a magnetic billboard on their vehicle and without insurance , bonding no rules here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-85126802570313823552007-12-20T08:39:00.000-05:002007-12-20T08:39:00.000-05:00Even Home Improvement stores have problems with so...Even Home Improvement stores have problems with so called contractors; One thing with a large company is that eventually they will fix it right; There are many good contractors in the Carolinas but there are to many , thats the problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-5685164615814583362007-12-20T08:37:00.000-05:002007-12-20T08:37:00.000-05:00I worked at a HOME IMPROVEMENT store and some Cust...I worked at a HOME IMPROVEMENT store and some Customers would tell other Customers that they were licensed plumbers ; The next day the same Person that said they were a PLUMBER would deny they told someonethat; Thats when I knew to check People out before you deal with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-91998126117306567832007-12-19T14:56:00.000-05:002007-12-19T14:56:00.000-05:00Thanks, Leigh, for not making the title of this, "...Thanks, Leigh, for not making the title of this, "Are northern handymen better than southern handymen?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-21669140160857548962007-12-18T23:22:00.000-05:002007-12-18T23:22:00.000-05:001) Give the tools and equipment back to his brothe...1) Give the tools and equipment back to his brother. You don't want any reason for any further contact with this guy. Period. <BR/><BR/>2) Invest in the following - no need to go crazy with it, but don't scrimp and get cheap stuff either: <BR/><BR/>a) a decent drill and set of bits<BR/>b) needle nose pliers<BR/>c) an adjustable wrench<BR/>d) standard pliers<BR/>e) an adaptable screwdriver<BR/><BR/>You'll be amazed at how many household jobs you can do with these.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-20005396571355158432007-12-18T20:30:00.000-05:002007-12-18T20:30:00.000-05:00Leigh, don't feel too badly. Everyone's been burne...Leigh, don't feel too badly. Everyone's been burned at one time or another when it comes to hiring someone to do a job, and we do have a tendency to hire the cheapest we can find. I do hope he doesn't come back to try to hurt you, and I think you've taken the proper precautions.<BR/><BR/>What can we take away from this?<BR/><BR/>1) If it's too good to be true, it probably is. His bid was the lowest by far for a reason: his unreliability meant he needed work and would take a low price to get it. <BR/><BR/>2) Unless you really know someone (or work with someone who's bonded), don't leave them alone in your house. Try to arrange someone to be nearby all the time, or only have the work done when you're there.<BR/><BR/>3) It's probably a good idea for you to give the brother the tools and toolboxes-- less of a reason for him to come by.<BR/><BR/>4) Unfortunately, there are those (especially in construction and auto dealerships) who will take advantage of single women. My ex-girlfriend took me along whenever she went someplace where she thought someone might try to intimidate her (I'm 6'4" and can be menacing when I haven't been fed). Bring a male along to provide some cover. I might even be willing to volunteer for that role... ;-)<BR/><BR/>5) Take this opportunity to learn some basic home skills and get some good power tools, so you'll be able to do some things for yourself.<BR/><BR/>I hate the idea of not hiring someone just because they were ex-cons, but they do have a higher burden of proof than someone without a record. Get several references and don't leave them alone if at all possible.<BR/><BR/>We can all learn from your experience, and hopefully everything will work out for you.unicorn1824https://www.blogger.com/profile/02009739201458054469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-25879392684898574182007-12-18T17:27:00.000-05:002007-12-18T17:27:00.000-05:00A second for Angie's List. The small subscription ...A second for Angie's List. The small subscription fee really does pay for itself with the first job.<BR/><BR/>I know just enuf to be dangerous when it comes to home improvement/fix it and there is no substitute for information. <BR/><BR/>And, frankly, there are contractors out there who WILL try to take advantage of females. Arm yourself with info and that is unlikely to happen.<BR/><BR/>Plus -- and not trying to scare folks -- but you must assume that any stranger you invite into your home is a potential threat, if not directly, perhaps via a friend of a friend of a friend.<BR/><BR/>One simple approach -- mention that you work erratic hours and/or from home a great deal, that'll you'll be popping in out all the time during the job.<BR/><BR/>A lady who lives alone might want to drop the her brother/dad/boyfriend will be dropping by later, sometime maybe, who knows.<BR/><BR/>Most of all, trust your gut. You are not running a charity. If something seems out of whack, it probably is.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://charlotte.johnlocke.org/blog/" REL="nofollow">JAT</A><BR/><BR/>PS -- And Realtors are not good sources of info for fixes. Their values are quick and cheap -- not right and proper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-67750506086422183062007-12-18T16:19:00.000-05:002007-12-18T16:19:00.000-05:00Sounds to me like you got a lot of work done at a ...Sounds to me like you got a lot of work done at a reasonable price. Of course, he screwed you here. Hopefully you haven't paid him anything yet. It sounds like you didn't. So he has a criminal background. Does that mean that for the rest of his life he should be treated as a pariah? Ostensibly, if he has a criminal record and is out free he has paid his debt to society for those crimes and should be allowed to live a normal life. That shouldn't be a reason to not hire him. I don't agree with what you wrote, to an extent, nor do I agree with what many of your posters have had to say. At the same time, I don't find any fault with your actions and I don't think you should be ashamed at all. He did a good job on a number of things, for which I am sure you paid him. He didn't finish this one, and hopefully you have not paid him. Whoever you hire next ought to be able to pick it up where he left off. (You may be entitled to keep the tools to pay off the difference in his contract price and that of whomever you hire next.) <BR/><BR/>All in all I think 1) your posters are being too hard on him, and 2) you are being too hard on yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-32053253330478321262007-12-18T16:01:00.000-05:002007-12-18T16:01:00.000-05:00Wow Leigh, I am glad you weren't harmed physicall...Wow Leigh,<BR/> I am glad you weren't harmed physically by this guy. I agree with "Susie" give the brother his tools and keys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-34658704742238083112007-12-18T15:33:00.000-05:002007-12-18T15:33:00.000-05:00Angies List. When I first moved to town and bought...Angies List. <BR/>When I first moved to town and bought a house, we tried to hire people to paint, do repairs from the phone book. It never worked out. Angie's List is a great resource- take the time to read the user reviews and ratings. My last 3 people hired through that service landscaping- (honest enough to put my project off due to drought and save me a couple thousand in dead plants), fence (built a good fence for a good price and came back to make some small repairs), and general handyman (worked for 4 straight hours to knock out a list of minor repairs). They have all been excellent. And reliable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-15815072978443793682007-12-18T15:15:00.000-05:002007-12-18T15:15:00.000-05:00Here's another website to check for possible crimi...Here's another website to check for possible criminals in Mecklenburg county:<BR/><BR/>http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/MCSO/Home.htm <BR/><BR/>Do the inmate, warrant, and arrest inquiries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-75612584241435550442007-12-18T14:34:00.000-05:002007-12-18T14:34:00.000-05:00Wow- sorry that happened to you Leigh. I moved he...Wow- sorry that happened to you Leigh. I moved here a year and a half ago and also got taken by a handyman. He came highly recommended by the Realtor selling the house we purchased but he overcharged me and I found out later that he didn't do all that he said he did. Thanks for links. Next time we'll know better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-22066327305609379102007-12-18T14:28:00.000-05:002007-12-18T14:28:00.000-05:00I am sorry about the fact that you had to go throu...I am sorry about the fact that you had to go through such an ordeal! However, I am a little concerned about your safety, especially just outside of your residence. What if he gets into a fit of drug-addled rage and wants his equipment back and comes looking for it, incendiary or club in hand? <BR/><BR/>I think that although you could profit from the sale of his equipment (which could possibly be stolen or ill-gotten), returning the tools to his brother is a safer alternative, even if it means sustaining a loss on the bathroom upgrade.Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07661444049666212135noreply@blogger.com