THE BOLTON HARVARD HANDYMAN

"I try very hard to conduct business in a fair, honest, courteous and responsible manner. [name removed] had contacted me about cleaning her gutters. I explained that because most gutter cleaning jobs are so short, it costs me too much in time to chase down estimates. I conveyed my hourly rate, as well as my 2 hour minimum fee, per house call. She asked me to also secure the top of a radon pipe that had become detached. I agreed, with the condition that it was simple and quick. I n addition, I explained that I grouped jobs together by location, and didn’t know exactly which day I would in her neighborhood, but did provide a window of a few days. Her being home was unnecessary, as I wouldn’t need inside access. She agreed to all of those terms. Cleaning her gutters and assessing the radon pipe issue took about and hour and a half. I explained that properly affixing the radon pipe was not quick. The multi-pieced section become detached because it was not compatible with the gutter it had to circumvent. To get around that problem, the installer apparently hadn’t glued that section in place, forcing it to sit askew Proper completion of the task would involve purchasing some new sections of radon pipe, forming the proper angles and lengths, and gluing all of that in place. This section of the radon pipe sits at the roofline, 3 stories above the ground I offered two options. The first was for me to purchase the materials and perform the job. The second option was for her to purchase the materials for me to do the job. [name removed] chose the option that saved her the most money, i.e., doing the shopping herself. We parted ways. She went off to buy the materials. I went on to my next customer. [name removed] contacted me after my workday had already ended, and conveyed that she couldn’t find the needed sections of pipe. She requested that I return and simply re-attach the old section with a plastic tie that she had. I returned the next day, climbed to the roof, and “secured” the old section as requested. I left the unused ties on her deck My travel to and from that job, plus the actual work time took an hour. Normally I don’t charge for travel time, but that’s why I have the 2 hr. minimum fee. I waived the 2 hour minimum fee and invoiced her for just the time it took out of my work day, i.e., one hour. I hand wrote the explanation on the invoice. I’m sorry she’s not happy, but being reasonable, fair and honest is a two way street."

"I have a 2 hr. minimum house visit charge, but waived for this customer. I charged her for one hour. In regards to the muddy tub: That's inaccurate, I hosed down the entire tub using the shower newly installed shower head and hose, while checking it for leaks."