My Sony Vaio laptop was taken apart for a cleaning but wouldn't start afterward; the culprit was a ribbon connection that had come loose during the cleaning. Pretty common problem, but not one I have the finesse to fix myself. I took it to Comdoctor for repairs but was surprised when the bill came to nearly two hours of labor. When I asked about it, I was told that it took 45 minutes just to get the laptop open. Puzzled - it's taken other technicians 10 minutes tops, and it's been done in five - I asked the repairman if he had to look anything up for the job; he said "no" - he simply had to check a few ribbon cables. He tried to impress me by saying it was "a complete gut job" (nearly every internal laptop repair is "a complete gut job," i.e. you have to open up the computer; that's like complaining an oil change was difficult because you had to get all the way under the car) and argued that Sony was an obscure laptop manufacturer - that it wasn't a popular make "like a Dell or something." I knew the price was inflated, but I went by to settle up anyhow.
When I arrived at the shop, the owner claimed he'd been listening in on the phone conversation (?) and shouted that I was "out of my mind." When I asked him about the extended time it took for his tech to open up the laptop, he said it was my fault, because the computer was running Windows 8. Windows 8 is gonna have a lot to answer for come Judgment Day, but making screws on a plastic case hard to locate & remove isn't one of them. He then claimed that it was extremely rare for laptops to have to be opened up to be fixed (which is like saying that it's rare to have to open the hood to fix a car) and that it was miraculous that his technician was able to reattach the ribbon (which is like threading a belt buckle. It can take a bit of dexterity, which is why I can't do it, but it's a very routine task for a tech). He also said a lot of other things that I don't think I can print here. He was shouting all the time. I engaged him for a bit - it's aggravating to be ripped off AND screamed at about it - but soon decided that I just wanted to check to see if the repair had been done and get out of there. The owner, though, would not leave me alone while I booted up the computer, continuing to shout nonstop at me and going weirdly in & out of my personal space, as if trying to make up his mind whether he wanted to attempt to intimidate me physically. He then accused me of being this customer who defrauded him in 2008 (??? he kept shouting: "WE HAVE RECORDS!") and had made obscene phone calls to the shop, or something, and claimed that he was going to take me to court for being a thief (?!?!). He was just unhinged at the end and was being so aggressive that I felt physically threatened: I didn't feel safe being in the shop any longer, so I stepped out, called the police in the parking lot, and waited until a sheriff's deputy came by to accompany me while the bill was paid. The deputy didn't seem particularly surprised to be there. Look, this'll probably make an entertainingly insane service experience to tell my friends about in retrospect, but it really wasn't fun at the time - I was outright scared for my safety at the end. And, shrieking aggression aside, it was a grossly inflated price for a routine job - it was extremely obvious that he thought I'd buy any utterly ridiculous tech "explanations" he threw out because I was a woman. I'd had previous repairs done at Comdoctor (it don't know whether it was 2008 or not; you'll have to pardon me - I don't have records), and they went off without a hitch, so I don't know what's changed here - whether new, not-as-competent techs were hired, or someone decided that they didn't like taking their antipsychotics anymore, or what. I do know, however, that I can't recommend stepping into the shop without a parent, guardian, officer of the law, or good amount of pepper spray. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/me/augusta/comdoctor-net-inc-reviews-4857267.htm"},"position":7},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"Ruck Seamless Gutters","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"ME","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Paul T."},"reviewBody":"Was a complicated job that requires approx 2 extra days to complete due to removal of White Cedar shingles originally on roof. Ruck Roofing waited for the ideal weather pattern to ensure job could be completed with minimal risk of exposure to weather. Once we got the right stretch of weather forecast, Ruck's crew worked efficiently and professionally to complete the job. They were very courteous and made sure to ask instead of assuming regarding start times in the morning etc. There were some custom features such as a barrel dormer that required a very experienced touch to execute a quality job and they did it very well. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/me/biddeford/ruck-seamless-gutters-reviews-6229972.htm"},"position":8},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"BARD PAVING CONSTRUCTION","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"ME","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chris P."},"reviewBody":"They showed up on the time they said they would. I asked to put the extra dirt which was mostly loam to a spot that I designated.. Not only did put dirt in the designated spot they smoothed it over . This was very helpful to me instead of making a big pile of dirt. They also removed an old stump even though the driveway was no where near it at no charge. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/me/albion/bard-paving-construction-reviews-4877688.htm"},"position":9},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"JD Masonry LLC","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"ME","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Amory W."},"reviewBody":"I received several estimates on the work and JD Masonry gave me the fairest price as well as some honest suggestions. The crews were all very nice and polite. I had brick steps totally removed and rebuilt with granite treads and stone fronts. I made the landing deeper and wider and they worked with me when I wanted to change the height of each step. Next I changed a section that had old railroad ties and a curved section of 5 steps to solid granite steps and made them more manageable. Finally the walkway was brick and we replaced it with pavers. When I saw the sample pavers on sight prior to install I really wasn't happy with the color that yes I had chosen. They were good about providing a second sample which I was much happier with and we went with...I am VERY PLEASED with the final result. The front of the house looks great now.!!! I decided as an after thought to have them do a small section in brick using some of my removed bricks...I received a proposal and the work was able to be done a few weeks later. I also want to say that this work was done in some pretty extreme heat and they work full days and stuck it out in the horrible heat. I would recommend and use these guys again no question. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/wrentham/jd-masonry-llc-reviews-2013650.htm"},"position":10}]}
Asbestos Abatement reviews from real Angi homeowners in Skowhegan, ME
Joel was excellent to work with. I had a dangerous limb hanging and he was very prompt with removing it. He also worked around my hectic rental schedule which I really appreciated. He left no mess behind, you wouldn't even know he had been there. I will definitely be using him again in the...
Don't be fooled by their upfront pricing scheme. It is nothing more than a gimmick that allows them to charge twice as much as they would if they charged by the hour. Your upfront price may not be the same as your next door neighbor. They came to the house, removed a toilet, and unclogged the...
Reb C.
1.0
01/2015
You know you've had a bad repair experience when you have to call the police to protect you from the owner. My Sony Vaio laptop was taken apart for a cleaning but wouldn't start afterward; the culprit was a ribbon connection that had come loose during the cleaning. Pretty common problem,...
Paul T.
5.0
09/2014
Was a complicated job that requires approx 2 extra days to complete due to removal of White Cedar shingles originally on roof. Ruck Roofing waited for the ideal weather pattern to ensure job could be completed with minimal risk of exposure to weather. Once we got the right stretch of...
I received several estimates on the work and JD Masonry gave me the fairest price as well as some honest suggestions. The crews were all very nice and polite. I had brick steps totally removed and rebuilt with granite treads and stone fronts. I made the landing deeper and wider and they...
Acadia Contractors specializes in Asbestos Removal across the state of Maine and New Hampshire. We have the most experience in the industry and give our customers the quality they deserve. As a DEP Licensed Asbestos Training Facility, we even train our competition. No one knows asbestos like we do. Give us a call for a free quote today!
Acadia Contractors specializes in Asbestos Removal across the state of Maine and New Hampshire. We have the most experience in the industry and give our customers the quality they deserve. As a DEP Licensed Asbestos Training Facility, we even train our competition. No one knows asbestos like we do. Give us a call for a free quote today!
H.T. Winters is a Family Owned and operated small business that has been servicing Maine and New England for over 100 years. We pride ourselves on customer service and satisfaction. Our goal is to make sure our client gets exactly what they want with a quality installation that will last a lifetime, because thats how long we stand behind our work.
H.T. Winters is a Family Owned and operated small business that has been servicing Maine and New England for over 100 years. We pride ourselves on customer service and satisfaction. Our goal is to make sure our client gets exactly what they want with a quality installation that will last a lifetime, because thats how long we stand behind our work.
FAQs for asbestos abatement projects in Skowhegan, ME
The cost for asbestos removal is between $1,200 and $3,200 for average homeowners. This cost could be as little as $450 or as high as $6,000, depending on the affected area's size, the location of the asbestos, and the type of asbestos you're dealing with.
For example, removing asbestos from attic insulation averages $11to $25 per square foot. However, removing asbestos from an HVAC unit is more expensive, at around $35 to $55 per square foot.
No, you should not remove asbestos from your home yourself. It is not worth risking your health, or the health of your family.
There are strict laws regarding the demolition, encapsulation, and removal of asbestos. Not only could you face potential violations, but you could be putting yourself and others at risk. If you don't have the proper asbestos removal gear, you could inhale the asbestos fibers, which could lead to lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Since DIY asbestos removal isn’t the best option to save money, there are other steps that you can take to help cut costs when dealing with this project. After speaking with your asbestos removal expert, discuss if encapsulation is an option. If it is, you can save between 15% to 25% on overall project costs over demolition and disposal. In addition, when speaking with your professional, discuss if there are any tax credits available for your removal project. Finally, check with your homeowner’s insurance to see if any removal costs might be covered. However, be aware that this is usually only applicable if the asbestos is due to a covered incident, like a tree falling into your roof.
It can be scary to need asbestos removal from your home—you might be concerned about your family’s health, the overall condition of your house, and what repairs might need to be done. You can ask your asbestos consultant some questions to ensure your project is completed as safely as possible. Some questions to ask include:
Do you have the proper credentials for removing and disposing of asbestos?
How long will this project take to complete?
Have you worked on a project like this before?
Do you use new protective gear at each job site?
How do you prevent asbestos fibers from being released into the home?
How big is the crew you will send?
How do you clean up after a project?
The most common sign of asbestos is the age of your home. Asbestos was banned in drywall in 1977, though many products still contained asbestos until the 1980s. Indicators of possible asbestos in your home include:
Your home's age, if built before 1980
You have a home with vinyl flooring or millboard that was installed between 1952 and 1982
Your home has corrugated roofing
Your home has walls made from cement sheets
Your home has vermiculite insulation
The Skowhegan, ME homeowners’ guide to asbestos removal services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Discover the cost to replace asbestos siding, including key cost factors, and tips to help homeowners budget for safe and effective siding replacement.
Discover the cost to remove asbestos siding, including average prices, key cost factors, and tips to help homeowners plan a safe and budget-friendly project.
The cost of asbestos testing varies based on location, property size, test type, and other factors. Here’s a breakdown of the costs to conduct an asbestos survey.
Learning how to tell if a popcorn ceiling has asbestos might involve looking for clues. However, the most accurate option is to use a kit for a physical test.