Our new logo is here, check it out on our facebook page and the home page of this site. Tell us what you think. Also, Property Serv has recently partnered with PCCU and if you're a member there is a special discount just for you. Contact us to find out more. The maintenance agreements still seem to be generating some curiosity and interest. Just had one signed yesterday. Feel free to comment on the site or the blog or our facebook page. Remember to "like" us. Thanks!
0 Comments
Well, it's been a busy summer so far and I'm not complaining. Earlier this year things seemed uncertain, but when the weather warmed up the jobs came. Small things like replacing a pane of glass, to site clean up for construction companies, to fence replacement. Electrical work and plumbing repair, painting and drywall work, it has all shown up. The maintenance agreements we offer are catching on, a few are signed and others are in the works. Your home and property require maintenance and upkeep and your dreams may require renovation. Property Serv can help you with all of these things, no job to small and things done right. We are looking out for you.
No, this isn't a commercial for cosmetics or eyelashes, although I do like eyes of the female persuasion. Anyway.....back to the subject. Some of us have the unique ability to fix anything we come across, whether mechanical or structural or cosmetic (really, I'm not thinking about eyes....). Are these lucky few born with a natural knowledge of exactly how things in the universe go together or exactly which screw to turn to make that d*** electrical thing to work? Maybe, but more than likely these were developed skills. "People don't live that long", you might say, I would argue that it's not about life's longevity, but about having a mind that can take a certain skill and apply it to any situation. Take a peanut butter sandwich for instance (no really, hang with me on this one), every kid has made a peanut butter sandwich, right? How can that be applied to repair of a house or completion of a project or even engine building? Well, there is an order of operations, remember that from math class (M-D-A-S), you can't exactly put the peanut butter on your hand then the bread. For the people out there who need complete and accurate instruction, try this, you can't get the butter knife in the jar if it (the jar) isn't open. So, we have order of operation, what's next? Application, one must apply the peanut butter to the spreading apparatus and then on to the edible medium, this could also be called "construction" or "building". This skill can be used in tiling a bathroom or finishing concrete or even gasket making for engines. Thin set must be "spread" onto a floor or wall for tile to adhere. Obviously houses and engines don't have to many edible parts, unless you're a bug or rust, but the concept is the same. To achieve a certain result things, lumber or pistons, must be put in their proper place and in the correct sequence of the of the project. This is where the terms "ground up" or "inside out" come from. Next you would have the Options phase. Some people like jelly or honey or syrup on their peanut butter, even without these things the sandwich is almost complete. Options might include wiring a house for sound or video or putting the high dollar copper gaskets between the heads and the block on an engine. Options are going to vary from project to project, but the same rules apply, they must be done correctly and in the right order. Finally we get to Completion, we might have been there already, but we're making a whole sandwich. After the walls are up and the house wrap is on, what's next? Siding on the outside and drywall on the inside. "But all we have to do for a sandwich is put the other piece of bread on", you might say. Really? I beg to differ. You can put the bread on, but then only the sandwich is complete not the whole project. "How"?, you ask. In order for the sandwich to benefit you, it actually has to make it to your stomach. Believe me, siding is nothing like putting on that other piece of bread, neither is finishing drywall, but the mechanics of what to look for and the stamina to complete are skills developed in sandwich making, well in the eyes of a five year old it's stamina because they are all "starving to death". Enjoy the fruits of your labor, savor the fact that you completed a project, regardless of whether it was necessary or just because you felt like it. In my line of work, if my clients are happy, I'm happy. The best way to develop a well rounded skill set is to find someone who is doing what you need to learn and volunteer your time to pick up some pointers or to hone what you already have. OJT is sometimes the best teacher. Now, I'm gonna go fix me a sandwich.....later.
Today, I received confirmation that our first maintenance agreement was signed! This is a big deal for Property Serv and a step in the right direction for the business. The maintenance agreements we offer do have no monthly fee. Why pay for something you're not using? We charge per job unless there is something that is reoccurring, then a flat rate can be set. We don't even charge by the hour, it is really by the job! If you are interested or have question about this service, call or email and we can discuss options. Property Serv is insured and believes in doing quality work. Job creation is just around the corner, the more agreements we get the closer we get to hiring new people!
Perhaps it is like reporting any public hazard—if you don’t do it, someone could be injured or killed. When an untrained worker does renovation on buildings containing lead, he exposes himself, his client, and his family to a lead hazard. He may spread lead dust throughout the home he’s working on, and he can carry lead dust home on his clothes, face, and hands. The lead safe practices used by certified RRP contractors minimize this possibility—thus protecting the residents of the building, the construction worker, and his family.
When a lead-safe certified contractor drives by a pre-1978 project that he bid on and sees the work being done by non-certified renovator, just how is he supposed to feel? He is obeying the law and doing business in safe manner, yet he is losing income needed to pay his employees and support his family to the renegade renovator. A contractor in Maine shot a video of a non-compliant renovator sanding the side of an apartment complex without containment, PPE, or any safety precautions. Then he posted the video on YouTube. Although it took several months, the non-compliant renovator was eventually cited and fined by the EPA. CONCLUSION The EPA admits that without people bringing RRP violations to their attention their enforcement efforts are diminished. They are hoping that the majority of contractors have a willingness to report misconduct by non-compliant renovators. When compliant contractors have their livelihood jeopardized by what amounts to criminal activity, reporting RRP violations is not vicarious snitching but only good corporate citizenship. We finished painting Mancino's last Monday morning, we finished about 12:30AM. It's done and the owners are happy. Stop in and check it out. We can paint your business as well, call for a free estimate.
Property Serv does offer home and property maintenance agreements. These are set up so that you do not pay a monthly fee, we charge by the job! Why pay for something when you don't need it. This will give you peace of mind to know that all you have to do is pick up the phone and call. From maintaining the landscape to fixing broken pipes, we've got you covered. No more shopping around trying to find someone you can trust or has your best interest in mind. Property Serv is making Richmond and the surrounding communities a better place to live. Contact us to find out more!
The iron fence is up and on the ReStore. According to the oldest person in the neighborhood, this fence has been standing for over 100 years. The iron is still solid and sound and would be a great garden or yard décor item. Plenty of life left in it, If taken care of, this will last another 100 years. Stop by and check it out, the total length of the three sections is 12 feet.
I had the opportunity to go out and look at a deck that was damaged by fire today, for the purposes of fixing it. This deck was constructed of a treated wood frame and a composite shell. What is "composite" anyway? It is a combination of recycled wood, dust or fibers, and a plastic or some kind, like PVC. When I thought of "composite", I knew it was a recycled product and normally maintenance free, that's part of the draw. I thought that this product was somewhat superior to wood, it ought to be for the price. After looking at the deck today, I'm not so sure. The fire started on an outside corner and spread to the entire underside of the deck, driven by wind. All of the joists were burnt and the flooring charred. Though the top of the decking wasn't affected, I'm not sure of the structural integrity of it after being burned on the bottom and subjected to intense heat. This got me wondering what the fire rating of composite decking was. After some research most of the decking available locally has a fire rating of "C". That is the same as wood, but unlike wood this has a plastic in it. A plastic fire seems to be a little harder to put out and not to mention the smoke and toxic fumes released when burned. The house the deck is attached to definitely has smoke damage from the burning composite. My hope is that others would not falsely assume that because this product is a "composite" that it is somehow more fire resistant than regular wood. The ease of use and low maintenance make this a good product, but the same care should be taken as with traditional materials and the cost of replacement taken into consideration.
Coming soon: Antique iron fence, over 12 linear feet. Watch the Re store for pics and purchase info.
|
AuthorCraig Jones, owner of Property Serv LLC. My goal is to better educate the homeowner and to make Richmond a better place to live. Archives
October 2013
Categories
All
|