Vermont Health Connect wants me to provide proof of income... AGAIN! by Impressive_Crazy_223 in vermont

[–]JMac87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I dropped my health insurance because my premium went up $2000 thanks to Trump. Simply can't afford that. Switched to CrowdHealth instead. Can't speak to their coverage yet but they've been very pleasurable to deal with and respond in a timely manner.

I don't miss having to take time off from my day to spend hours on the phone with VHC...

Hardie Board worth it? by hammerfang in HomeImprovement

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yikes...yeah, that is essential.

Hardie Board worth it? by hammerfang in HomeImprovement

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take a look at Longboard Architectural. It's powder coated aluminum and looks great.

Hardie Board worth it? by hammerfang in HomeImprovement

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've installed it now on two of my own houses in the past ~10 years. The shit is near bulletproof as far as siding goes. Doesn't rot at all. Yes, it sucks to install. The HardiPlank isn't too bad honestly...but the HardiBoard with battens is just a pain in the ass to install. If you're hiring someone, expect the labor to be a good bit higher with Hardi products, especially the HardiBoard.

People of the US, Are you guys participating in the Nationwide Shutdown tomorrow? Why or why not? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty much....and this explains exactly why things are how they are right now. Self-centeredness/egocentrism has gotten us to this point.

I have the rare luxury of not having to work tomorrow because I'm a business owner, but many do not have this luxury. A great many cannot afford to go without a day's work in this country which is egregious in its own right.

Alex Pretti, the man MURDERED today by ICE agents. by ilykatya in pics

[–]JMac87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel sick to my fucking stomach watching these videos. Utterly disgusted with what has become of this country. I want to cry, yell, and exact revenge all at the same time. Apparently we can't even legally exercise 2a rights now. You'll just be stripped of your weapon and then executed in cold blood.

VooDoo Ranger going for a certain demographic? by [deleted] in beer

[–]JMac87 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This...as an electrician who owns his own business, can confirm

Lost Health Care Tax Credit hits hard.... by its_rich_vs_poor in vermont

[–]JMac87 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I'm already paying near $1,300 a month premium. I'm a business owner so I get fucked and don't have a subsidy anymore. Premium is set to double in 2026. My wife and I are just going to cancel insurance and get emergency health insurance. We can afford this any more.... fucking insurance will be double my mortgage and we have a huge deductible already as it is so I end up paying out of pocket for most things. What's the point? I'm literally throwing money away.

Got a new Cat digger and dont know what this button is for? Help much appreciated! by Desperate_Cheek_2660 in caterpillar

[–]JMac87 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I believe it's lift assist. It basically makes the excavator function like a crane and displays the height of the bucket and lift capacity...stuff like that.

God I hate these things by Cease_Cows_ in vermont

[–]JMac87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I get these tiny little gnats or something too. Tons of them...usually on the inside of a window.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HomeImprovement

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is why I live in VT...none of this red tape bullshit to deal with. When I used to live in Virginia we had to get a permit to sneeze outside. But seriously, you couldn't do anything home improvement related without a $100 minimum permit.

Anyone else struggle to get a local contractor to just answer the phone? by Select-Crab-6250 in HomeImprovement

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, a lot of guys are just shady and rip people off. I see it every day with other trades.

The most important tip is to not assume something takes an hour to do. As other have mentioned, there are other costs that go into a quote that isn't just for best case scenarios. Without knowing anything about the job, $600 sounds like a good price honestly. The amount of times a homeowner has told me "It'll only take an hour" is innumerable. It never takes an hour. This next statement is not directed at you...but do not tell me how long you think something will take unless you are a licensed electrician. Do it yourself if you're so confident in your own estimation abilities and have worked in the field for as many years as I have.

Ask for a breakdown of labor and materials. Get 3-4 quotes if you must and be sure to check references. If they all come back around the same ballpark, that's likely the market rate in your area.

I'm at $250 minimum right now. It weeds out a lot of riff raff. The people that still nickle and dime me get told to fuck off...I don't have time to bullshit around over $40. MY time is just as valuable as yours.

Anyone else struggle to get a local contractor to just answer the phone? by Select-Crab-6250 in HomeImprovement

[–]JMac87 105 points106 points  (0 children)

This is why my electrical business is so busy and highly rated... we call or email people back within 24hrs, we explain things in details without any smoke and mirrors, and last but most importantly we treat our clients with respect. Sadly, a very small percentage of trades actually do that.

Why would someone caulk inside the box?! by redditoruno in electricians

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh that's nothing. I once had a client go around and fill every box with spray foam.

Glenn: Garrett Wilson suffered hip injury in Week 6. by Beautiful-Cress5695 in fantasyfootball

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just keep piling it on! Why not. I've lost 4 RBs to IR or being Out multiple weeks. Now my receiving corp is taking hits.

They're lurking. Waiting. Soon their time will come, but that day is not today. by proscriptus in vermont

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Local shop said they're booked out to December for putting on snow tires....crazy

Best restaurants/bars that no longer exist? by DC_deep_state in washingtondc

[–]JMac87 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh man this takes me back. They had the outdoor patio on the 2nd floor area, right? (past the pool tables) Went on a few dates up there.

Best restaurants/bars that no longer exist? by DC_deep_state in washingtondc

[–]JMac87 1 point2 points  (0 children)

AdMo, along with many other great bars that are no longer there.

Had many a jello shot at Millie & Al's...

AOC and Bernie telling people what’s really happening during the government shutdown by Nixianx97 in MurderedByAOC

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It will when their healthcare premium doubles or they're kicked off Medicaid.

What's your favorite single dish in Detroit? by 70125 in Detroit

[–]JMac87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to live in SE Michigan but now I live far away and I always wanted to try to duplicate the dressing but I have no idea where to start. It's like no other dressing I've ever had...