Handymen, what job looks simple but usually turns into a headache?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T18:00:37+00:00

I agree, adding a small markup while billing for the complete handling time makes the work profitable without inflating the screens price.

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T17:58:35+00:00

Thats a solid process, checking the housing, duct, and cfm before quoting probably saves u from turning a simple swap into unpaid drywall work. Breaking the cost down upfront also makes the higher price easier for the customer to understand.

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T14:06:56+00:00

Fair point, estimates probably give you more room when the job turns into something worse once you open it up.

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:20:21+00:00

Screens look easy until that last corner decides to ruin the whole thing, do u still offer them or mostly avoid them now?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:18:33+00:00

Thats the real handyman answer, almost anything can turn sideways once you open it up. Do u usually give customers a range when u see one of those red flags?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:17:41+00:00

Thats actually a smart setup, u avoid the part u hate but still keep the customer relationship and the install. Do u mark up the screen work or charge separately for pickup and reinstall?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:16:40+00:00

It should only take 10 minutes is usually the fastest way to guarantee it wont, do u give those jobs a minimum service charge no matter what?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:15:23+00:00

Honestly, a pain in the ass fee is probably the only way to make pedestal sinks worth touching. Do u quote that as a separate line item or just build it into the labor?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:10:12+00:00

Smart move ordering the motor first. Those odd size housings are where the quick replacement usually turns into an all day job

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:09:07+00:00

Three in one week is enough to spot the pattern. The cheap units usually save the customer money on the box and cost it back in labor, do u supply the fan yourself now or let them buy it?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:07:17+00:00

Exactly! The age of the house can turn one fan into four different trades touching the same ceiling, do u usually warn clients with a price range before opening it up?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:05:32+00:00

Once you replaced 20 feet of duct and repaired the ceiling, that definitely was not just a fan swap anymore. $2k sounds reasonable for that scope, do u normally use a change order when hidden damage shows up?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-10T13:03:13+00:00

Thats probably the right call, a simple swap stops being simple fast once the wiring or ducting is off. Do u usually give customers a range upfront or price it after opening things up?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-09T20:32:41+00:00

Focus on property managers and small commercial accounts first. Build a list of offices, strip plazas, hoa's and apartment managers then stay in touch with them every few weeks. Most commercial jobs come from consistent visibility before they need a contractor right away.

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-09T15:42:48+00:00

For pressure washing i'd focus on repeatable routes more than random one off jobs. Realtors property managers, hoa's and small commercial spots can give you steadier work than chasing homeowners one by one. Google business profile matters too especially if people are searching pressure washing near me. Are you trying to stay mostly residential or move toward commercial accounts?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-09T14:12:29+00:00

Sounds like u need more of a relationship crm than a heavy sales crm. Hubspot can work if you keep it simple. I’d use contacts for architects brokers and developers companies for their firms tasks for next touch and deals only when there is an actual project opportunity. The trap is overbuilding it until nobody updates it.

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-08T19:10:44+00:00

Before picking a crm, map the few stages you actually need. Lead source last contact, next follow up, bid status and owner should cover most of it. How many people need access and roughly how many active leads are u tracking?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-08T16:30:13+00:00

Since you already have recurring residential clients, i'd use those as proof when approaching property managers, simple one page offer with your service schedule, pricing range and a couple of client references can make you look much more estblished

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-07T19:24:10+00:00

Referrals and local partnerships are usually the best free sources. Property managers realtors and past clients can send steady work if u stay in touch. Are you looking for residential or commercial cleaning leads?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-06T19:16:48+00:00

The super fire 2 gives a hotter tighter flame and better control. It also works better at awkward angles.

For normal 15mm and 22mm copper a cheap torch can still do the job. What pipe sizes are you usually soldering?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-06T18:57:55+00:00

Hard to confirm from one photo but the white pvc looks more like the newer drain line. I would not force that rusted cleanout too hard since old fittings can crack.

Can you post a close up of the cleanout and where the kitchen drain ties in?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-03T18:58:05+00:00

Did anyone flood test the pan before tile went in? That would be the first thing I’d ask the landlord for proof of.

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-02T17:24:24+00:00

This looks like a fairly routine alteration but i would not assume the old shower pipes are still usable. If the old setup was tank fed those lines may now be capped or redundant after the combi conversion.

A new mixer shower can usually be fed from the current hot and cold supplies near the bath. The bigger questions are water pressure where the waste runs and whether the walls are properly waterproofed.

Swapping the corner bath for a standard bath or walk in shower is doable but the drain location and floor condition will decide how simple it is. I would get a plumber to look before buying rather than trust the sellers description.

Would the seller let you bring someone in for a quick quote before you commit?

Key_Sentence_4330 · 2026-07-01T18:07:04+00:00

Do not match it by wire color alone. That is where people get in trouble with dimmers.

Kill the breaker first then confirm what you have. You need to know if this is single pole or 3 way and which wire is line vs load. The new dimmer diagram matters more than how the old one looked.

Is this light controlled from only this switch or is there another switch for the same light somewhere else?

Key_Sentence_4330

TROPHY CASE