Steve Benjamin

I love being able to solve and repair whatever the customers request is. I absolutely hate the money side of being in business. Until people get to know me and the service I provide I think whatever rate I charge is seen as excessive. Customers need to consider all the expenses that are incurred just to provide this service. Listing just a few expenses would include vehicles, fuel, tools, insurance, advertising, taxes and so forth. My bids take all these things into account. In my many years in this line of work I have had to come in and clean up the mess made by the company or person who had the low bid.

I provide free inspections and estimates for all my customers. I encourage customers to let me know if something I am doing is not actually what they expected so we can make sure we are on the “same page” so to speak and quickly identify areas of miss-communications.

The actual service I provide in large part comes from years of hands on experience across many trades. While it is taught in schools, a person does not come out of school ready to complete with a seasoned technician. My education was in business management and computer science. (More than a few years back) While that is helpful in running a business, my education in the “school of hard knocks” is what will be of benefit to my customers.

I was a farm kid. A farm is a place you learn to do a lot with a little, and you learn to do it yourself. My father was a mechanic and a carpenter while my grandfather was a Master plumber. I always enjoyed making things. While I have held other types of jobs in my life (dairy farming, retail, real estate,) I always found my way back residential maintenance. Prior to retirement I held a position as maintenance manager/maintenance trainer for a large individually owned apartment complex. The properties were located in Springfield, Mo and valued in excess of ten million dollars. Bottom line I have worked with a lot of smart technicians, seen easy to unimaginable problems that needed to be repaired and quit frankly learned from my mistakes. I get satisfaction from being able to diagnose problems, develop proper solutions, and make the needed repair.

I’m sure there are exceptions, but I believe I have met just about every “type” of individual out there. We’re all different. My goal in this area is listen to what the customer is telling me they hope to achieve by working with me. If I believe I can meet the customers expectations I am happy to tell them so. Likewise if I believe I can not meet the customers expectations I will pass on the opportunity.

I recently worked for an older couple. The husband was dealing with the results of a stroke which left him unable to walk. Due to the geography of the lot the home sat on it was very dangerous to wheelchair him out of the house. The garage exit and rear entry were even more dangerous. Needless to say, any event that required him to go down the steep front steps caused anxiety for all. With the homeowners assistance a plan was designed to create a safe passage out the rear entry door. A small deck with steps was in place. I added a five foot square deck extension (per American Disability Act) and then built a twenty foot ramp to the ground. From the base of the ramp I then installed a four foot by seventy foot paver walkway to the front driveway of the home. The project was completed in about a week. I have heard back from these homeowners and have been very happy to find out how well the deck/ramp and walkway have helped. The gentleman now can get out of his home for Doctor visits, movies, and for that matter whatever he want! Free of fearing for his personal safety. That’s very fulfilling and I am happy I was able to be involved.

To be very careful. Initially you are inviting a stranger into your home. I think you have the right for the contractor to provide a background check and a list of recent client referrals that you can contact.