HandymanRick.com
...I fix stuff!

RATES & POLICIES

It is true: I really enjoy fixing stuff! This is fun for me at this time in my life. Although I simi-retired in the year 2000, my primary motivation for running this business is 1) income for my passions (hobby), and 2) paying for our Kaiser health insurance ($1,220/mo for 2008, plus $50 for a visit and 100% for meds, i.e., no co-pay) all without dipping into my portfolio.

AWARD WINNING WORK: Please understand ... this is why I work ... to finally enjoy my hobby. My current passion is the creation of www.black-widow-2.com ... a show rod of the late '50's based on a famous model kit from 1960. Black Widow 2 was built in 8 months in 2005 and won 3 1st place trophies at the Jan-Mar 2006 west coast in-door car shows, i.e., Pomona, Sacramento, Portland and Seattle.

NO ESTIMATES or QUOTES: I work strictly on a time and materials basis with no exceptions. I am not a state licensed contractor, nor do I need to be to do home repair and installation tasks on a T and M basis. However, I will gladly offer a guess as to how much time it might take to accomplish your task(s) but my guess is not carved in stone and not to be considered an estimate. Whatever time and materials it actually takes to accomplish a task is what will be billed.

AN AVERAGE DAY: This is just FYI ... I've tracked my daily time for the last six years on a spreadsheet. My daily average is around 4 hours. Most days I work from 3 to 6 hours ... sometimes less and sometimes more. What this means is VALUE ... I accomplish a lot in a short period of time because that is what I do.

THE POWER OF THE LIST: This is a BIG DEAL! The more organized you are the better I can serve you. I honestly strive to accomplish tasks quickly, as well as correctly. I love written lists! A written list will get you the most bang for your buck.

ONE CUSTOMER PER DAY: I book only one customer per day. This allows me to focus on your task(s) without interruption. Yet I am not a purist. If you wish to help, that's okay by me. Again, I really enjoy this kind of work and it is always even more fun to do this kind of work with a friend ... and my customers are my friends. Also, my cell phone remains off and in the truck out of respect for my Customer of the Day.

WEEKDAY RATE: My weekday rate is $85.00 per man-hour with a 1 hour minimum.

WEEKEND / EVENING RATE: I do not want to work on weekends or start a job the late afternoon/evening, but if that is the only time you wish me to work on your tasks, the rate (weekends and/or a start from 4:00 pm weekdays) is one and a half times the weekly rate, or $127.50 per man-hour with a 2 hour minimum.

ON THE CLOCK: Again, when I am on a task, I am on the clock for all activities necessary to accomplish that task, including material purchasing and delivery.

PAYMENT: Due upon receipt. I do not wait for escrows or other 3rd parties. For your convenience I prefer checks, and offer and as a service if you prefer even though it cost me a bank service charge to offer this to you. That is why I prefer checks. You do not need to pay me in cash as I report all earned income.