From Margeting GURU to Small Contracting Business & Loving it!!!

Hello Everyone!


I am not sure many of the readers know this because the blog is supposed to be about interior design, New York City living, furniture assembly and styles, as well as companies we have found to offer quality products at fair prices. Nevertheless, I will make this as short and painless as possible.


I worked for 10 years in marketing in which I started as an entry level cold caller until the day I decided to leave in which I was the Regional Marketing Director for the West Coast, which consisted of overseeing 6 offices and 200 plus employees. When my little princess was born it made me rethink my life, and what I "really" wanted. Now, I loved the money I made in marketing but with it came an element of vices and things I no longer wanted to be a part of my life. I worked as a construction laborer since I was 13, doing everything from roofing to working 4 summers as a masons tender. The work was hard, days were long, but I couldn't explain the feeling I got when the job was done and knew what was there before and knowing I helped build this. Even today when I return to my old city I take a ride by some jobs with my daughter showing her what daddy help build. After leaving my marketing position and relocating to NYC I knew I had to find a job. Everyone told me to go back into marketing or sales, but I knew I wouldn't be happy. So, I learned about Craigslist & begun doing small handyman jobs and a majority turned out to be assembly of ikea furniture. I did my homework and saw that there was a demand for such a service and completion was limited. So, within a few months I got licensed, insured, a office/closet and started working. I took on a helper who is now my Project Manager, Lawrence Land. Today we are the City's #1 professional assembly & installation company and recently opened a subsidiary NYC HANDYMAN that does all types of handyman services and specialized services such as Home Inventory Recording & Childproofing.


Yesterday, I had to do a Childproofing Home Evaluation wher we take a complete inspection, including our basic checklist as well as measurements and pictures. We provide the client with a preliminary on site report of our findings and reccomendations. Then we locate all the materials and price them, configure our labor and send the client our final evaluation report with what they require, along with the total cost for materials and labor. However, what would have been just a normal job turned into a great reminder of exactly how important my services and employees are. The family we are working for has decided to adopt 3 children from S. America and it really touched my heart at how these people went out and did such a wonderful thing. I applied half of our evaluation cost to the installation and intend to do the project at a minimal profit. It just reminded me that I'm not just a handyman, carpenter, or whatever. I'm a person who provides a valuable service to great people and childproofing this home might possibly save a life or at least a serious injury.


Below are some companies I strongly suggest you patronize. The first one Angie's List is a GREAT website to find out about a company from actual previous clients. You will know if they are reliable, on time, clean, does quality or poor work, or are just out and out crooks. I believe that it is great to be able to look up a company to see what other people had to say about their workmanship because this is where we go when we need to hire outside subcontractors. The other links are to great retailers where you will find beautiful products at unbelievable prices.

For Professional Furniture Assembly: www.ezfurnitureassembly.com
For Professional Handyman, Childproofing, & Home Inventory: www.nychandyman.biz

Beware of Shady Contractors & Furniture Asssemblrs

I am sure many of you found some humor I'm my last post, but believe me if happens all the time. I can't tell you how bad I feel for these people, and if I tell them that this can;t be done for this or they will cut corners it sounds to them that I am trying to undermine them to get the work. Most Importantly go with your gut!

Beware of a contractor who:

• Isn't licensed or insured if applicable for the work at hand. You can check their license online at the NY State licensing website.

• Has popped up out of nowhere, literally. You can't verify any of her references, websites, commercial references, or that she even has a fixed business address.

• Rubs you the wrong way. "Trust your instincts," "If something doesn't feel right about the person, then it probably isn't." If they are in and out in 15 minutes with a price be sure to thank them as you show them the door.

If it's a furniture assembly job most if not all professional companies charge 1/3 of the retail price. If this person offers a price far less it is a flag they are new to the business and have no idea what they are doing.


• Is so eager to get things started that technicalities get brushed away -- but not the fee. He'll say you don't need to sign a contract and try to get you to pay for the project up front. This Old House: Get it in writing
Don't Miss

* This Old House: How to hire a contractor
* This Old House: Not all painters are pros
* This Old House: Hiring a qualified plumber
* This Old House: 21 ways to save on your remodel
* This Old House: The (Don't Get Burned) Remodeling Guide

• Asks you to write a check directly to him for products, such as cabinets and windows, instead of to the company supplying the items.

• Offers a bargain in exchange for using your home as an example of her work or tempts you with a low price that's only on the table if you sign that day.

• Tries to get you to buy stuff you already have. Don't get talked into paying to install a new kitchen cabinet set if you like the one you have.

• Asks you to pay for work that hasn't been done yet or for materials that haven't arrived. Most contractors require about 1/3 of the total price up front and the rest as the job progresses and you are satisfied with the work as it is being done. They also normally figure a total material costs where they have you make a deposit on the total amount of materials in the amount of 1/3 of the total price plus a 20% mark up they add to the price. If they ask for all the money up front, again show them the door!

. If you call and they are busy that is a good sign. It's the guy who is waiting for the phone to ring that you need to worry about because that normally means they have done such poor work that they don't have any referral work, or they are not even a business that has capital to market. However, in the furniture assembly business some companies are able to do several jobs a day and try to schedule new appointments within 72 hours, but no professional contractor should be able to do your job in that time unless he has an army work on 20 jobs at a time.

. Last but not least be weary of the low baller who bids so low that there is now way they can complete a professional job for such a low price. Get three or so bids and out of the ones that are close in price make your decision and make sure you get it all in writing.

Christopher Purnell
www.ezfurnitureassembly.com