Beachcombing

Jay Beeler

Another anniversary has come and gone. Not those relating to marriage or employment, just the 50 years of living in the same home.

In preparation for being a homeowner we managed an 18-unit apartment building on Anaheim Road, two blocks from our Ramillo Avenue home. It was there I learned the basics of plumbing, electrical, carpentry and painting.

The best part was getting paid for most of that activity as well as living rent-free for five years. This was how we were able to afford a home that was selling for about twice the value of other homes in the Los Altos area. It’s also called being a “DINK” or double income, no kids.

 

Looking back, this homeowner remodeled three bathrooms, a kitchen, one bedroom, a family room, a playhouse for our three kids and then replaced it with a large outside gazebo for barbecues. Part of the remodels involved adding about 100 square feet to the kitchen and the half bathroom exterior walls.

Now I look back at all that activity – plus exterior hardscape – and am amazed at what was accomplished. When I became an octogenarian last year my body finally said “enough.” I now pay contractors to avoid the aches and pains associated with hard work.

Working with contractors can be challenging. I soon learned how greedy and flakey they can be. The new roof this spring yielded bids between $36,000 and $72,000 – for the same job!

When I contacted three different handymen to replace the water-damaged ceiling tiles in the family room, it took two months to get one with availability to handle the three-day project.

 

My point in sharing all of this with you is to be very careful when working with contractors or handymen.

  • Always get three estimates on large jobs
  • Always get references from former employers
  • Always verify they have experience with your specific project
  • Always verify their license online with the Contractors State License Board
  • Always get estimates in writing that specify the work to be done, payment schedule and estimated completion time.
  • Never pay more than 10 percent or $1,000 up front (whichever is less) and don’t make a final payment until the work is completed

 

Along those lines I recently noticed an advertisement in the Press-Telegram for a “licensed electrician.” So I went to the Contractors State License Board website, typed in the contractor’s license number and up popped this message: “This license is expired (5/31/23) and not able to contract at this time. The license will need a contractors bond to renew active or reactivate.”

Nuff said.

 

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