David Z. -- Indentify restorer (or resthorror)?

[Rollins <73500.616@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

David,

It would be a great service to all of us to know who are the bad apples i=
n
the parts, service, sales, and restoration areas. I have had these proble=
ms
in the past, too, particularly with painters. I would name these people,
but through the process of natural selection, they are out of the busines=
s.
 If you can do it without exposing yourself to a suit for libel, please
name the bum.

For the future, here are some suggestions to minimize (it seems impossibl=
e
to completely avoid) problems:
        =

        * Manage your own restoration. Don't turn it over to master
contractor to handle. This way you pick the       subcontractors, you
communicate your objectives directly to them, you monitor them, and you P=
AY
                       them. This may seem like a lot of work, but in the=

long run it will be less than you probably have           done and still
will do to get the job done right. It will probably be a lot cheaper and
the results will be       better.

        * Check the providers with third parties -- customers, state
licensing boards, consumer protection     agencies.

        * Have written specifications -- materials, costs, completion dat=
e
- -- in the form of a contract.

        * Don't let them get ahead on money -- minimum up front payment a=
nd
pay as they complete work.

        * Don't hesitate to take a crook to court. If you break up the jo=
b
into pieces, with individual providers    for the various tasks, many of
the pieces can be litigated in small claims court (depending on the      =

state).

Paul Rollins
Vancouver, WA

Paul Rollins

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