What's the Catch?
Let me start off by saying my services are by no means reserved for the less fortunate. I'm willing to work with anyone. It doesn't matter if you're a multimillionaire or completely broke. It doesn't matter what you may have done or been accused of doing in the past. It doesn't matter what religion you are or political positions you take, and it doesn't matter what ethnicity you may be or sexual preference you may have, just as long as the following is understood.
Your Project is within this Circle
I need to define a reasonable proximity.
My apologies to anyone outside of this circle. Please respect the boundary above as I need to draw the line somewhere.
We Work TOGETHER
I don't work for you. I work WITH you.
If you forget all other catches, please remember this one. I'm willing to come lend you a helping hand, but with the condition that WE WORK TOGETHER. My aim is to help people by working WITH them, not by doing for them. You must be willing to put some effort towards your project. Even if all you're physically capable of doing is sitting in a chair and handing me a screwdriver, I'm going to require YOUR participation, not someone else's participation filling in on your behalf. If there are other things you would rather be doing or simply don't have the time, please just hire someone. If I find myself working alone, I know that it's time to pack up and go home. My goal is for both of us to have a positive experience working TOGETHER.
I'm Not for Hire
I am NOT interested in your money.
If you're looking to hire someone to do some work, please call someone else. I'm not for Hire. I understand that sometimes it can be difficult to find a reliable person that does a good job at a fair price, but I no longer work for money. At the same time, I do not pick and choose the projects that I consider to be fun or easy and reject the rest. Even if you have a dreadful or dangerous project, have the time, and are inclined to participate, I'm willing to come and help guide you through it. If you're just looking to find someone to take care of it for you, please understand, I'm Not for Hire.
You Don't use My Labor for Financial Gain
Please don’t use my help as a money making opportunity.
Yes, you will be gaining financially by not having to pay someone to complete the task at hand, but this isn't what I'm talking about. If your intention is to have me help you fix something to resell and profit from, this is what I consider to be using my labor for financial gain. If you have property used for business purposes that generates you an income, including rental property, that you wish to have improvements or repairs made to, this too, I would consider to be using my labor for financial gain.
Half a Day Will Do It
As you can imagine, I need to budget my time.
Unfortunately, I can only offer you a limited amount of time. This will vary depending on how busy I am at the moment. My preference is for smaller projects so I can accommodate more people, but I will schedule up to 4-hour time slots if the time is available.
You Must Be the Property Owner
… and it’s you I must work with.
For obvious reasons I need to deal with the person with the authority to give me permission to do what I do. Weather it be fixing a car or working on a house, you need to be the owner, not just representing someone. On occasion I receive requests from renters that want improvements/repairs done. I do not work on rental properties for a number if reasons.
You Don't Hold Me Liable
This is YOUR project. I'm just offering to help.
When submitting a Help Request, you will be asked to acknowledge the terms of a liability waiver, which states that I cannot be held responsible for any potential property damage or personal injury. I have never had an incident, but you can never be too safe.
Your Project Won't Anger Someone
Please don't put me in an awkward situation.
Sometimes spouses are not in agreement with what one may have me do, or maybe someone might feel offended by me doing something that they feel is their responsibility. Another example could be a project that might upset your neighbor. If any of these scenarios apply to you, please thoroughly communicate with that person and make sure there isn't going to be any hard feelings before contacting me. Please don't put me in an awkward situation.
You Pay for Materials
I'll bring my skill, tools, and labor but the rest is on you.
I will often purchase nessasary materials/supplies for people's projects. Any out of pocket expenses that I incur are at your cost. I may contribute materials to your project that others have donated to me, however, in the end, it can't be costing me. As many retirees, I live on a fixed income and must watch my spending as well.
Limit Your Help Request
In order to accommodate more people, I ask that repeat customers limit help request to once every couple months.
Settle Up and That's All
There is no need to offer me money as a show of Appreciation
At the end of the day, it is sometimes necessary that I recover the expenses your project has cost me. I do not charge for my time but will, on occasion, purchase necessary materials for your project that I will need reimbursed for. Cash is preferred. If you insist on giving more, I will sometimes accept leftover materials from your project or no longer used tools/equipment that I can repair and then use to help others. Understand there is no need to offer me money as a show of appreciation, but if you are going to insist, I ask that you please use the donation tab in the menu titled "If You Insist". Rather than offering a financial contribution, I request that you take just 10 minutes in the coming week to Help Someone Else, someone you have never helped before.