[Zeke]

It seems that the focus is on trades and master or skilled. Really, is the guy you call to hang a light fixture a master electrician?

I was called by one of my customers to measure and hang some window screens. I was cheaper than some, but more expensive that what my screen source would have installed them for. Why me then? Because NO one was home at either unit on the bay. Lots of really expensive antiques and other fine furnishings. They trust me to do this stuff while they and their tenant are at work.

Lessee here, what else have I done lately? Oh, got a call about some deadbolts that were just spinning freely. I know the symptom. Went out and the bolts weren't lining up with the strikes. They were over torquing them and bent the circlip inside holding the torque shaft. Shaft disengages. Open them up, put the clip on and then realign the strikes. 2 doors, $40 cash. You know what the locksmith charges.

Downspout ripped off. I think I charged closer to 80 for that. Free standing air conditioners with the exhaust run through the wall with a weather cap on the outside. 150 each for 2 different jobs. Who does that?

Lots of bleached historic stained wood window muntins needed restaining and a coat of clear. $35 an hour for a perfect match of old stain color not sold any more (too much red which is the most expensive and hard to get pigment. I just use a eyedropper full of red paint in some oak color stain for a match).

Lots of dryrot repair and some furniture. Fixed a squeaky freezer drawer that the appliance guy wanted a 130 dollar service call to lube up with automotive grade silicone. Installed a dog door in a sliding glass door (inactive side which is the cool way to do that). 85 bucks. The freezer drawer was free since that was the dead bolt house and the dog door people.

I could go on all night.