Humbling story
Generally, spring, summer, and fall are incredibly busy for me. This year has been slightly different. In fact, this last month has been rough. I bid a few good jobs and felt confident I would land several. For various reasons (usually because I was outbid), I didn't. So a couple weeks ago the wife tells me we're running short and I needed "X" amount of dollars by the end of the week.
I had been talking to a member of this board about doing his basement, kitchen, and painting his house exterior so I contacted him and told him I'd paint his house for peanuts. Literally, I bid it for about 40% of what I'd normally charge just so I could generate some cash flow. Obviously, the guy jumped all over the deal and I started painting and repairing wood rot a couple days afterwards. Then comes the surprising part of the story.... Bill Lundberg approached me and told me that he and his wife had spoken and they weren't going to allow me to paint their house for the amount I had quoted.... They were going to double it - and they did. I just finished touching up everything tonight and got my final check. I'm not sure if they knew how much it meant to my family, but it couldn't have come at a better time. I didn't really want to tell this story on the board, but I wanted to thank Bill Lundberg and his wife for their generosity and decency towards me. I don't know anything about how Bill Lundberg runs his mortgage business, but he's earned my business the next time I'm in the market. So, if you're looking for a virtuous individual to handle your mortgage I'd expect this guy will definitely take good care of you. |
I can't think of many who would be more deserving.
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Well from reading different stuff in the past you seem to do good things for other people. Sometimes when that happens it all comes around and good things come to you.
They sound like good people. Good luck with the future jobs. I don't have a wife or kids but I do know what it's like having to live paycheck to paycheck in tough times. All around good story for everyone involved. |
Good story.
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sweet
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Good Action, Phil. What a classy move on Bill's part.
Hope it is the start of a good run for you. That is the way contracting can be. Maybe it will be a busy fall, winter...who knows. It sucks being underbid...but it sometimes sucks more to be the " low bidder"! |
I guess I'll remove him from the....
"Bloodthirsty greedy self-serving bastards of the board" threesome I was about to post, in SimplyRed's thread :hmmm: Great story. If we ever move to KC, I guess I'll try to remember to shoot him a PM. :hmmm: :clap: |
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People can suprise you in the best ways sometimes.
That is a very admirable thing they did. As is you being humble enough to post it for all to see. |
Riiiiight. I'll give him some reeeeeppp.
Classy gentleman. |
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This was a first for me though. My first large job when I dove into the contracting gig earned me a $50 tip on payday. Hasn't happened since. In fact, quite the opposite - many times. |
I need to pic your brain on bathroom remodeling sometime Phil.
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Can you do any work in St. louis? We are planning Windows, Building a Garage, and finishing the Basement sometime in the near future....
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Nice story phob! :thumb:
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only if he makes me laugh at his bid.... |
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Thanks, but no. I stopped traveling for jobs last year. I do have an uncle who is in the trades in your area though. Let me know if you'd like his phone number. |
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That's still one of the coolest jobs I've done in terms of design elements. I loved the finished product. |
you need a reality show
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Our windows are as old as the house. 55 years, and in dire need of the upgrade, but we also got one bid on the garage, a bit higher than we orignally anticipated, so it will have to wait for me to get the "real job" before we go that road, but I'd let him bid that too if your Uncle is interested. |
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Handyman jobs are not my forte |
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Well, those are a totally different beast. You can do replacement windows. |
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Well, shoot. Now I am really going to wish you had stopped by, let the kids jump on the trampoline and you and I could have put one up to show me the way.... |
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But insurance took care of me about 10 months later. |
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Before: http://i11.tinypic.com/6g9cn06.jpg After: http://i13.tinypic.com/6gn2zao.jpg |
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It's amazing how slow that process with insurance companies can go, nearly a year later, may just be pretty good, considering. |
Good work! Nice Picture
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Night, folks. |
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It's not much better, think about it. You hear "Honey can you start this project" and I hear "Honey can you hire someone to start that project" we both get hounded, it's part of our job description.... |
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Nice story bud glad things worked out for ya, I have always thought highly of you and I firmly believe in the "what goes around comes around" theory and you got what you deserved :) |
There seem to be some genuine people that post on here, that's a big reason why I come back. Good shit man. :bravo:
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No, Phobia likes to eat, thus the kitchen. He also loves to crap, thus the bathroom. It's all about input/output. |
Know anyone that can do concrete work? Mudjacking? I think that is what I need. Bunch of BULLSHIT!
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We are trying to "prepare" our house to sell late next year. My parents are trying to "prepare" their house to sell early next year.
This remodeling stuff is not my thing.....but I'm learning. At least I think I am. Congrats Phobia! If you were in my area, I'd be able to keep you busy with my damn basement that seemingly will never get finished. |
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Nice ....... Props to both of you, Phil and Bill.
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Wow, I was all worried when I started to read the story, glad it worked out. I'll definintely be looking that guy up when we buy a house. Best of luck Phil!
Micah |
Phil did a terrific job on the house and in all honesty he probably saved me the extra money by recomending lower cost materials and paint that suited my time frame for the job. Aside from that it's nice to have someone working on your house who you can trust to have the "keys to the kingdom" while you're away and know that everything will remain just how you left it (although I haven't done a beer count since returning from the weekend).
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Great story, and classy move by Mr and Mrs Lundberg......
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way to go, Bill.
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Nice story.
I would help out but I don't really have any work for anyone, unless they can replace the windshield on my jeep :shake: |
Haven't you learned anything Lundberg?
If you can't kick a man when he's down, when the hell can you? |
Um....Phil? Maybe now is a good time to tell you that my wife talked to some dude who would do our deck cheap and she signed the contract and he came over and ripped off our deck the next day and I've been afraid to tell you.
That Bill Lundberg, what a guy. What a guy. |
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I hope he does a nice job for you. |
Great story Phil, thanks for sharing it. I hope your hard times are over, truly.
Bill Lundberg, honorable and awesome thing to do! :thumb: |
I meant to post on this thread the other day.
First off, Mr. Bill Lundberg is obviously a person of great class and dignity, so prop things to the Lundbergs, one and all. Second off, I'm getting a little concerned about you, Mr. Phobia, and am going to channel some positive ethers your way in the expectation that your situation improves dramatically and soon. Third off, Mr. Iowanian is correct. Some people don't kick you when you're down. They wait for you to try and get up first. FAX |
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Hey...now wait a minute. Phil gave Bill a price that was 40 percent of market. Bill then doubled it to 80 percent of market. It looks to me like Bill is ripping Phil off by 20 percent.
Everyone! Gang up on Bill! |
Great story and classy move by Mr. Lundberg.
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what goes around comes around. Always take care of your guys.
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