In this column I want to inspire you as dark financial storm clouds form on the horizon. Over the past few months, we’ve all been alarmed at the steep rise in the prices of food, gas and, well, everything. That, of course, includes building materials and the prices contractors charge — if you can even get them to bid your job.
That’s a perfect segue to Zoe.
Zoe is a young woman who lives in rural New Mexico. She decided over a year ago to build her own home but couldn’t get local plumbers to give her the time of day. She discovered me while searching on YouTube and found out I have been a master plumber since 1981.
She also discovered, much to her surprise, that I do phone coaching calls and also draw plumbing riser and isometric drawings. You need these drawings almost everywhere to pull a plumbing permit. She had me draw hers and then ordered up a phone call. Within a month, she and I were on the phone two more times.
Zoe texted me one day: “Tim, I just got my below-rough inspection done. Passed with flying colors. Inspector said it was the best DIY job he’d ever seen in his 30 years. Thanks.”
Suffice it to say, Zoe was thrilled and went on to finish all the plumbing in the house with my help saving herself probably $20,000.
Last fall, Angel reached out to me. It was a similar story. She lives in upstate New York and couldn’t get local contractors to give her quotes on building a large dormer. She wanted to transform unused attic space into a playroom for her kids.
The purpose of the first call was for me to interview her to see if I felt she had the mental and physical skills to tackle a project like this. I determined she absolutely could do it.
I then asked her email me all her questions, and we did two other phone calls to answer them. After these calls, Angel had all she needed to get started. I estimate she’ll save about $35,000 doing this dormer by herself. I reminded her that elephants are best eaten one bite at a time.
