07/22/10 Connecticut Homeowner Hotline

I operate a Contractor network for pre-approved contractors in the New Haven County and Fairfield County area. During the years we've been providing this service to contractors and homeowners, we've have many contractors come onboard and when we get them work, they must be courteous to the customers, keep appointments and guarantee their work. With this said, when and if they do not perform as our network indicates and demands, we opt them out of the network. A recent case in point, one of the contractors was discovered drinking on the job, we let him and his worker go. We do not employ the contractors, they still maintain their independent contractors status, we simply provide a complete line of customer services to them as many or most of them do not have a physical office and they often miss work and we increase that work by advertising and listing on a lot of free sites to generate work for the non-union, licensed and insured contractors who are not receiving any of the work from the government as they are only feeding the work to union contractors. When the customer calls, we contact the a contractor in the network that we feel very sure can help that customer in the best way and provide them with a free estimate. Recently it has gotten busier but it comes in spurts, one week very little, the next week the telephone keeps ringing. I'm not complaining as that's what my service is supposed to do for these personally pre-approved contractors and to make sure the customer get quality service and workmanship as we keep in touch with the customer from the beginning, middle and end of the project. When we do this, we've really earned our customer service fee which they pay us monthly and everyone is happy and feels safe, especially the homeowners, who have heard horror stories, which in most cases are true as I've sent a lot of contractors out of here very quickly once I discovered how they carry on business, it that's what you call it. The result is only the best contractors are still onboard. The blog which is the only thing I use is located at the following url: http://affordableremodelingforhomeowners.blogspot.com/ II would appreciate it if you could make a small mention in your online news site if you possibly can. Several of the contractors offer 24 hour emergency service especially after storms for roof, fence, deck and home repairs. Sincerely, George Mandell 203-934-4232 877-934-4232 ============================== Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com