I would first like to point out that 2 separate complaints were filed
on the same day by the same person. One was for [redacted] and
the other for [redacted]. I am copying this response in both complaints
as it is the same situation. The...
complaint numbers are [redacted] and
[redacted].The first thing that I would like to address is the
complaint that we have not responded to their concerns. I was not
personally dealing with the situation but was copied on some of the
correspondence and I have been copied on 3 responses to the concerns and
have personally responded once. We have had an ongoing conversation
about the issue but despite offering ways to resolve the situation, a
solution has not been reached. The second thing that I would
like to address is the statement that the customer did not agree to the
subcontracting of work. This is specifically laid out in the management
agreement and [redacted] is specifically listed as the contractor
of choice. The third item that I would like to address is the
cost of handyman services. Yes, the rate charged by [redacted] is
$59 per hour. Yes, there is a trip fee charge of $15. Those prices are
kept in line with competitors. To verify that these prices are still in
line I googled the cost of handyman services and found the following: Expect to pay about $30-$50 an hour for an independent handyman in rural or less expensive areas and $40-$60 an
hour in more urban locations or regions with a higher cost of living.
These rates are just average estimates, and will vary considerably by
region and by individual worker. Some handymen charge a lump sum for a
specific project, depending on the complexity.Depending on the skills needed, rates run $60-$125 an hour for a professional handyman company. There's often a $150-$350 minimum charge and there can be a $30-$100 "trip"
charge (if the worker needs to go buy materials). A professional
handyman company usually has several employees, providing a wider range
of skills, and screens employees for experience and reliability.The
hourly charge of $59 and $15 fall well within and actually under these
price ranges as Blue Bear is not an independent handyman but a handyman
company.Specifically in regard to the Window latch work order,
the technician logged 4 hours of labor and $35.77 for parts. A trip
charge was applied as well. The total based on that should have been
$286.77. The 4 hours included driving to the home to investigate the
issue and to see what supplies were needed, driving to the store to get
the parts and then driving back to the home and making the repairs. The
technician reported getting caught in traffic so in good faith a full
hour was removed when billing. That brought the bill to the $227.77
amount. Specifically in regard to the blinds work order. 5 sets
of blinds were installed. The quoted price of $30 per blind included the
labor and trip charge. This should have equated to $150 but the bill
did come in at $200. We offered to refund the $50 that it went over the
estimate by. The owner did not accept this solution. By the owners
admission, he is asking for a $150 refund from the $200 charge and thus
wants to only be charged $50 to have 5 sets of blinds installed. His
stated cost for the blinds is $8. At $8 per blind that would only leave
$10 for labor. We charge a minimum of 1 hour and a trip charge so even
at $8 per blind the cost would be $114 and it likely took longer than 1
hour to install 5 sets of blinds. All of this being said we are
willing to offer another resolution and hope that we can finally put
this situation to rest. The refund requested by the owner is $59 for the
window latch work order and $150 for the blinds. We are willing to
refund the $59 for the window latch work order. We are also willing to
refund $86 for the blind work order based on the lowest possible amount
that installing the blinds could have cost, $114. Total refund offered
is $145. I hope that this is agreeable to all parties. ??
I would first like to point out that 2 separate complaints were filed
on the same day by the same person. One was for [redacted] and
the other for [redacted]. I am copying this response in both complaints
as it is the same situation. The...
complaint numbers are [redacted] and
[redacted].The first thing that I would like to address is the
complaint that we have not responded to their concerns. I was not
personally dealing with the situation but was copied on some of the
correspondence and I have been copied on 3 responses to the concerns and
have personally responded once. We have had an ongoing conversation
about the issue but despite offering ways to resolve the situation, a
solution has not been reached. The second thing that I would
like to address is the statement that the customer did not agree to the
subcontracting of work. This is specifically laid out in the management
agreement and [redacted] is specifically listed as the contractor
of choice. The third item that I would like to address is the
cost of handyman services. Yes, the rate charged by [redacted] is
$59 per hour. Yes, there is a trip fee charge of $15. Those prices are
kept in line with competitors. To verify that these prices are still in
line I googled the cost of handyman services and found the following: Expect to pay about $30-$50 an hour for an independent handyman in rural or less expensive areas and $40-$60 an
hour in more urban locations or regions with a higher cost of living.
These rates are just average estimates, and will vary considerably by
region and by individual worker. Some handymen charge a lump sum for a
specific project, depending on the complexity.Depending on the skills needed, rates run $60-$125 an hour for a professional handyman company. There's often a $150-$350 minimum charge and there can be a $30-$100 "trip"
charge (if the worker needs to go buy materials). A professional
handyman company usually has several employees, providing a wider range
of skills, and screens employees for experience and reliability.The
hourly charge of $59 and $15 fall well within and actually under these
price ranges as Blue Bear is not an independent handyman but a handyman
company.Specifically in regard to the Window latch work order,
the technician logged 4 hours of labor and $35.77 for parts. A trip
charge was applied as well. The total based on that should have been
$286.77. The 4 hours included driving to the home to investigate the
issue and to see what supplies were needed, driving to the store to get
the parts and then driving back to the home and making the repairs. The
technician reported getting caught in traffic so in good faith a full
hour was removed when billing. That brought the bill to the $227.77
amount. Specifically in regard to the blinds work order. 5 sets
of blinds were installed. The quoted price of $30 per blind included the
labor and trip charge. This should have equated to $150 but the bill
did come in at $200. We offered to refund the $50 that it went over the
estimate by. The owner did not accept this solution. By the owners
admission, he is asking for a $150 refund from the $200 charge and thus
wants to only be charged $50 to have 5 sets of blinds installed. His
stated cost for the blinds is $8. At $8 per blind that would only leave
$10 for labor. We charge a minimum of 1 hour and a trip charge so even
at $8 per blind the cost would be $114 and it likely took longer than 1
hour to install 5 sets of blinds. All of this being said we are
willing to offer another resolution and hope that we can finally put
this situation to rest. The refund requested by the owner is $59 for the
window latch work order and $150 for the blinds. We are willing to
refund the $59 for the window latch work order. We are also willing to
refund $86 for the blind work order based on the lowest possible amount
that installing the blinds could have cost, $114. Total refund offered
is $145. I hope that this is agreeable to all parties. ??
Attached is the Invoice for the issue in dispute.