An Unwelcoming Welcome Committee!

As a full service general contractor, we address many different needs on any given project: windows, doors, flooring, plumbing, electrical, drywall, painting, cabinets, etc. No matter what the project, residential or commercial, we pride ourselves on great communication with our clients. All aspects of the project are discussed at length to include access, timing of the project, and the overall schedule so that the client is well informed about what to expect while our team of seasoned craftsmen address their needs.

It was a Monday morning and our team was headed to a residential project for a local police officer to replace the living room carpet and paint the common living space. On the prior Friday, the project manager had a meeting with this client onsite, provided a lock box for the house key, explained that the crew would be showing up at 8 a.m. on Monday, and discussed what contents would need to be moved over the weekend. Everything was ready to go. Arriving about 7:45 a.m., the crew gathered up their tools, had the last sips of coffee and approached the front door at 8. Now it is company policy, regardless if we have a key or access code, that the job foreman will ring the door bell, knock on the door, and wait several minutes before entering to give residents the heads up that the crew is coming into the residence.

After several minutes with no response, the job foreman used the key, unlocked the front door, and went inside with the crew to begin preparations for the day’s project. The carpenters proceeded to move the last few larger pieces of furniture to begin the removal of the existing carpeting and the painters started with some wall repairs in preparation for painting. The crew was working away for about 10 – 15 minutes, when out of the back bedroom came a very large dog and the homeowner with a gun drawn. Keep in mind, the client is a local county police officer, so he knows how to use the gun. The entire team was shaking in their boots. The client even startled himself once he realized in was the carpenters and painters onsite to work on his house – the work he had agreed to and schedule for this particular Monday morning. The client’s schedule was changed over the weekend to the night shift, he had worked a long shift the day before and apparently was sound asleep when the crew knocked and rang the door bell. It wasn’t until our crew making noise in the living room woke up the dog that woke up the client that caused the not so welcoming greeting. The job foreman was at a loss for words and the client was embarrassed and extremely apologetic. A change in schedule and a very heavy sleeper brought on this “duel at dawn”. The team kept their heads on straight and the client went out to get coffee and donuts for the crew as a peace offering. Our team of carpenters and painters can make all your home renovations a reality. Just know we are there for your old carpet, not your contents!

Until the next story of the “Wild West” Adventures of Wheeler Painting and Restoration Services, be well and do good.