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9Hammers has it nailed

March 5, 2010 12:36 am

BY RICHARD AMRHINE

For Nicole and Henry Normand, it was the master bathroom that needed work. They've lived in Edinburgh subdivision in Spotsylvania County since 2001, in a house built in 1989.

"Twenty-one years. The bathroom was very '80s-looking," said Nicole Normand, adding that there was also a chronic mystery leak that was leaving a spot on the ceiling below. "It was time to do it."

Like many homeowners, the Normands were aware of the horror stories. The contractor took forever. Maybe he even disappeared mid-job--with the homeowner's good-faith cash advance. Or he got the job done, but the quality of the work was just, well, substandard.

So rather than roll the dice on a contractor, they called Ray Milano at 9Hammers Home Improvement. Milano is a self-described "jack-of-all-trades" contractor who started 9Hammers to provide a referral service that a homeowner could call to find a skilled and trustworthy contractor.

"We do the homework that a lot of homeowners won't do," said Milano. "We do the background checks. We make sure they're properly licensed. We call the references. We know what permits and inspections are needed. We know what to look for in a contractor. The homework is already done."

He has a core network of nine contractors, including himself, who have done the lion's share of their work in the Fredericksburg area. All the bases are covered--plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, tile, roofing. They have nearly 200 years of experience among them.

Better still, they've worked with one another long enough to know that they share certain qualities. They're local, they're known, they're going to be around and, most importantly, they have reputations in the community to protect.

Additional contractors brought in to participate in the network are similarly vetted.

As one might expect, the economy has not been kind to these guys. But they've stuck with it because this is what they do and they love doing it. As the saying goes: Somebody's always looking for a good contractor. Just not as frequently these days.

"Sometimes homeowners make bad decisions," said Milano, like hiring a contractor based solely on price, when spending a few extra dollars would have provided a finished product they would be happy with. "There are some guys out there who really don't know what they're doing."

And that tends to give all contractors a bad name, when so many are actually trustworthy tradesmen.

HOMEOWNER'S VIEW

Nicole Normand liked the idea that by going through 9Hammers, there would be specialized contractors doing the work, all of them cleared by Milano. A thorough bathroom remodel will require a plumber, an electrician, a carpenter and tile specialist. And don't forget someone with design expertise who can pull it all together, one who can recommend a decor that will still look current tomorrow.

Crystal Milano said she chose tiles, fixtures and colors that would satisfy Nicole Normand's desire for an "old-world feeling" in the bathroom. The choices include large, neutral ceramic tile, and increasingly popular oiled bronze fixtures.

Normand said the bathroom may still be a work in progress, but given what she's seen so far, she'll continue to call on 9Hammers as she and her husband proceed with other remodeling projects.

A NEW SEASON

Contractors across the area are hoping springtime will bring forth homeowners ready to make improvements. This has been one of those rare winters that has kept the family indoors day after day. If you were at all unhappy with your kitchen, or thought it would be nice to have a finished basement for the kids to play in, by now the time might really be right.

Manfred Slack, a master electrician who has seen business dwindle during the downturn, said he's tried to do what he can to put his company, Accurate Electric, out there for all to see. He's advertised more, added a presence on the Internet and even tried getting on national contractor referral networks. The national referrals generally led to disappointment.

"I'd get a call for a remodeling job, and it turned out the homeowner wanted a new dining room light switch. Seven times out of 10 it wouldn't be the job I'd expected," he said. "With Ray, I'll know exactly what the job is going to be every time."

Slack said that's one of the advantages of being part of a local operation. A homeowner might not be aware of it, but even if someone is a master electrician, there's no guarantee he'll do masterful work. But since Milano has associated himself only with reputable contractors, that difficult part of the homeowner's homework is done for them as well.

Richard Amrhine: 540/374-5406
Email: ramrhine@freelancestar.com