MY Story

OK here it is.  I am going to tell my horror story involving a contractor so you can see where my passion for reliability, good faith, and plain old common decency come from in regards to DME.  In total honesty I still have a strong negative reaction while recalling the events. A sick feeling in my stomach.  If you are feeling the same thing just thinking about a situation you have had in the past then you know where I'm coming from. 

I had an investment property I was going to flip about an hour outside of the city.  Rates were at historic lows and so was inventory.  I was looking to make a 100% return on my investment if not more.  My contractor was actually amazing and did multiple jobs for me for years.  We had a good relationship and I totally trusted them.  I paid them early when they needed, gave them room to work without being all over them, and allowed them to use their creativity with the projects we did together. Everything was great and this deal was sizing up to be absolutely perfect.  After a handful of months the project was "finished." After inspecting the finished product I paid them in full and couldn't wait to test the market.  My realtor (who is an absolute beast) called me to ask a question for the sellers disclosure - the document where we describe the work that was done. I didn't know the answer so she called the contractor to find out.  A few minutes later she called me and was obviously taken aback.  "What's wrong?" I asked.  She proceeded to tell me that there was no septic and no running water.  See, when you get an hour outside of the city you have some houses/neighborhoods with septic tanks instead of public sewers, and well water instead of public.  My contractor never took care of either and left me with a house that couldn't be sold. (Quick question: How can plans for a rehab be approved if there is nothing in place for water and sewer?)  Definitely one of the worst feelings I've ever had. 

My realtor and I didn't waste time lamenting because we knew the clock was ticking.  As I said before my realtor is a beast.  I was unfamiliar with the area and did what I could but she was all over it - reaching out to septic and water companies, trying to get these issues resolved.  Unfortunately it was busy season and almost every company was booked for the rest of the year!  The township came out to survey the land for permits and not only was property line in the township paperwork wrong, but the ground had been packed down so much by the machinery that it was not permeable enough and was labeled an environmental hazard. I spent the next ten months waiting for the government to work out the issue.  Correspondence came about once a month due to the workload of the agency and they were in no hurry to expedite things.  I watched as rates slowly but continuously rose and my profit margin evaporated. My realtor found a septic company ready to go once the government signed off.  Luckily, instead of needing to start from scratch and have all new plans drawn for the project, a clause recently passed made me exempt from needing to do that and I could proceed.

Even after this point there were countless issues that all cost time and money.  The guys who came to finish the work that needed to be done to sell the house couldn't believe my story.  I ended up making settlement the NIGHT BEFORE the buyers loan agreement with the bank expired.  At this point I had spent thousands of dollars to pay for multiple extensions to their rate-locked loan and this was the final time the bank would allow it.  Rates had jumped so much that they wouldn't have been  able to afford the house at the newly adjusted rates.  I was hours away from total devastation with the project. 

I learned a lot about myself and others during this process.  My biggest lessons were that I can never truly trust anybody to do things when I want and the way I want - it's hard enough to get people to do what THEY say their going to do when THEY say the are going to do it! I also learned that when my back is against the wall I NEVER give up.  I will do whatever it takes (within the law) to get the job done. Even more than that I learned that the best way to run my business is for me to do absolutely everything I possibly can, hands on, and leave as little as possible for others who may not operate the same way.  It's my vision which puts me in the best position to do things how I need them to be done.  That being said, when I come across like minded people with a similar drive and mission as myself I add those people to my team. Fortunately I have many on my team who I know I can work with and get things done the right way.

Now I get to my main point for starting DME Construction.  Way to often we come across people who may talk a good game or may seem reliable but end up being just another disappointment and cause us headache and sometimes heartache as well.  How hard can it be to be honest, do a good job, and consider those who use your services by putting their needs first? Or more plainly, do business by implementing the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Since I practice this is in all aspects of my life, I decided to be there for others who have horror stories of their own and just want to be treated with decency.  I was intent on focusing my services on my own investments only but decided to broaden my scope and take a shot at delivering to others what I have been craving so badly.  Quality work at a good price, professionalism, expediency, and most of all RELIABILITY!

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