Some people think that contracting is a nasty, dirty job, and at times it is. The flip side is the people, getting to know them, watching their kids grow up, and becoming an ex officio family member in that I have a key and the alarm code (most times I installed both the locks and the alarm system), the kids will bitch to me about the parents, and the parents bend my ear regarding the children. I worry with them when their kids are away, (one customer’s daughter spent some time in the Middle East and I was greatly relieved when she came home safely).
Today transcended that which I had previously experienced: I’ve been doing things such as computer and telco wiring, a bathroom rehab, and so forth. A leak from the one bathroom caused me to open the basement ceiling to find the leak source, and I had to move property that was likely to be damaged. Leak source identified, and corrective plan agreed upon, I had to ask about the computer monitors I’d moved, as one was a good looking 17" SVGA, and queried if he’d like to sell it, thinking $50 to $75 for a used monitor of that size would be appropriate.
He gave it to me! :eek:
This is a customer who always pays on time, never bounces a check, never questions a quotation, and his kitties follow me around and give me lovin’ if I’m doing inside work. If I’m there at close of day, he’ll pour me a cold beer to drink while he writes my check.
Friends, it doesn’t get better than that in my business. You can bet that this fellow will enjoy a significant break on his bill-I’m looking at the Message Board on this crisp BIG screen! 
