FAQ

Click on the question to view the answer.

1. I need some interior decorating done, can you do that?

I can not personally, but I have a very good friend that I indorse. She has an eye for all the interior decorating needs you may have. Call Linda Butcher at 918-371-5957 .

I have seen Linda's work.Window Treatments, Color Coordinating, Home Accents, Flooring, Art Work and more. I am working on a web page on my site for Linda. She is a good Christian lady and always has a smile. Please do me a favor when you call Linda please let her know that Dr. Brokenhouse sent you.

2. Do you give free estimates?

Yes, I do give free estimates. I will schedule a time after 5:00 P.M. on week days and not after 5:00pm on Fridays, to come and visit with you at the job site. I will spend around one (1) hour with you going over the items you want me to give an estimate on. Please understand I am there to give you an estimate and not to consult. (See question 3 for consulting.)

It would be very helpful to write down all the items in a to-do format so when I get there we can go over them. This way nothing will be forgotten.

When I am done then I will give you a summarized estimate for the job you want me to do. If you want a complete copy of the itemized estimate then I will sale it to you. You may do with it as you please. If you hire me I will credit 100% of that amount back to you. Estimate price depends on the amount of time spent to build a materials list.

Please click here and request an estimate. 

3. Will you consult with me on what I need done?

Yes, I will consult with you. Please understand there is a difference between consulting and giving you an estimate. So if you want me to pick out colors, Subjest a building styles or tell you how to build it, then I have a consulting fee. The same goes for making drawings and meetings with the Home Owner's Associations and etc.

Consulting fee*......................................$65.00 per hour
Drawing fee............................................$65.00 per hour 
Meeting fee............................................$65.00 per hour

* Includes but not limited to research at any level; Permit office, Library, Building Engineer, etc.

4. I understand you are a Fire Fighter. What is your working schedule?

I work for the City of Broken Arrow Fire Department as a full time Fire Fighter. My work schedule is from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 A.M. the next morning. I work a 24 hours and I am off for 48 hours. It is in these 48 hours that I work on repairing and remodeling houses. My fire fighting duties take Precedence over Dr. Brokenhouse and I will do my best to let you know as early as possible of any pertinent information and changes.

If you would like to view a calendar of my Fire Department work schedule please click here .

5. Do you ask for a down payment up front?

It really depends on the job. On many small jobs I normally do not need a down payment. Please understand I am a single employee business and I work on a part time bases. Therefore I do not have a large working capital. If I can't purchase an item that you are requesting for the job or the material is more than my working capital can handle. I will make an arrangement with you about the money needed to proceed with your job.

6. Do you have a contract?

Yes I have a contract. Sometimes just a verbal agreement is good enough and I will not require a contact. If you give me any money then I will print up a contract for us to sign. We will go over the contract and I will answer any questions you may have. If you feel changes need to be made then we will discuss them. My goal is to make you to feel assured and at ease with Dr. Brokenhouse.

7. If I can not afford the job all up front, will you take payments?

No. I do apologize. I have a PayPal account and you can use your credit card or go to quickinloans.com or some other home equity loan .com company and see if you can get a home improvement loan. I do not have any agreements with any of the .com's and I am only subjecting them to get you started. Below is a list of a few I found on a search.
Quicken loans
MSN money loans
Ditech
Yahoo search for home equity loans

8. How do you estimate a price for the work I need done?

I figure out each job on an hourly rate. My goal is to get the job cost as close as possible to what I would invoice when the job is finished. Each job is different and methods change. My estimate is a ballpark amount and not set in stone. If the job goes over the estimated amount then that is the cost. It also works the same the other way. If the is job cost is lower than the estimated amount then that is what you pay. My goal is to be trust worthy and fair so you will always call me back. This has worked for over 6 years and I have many repeat customers.

9. How many jobs do have going at one time?

I would say about 98% of all my jobs have been one after another. I have been known to start a second job while waiting on something on the first job to work out. For instance, maybe I'm waiting on drywall mud or paint to dry. Most generally it is something I can not control. My policy is to work one job at a time, from start to finish.

10. What kind of insurance do you have?

I carry a General Liability Insurance Policy that is renewed annually. I also have Workman's Compensation for my employees when I need them.

If you would like a copy of the Certificate of Liability Insurance mailed to you from my insurance company, please click here and request a Certificate of Liability Insurance.

11. Do you have a minimum charge on your service calls?

Yes, I have a $75.00 one (1) hour minimum charge plus 3 gallons of fuel. I tried not to implement this policy but after several $20.00 runs to fix small items it was not cost efficient. I do apologize and I simply request that you hire Dr. Brokenhouse for more that one (2) hour.

12. What kind of work can Dr. Brokenhouse do for me?

I am able to build a house. So I am able to do many kinds of things. If I can't do what you are requesting then I will let you know. I have a list of some of the stuff I can do on my web site, click here to view that list.

13. Where did you learn to work on houses?

I worked for a remodeling company call BCD Construction. I worked almost five (5) years under the close guidance of BC Dailey and his son Barrette. We remodeled several homes and build new structures. We install partition walls and removed walls. We built single and multilevel decks. We once built a gazebo that was twenty (20) feet across the base and stood nearly twenty-five (25) feet tall. I have converted my attic, added four hundred (400) square feet to my house. The list goes on. I am always learning new tricks of the trade. 

If you have not already seen my photo gallery, then click here to view before, during and after photos of job I have done since May 2001.

14. If I can't afford all the work at one time will you do it in stages?

Yes. I have no problem working in stages.

15. I don't exactly know what I want will you design it for me?

Yes I can design what ever your want in most cases. I had a customer that wanted a desk that was adjustable from thirty-two (32) inches to thirty-nine (39) inches. I used a chain drive system that utilized a geared motor that had limiting switches to stop it at the predetermined height settings. I do charge a design fee and give a free estimate from my designs. If I make drawing(s), I will sell the drawing to you. Then you may take the drawing and do anything you wish with them. However, If you choose to use Dr. Brokenhouse on the job I will credit one half (1/2) of the drawing fees back to you.

If you have not already seen the desk in my photo gallery, then click here to view the desk.

16. Do I need some kind of a permit to make repairs on my house?

Not if you are making simple repairs. However, if you are look at a major addition to you home then you will need a permit. The permits are a check and balance system to protect the public's health and safety. I contract with some exceptions that the home owner is responsible for any and all permits.

All permits and permit information is handled at the City or County Government Office in your town. I do not keep up with the ever changing city web sites. So if a link fauls to work, I appoligize now.

For Tulsa click here.
For Bixby click here.
For Jenks click here.
For Catoosa click here.
For Broken Arrow click here.
For Sand Springs click here.
For Sapulpa click here.

17. What happens if you run into a problem on my job?

I will stop what I am doing and discuss the matter with you. I try to always inform my customer that I didn't build their house and there could be a water buffalo in the wall and it has to come out. Yea, I know that sound stupid. Nevertheless, the problem is in my way and has to be dealt with. I don't take into account for these problems when working up the estimate. So the cost of the job will more than likely increase the total cost of the job

18. Are you a handyman or what?

I really dislike the title of Handyman. The word handyman just sounds so inexperienced to me. I'm not someone that dilly-dallies with your house. Which if I might add is your MOST EXPENSIVE INVESTMENT. I like the term Craftsman, it better describes my abilities. I have over 20 years of experience in remodeling homes. This means you can be assured that I know what I am doing. If I don't know I will tell you, "I don't know."

19. I didn't see an answer to a question I have, where do I go?

    Please click here and ask your question and I will get back to you a soon as possible.

20. I don't live in Tulsa, do you have a travel charge?

I will travle 25 miles from 1st and Main in downtown Tulsa and upto 75 miles for a fee of 3 gallons of fuel per day.
Please click here to veiw a map of these areas. In the yellow area t here is an additional charge of $2.00 per mile one way.

 

home

Call the doctor that makes house calls.

(918) 637-1609