Service Company's in TV

[Michael G.]

Ever notice the number of services companies in the villages that are driving around any given day?
Landscaping, plumbers, electricians, roofers, building supply, driveway repair, golfcart repair, heating and cooling vans, furniture trucks, window installers etc. etc.

I know TV has many homes, but wow.

If one needs any of these services and looking for reasonable prices and quality work, which one should you choose??

There are tons of horror stories to read on all the "rip-offs" that take advantage of seniors.

[JGVillages]

Ever notice the number of services companies in the villages that are driving around any given day?
Landscaping, plumbers, electricians, roofers, building supply, driveway repair, golfcart repair, heating and cooling vans, furniture trucks, window installers etc. etc.

I know TV has many homes, but wow.

If one needs any of these services and looking for reasonable prices and quality work, which one should you choose??

There are tons of horror stories to read on all the "rip-offs" that take advantage of seniors.

Search on TOTV and Nextdoor for recommendations on the best. When I’m reading daily I make note of recommended vendors for potential future use.

[dewilson58]

Search on TOTV and Nextdoor for recommendations on the best. When I’m reading daily I make note of recommended vendors for potential future use.

& ask neighbors, golfing buddies, line dancing partners, club members.

[Two Bills]

I have always liked to have to wait, (in non-emergency situations) as it means the trades person is busy, popular, and usually good.
Anyone who can start a job tomorrow is usually not any of those things.
I know! I know! There are special cases, but I bet I am right the majority of time!

[njbchbum]

Ever notice the number of services companies in the villages that are driving around any given day?
Landscaping, plumbers, electricians, roofers, building supply, driveway repair, golfcart repair, heating and cooling vans, furniture trucks, window installers etc. etc.

I know TV has many homes, but wow.

If one needs any of these services and looking for reasonable prices and quality work, which one should you choose??

There are tons of horror stories to read on all the "rip-offs" that take advantage of seniors.

And the best way to investigate those"tons of horror stories" and "rip-offs that take advantage of seniors" is to contact Seniors vs Crime before calling anyone for estimates and time frames.

Project Offices - Seniors Vs Crime (http://www.seniorsvscrime.com/locations)

[Michael G.]

I did hear now most service Co's. charge for estimates, little free ones left anymore.
With gas prices for those trucks, most little outfits need that guaranteed $$$$.

My son filled up his '20 Toyota Tundra at Sam's and stop @ $80.00 and it wasn't completely full.

[MrFlorida]

Word of mouth is usually the best reference.

[dewilson58]

I did hear now most service Co's. charge for estimates,

I call: Fiction.

[Two Bills]

I did hear now most service Co's. charge for estimates, little free ones left anymore.
With gas prices for those trucks, most little outfits need that guaranteed $$$$.

My son filled up his '20 Toyota Tundra at Sam's and stop @ $80.00 and it wasn't completely full.

That would be sufficient for me to dismiss them out of hand.
Pay for an estimate????:ohdear:

[EdFNJ]

I call: Fiction. The first service company (plumber) I called the week when we moved in here 4 years ago said before they were dispatched "there is a minimum $80 charge for us to come out and see what the problem is". Sounds like an "estimate charge" to me just disguised to look sound something else. Estimate to paint your home or diagnostic to see why your WH is leaking, same thing. If you don't hire them you still have to pay. Their name was on the water heater as they were the original installers. I believe they still do it but not sure which is why I won't post their name but they are one of the "major" players here. I'm sure it happens more than you think.

[retiredguy123]

The first service company (plumber) I called the week when we moved in here 4 years ago said before they were dispatched "there is a minimum $80 charge for us to come out and see what the problem is". Sounds like an "estimate charge" to me just disguised to look sound something else. Estimate to paint your home or diagnostic to see why your WH is leaking, same thing. If you don't hire them you still have to pay. Their name was on the water heater as they were the original installers. I believe they still do it but not sure which is why I won't post their name but they are one of the "major" players here. I'm sure it happens more than you think.
Respectfully, I think you are comparing apples and oranges. I would not pay for a painting estimate. You don't even need to be a painter to prepare an estimate. But, if I had a leaking water heater, I would expect to pay a service charge for a licensed plumber to come to my house to diagnose the problem. The difference is that the plumber is qualified to repair the leak, and may do it immediately. But, the painter (or estimator) is providing a competitive quote for future work.

[dewilson58]

I'm sure it happens more than you think.

I'm sure it's not.

:clap2:

[thevillages2013]

Just pick someone randomly by writing down a number from a truck sign. Make sure there is no contract for service and pay in full up front. Then when things don’t work out start another post on here asking what to do next.

[chappy]

When I moved to the villages in 2012 I,was told service people had to check with the person at the gate showing he was called by a resident and that those trying to sell a service or an item are not permitted in. For some reason they are now getting through so if this happens you can actually go to that guard gate and get the phone number to call to complain. Believe this or not, this is still supposed to be the law.

[Djean1981]

I recently received 2 free estimates for garage floor and lanai floor painting, and 3 free estimates for gutters.

I search the totv site. I write the names down and make a tick mark for each positive mention...

[Papa_lecki]

When I moved to the villages in 2012 I,was told service people had to check with the person at the gate showing he was called by a resident and that those trying to sell a service or an item are not permitted in. For some reason they are now getting through so if this happens you can actually go to that guard gate and get the phone number to call to complain. Believe this or not, this is still supposed to be the law.

What about the entrances that are not manned?

[retiredguy123]

When I moved to the villages in 2012 I,was told service people had to check with the person at the gate showing he was called by a resident and that those trying to sell a service or an item are not permitted in. For some reason they are now getting through so if this happens you can actually go to that guard gate and get the phone number to call to complain. Believe this or not, this is still supposed to be the law.
You were misinformed. Anyone can drive into The Villages residential areas by just pushing the red button at the gate.

[bowlingal]

When I moved to the villages in 2012 I,was told service people had to check with the person at the gate showing he was called by a resident and that those trying to sell a service or an item are not permitted in. For some reason they are now getting through so if this happens you can actually go to that guard gate and get the phone number to call to complain. Believe this or not, this is still supposed to be the law.

Chappy....there is NO LAW about checking in at a guard house....AND not all entrances HAVE a guard house, BUT they all have cameras

[jimkerr]

I’ve found that Facebook groups are the best place to ask for recommendations.

[Cliff Fr]

When I moved to the villages in 2012 I,was told service people had to check with the person at the gate showing he was called by a resident and that those trying to sell a service or an item are not permitted in. For some reason they are now getting through so if this happens you can actually go to that guard gate and get the phone number to call to complain. Believe this or not, this is still supposed to be the law.
How can they keep someone from driving in when it's a public road?

[giorgio1948]

Ask your neighbors ~


Ever notice the number of services companies in the villages that are driving around any given day?
Landscaping, plumbers, electricians, roofers, building supply, driveway repair, golfcart repair, heating and cooling vans, furniture trucks, window installers etc. etc.

I know TV has many homes, but wow.

If one needs any of these services and looking for reasonable prices and quality work, which one should you choose??

There are tons of horror stories to read on all the "rip-offs" that take advantage of seniors.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

I did hear now most service Co's. charge for estimates, little free ones left anymore.
With gas prices for those trucks, most little outfits need that guaranteed $$$$.

My son filled up his '20 Toyota Tundra at Sam's and stop @ $80.00 and it wasn't completely full.

Investment Painting Contractors hasn't "Charged" for an estimate in 55yrs. Len

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

When I moved to the villages in 2012 I,was told service people had to check with the person at the gate showing he was called by a resident and that those trying to sell a service or an item are not permitted in. For some reason they are now getting through so if this happens you can actually go to that guard gate and get the phone number to call to complain. Believe this or not, this is still supposed to be the law. I have absolutely no idea what your talking about and I’m on my 6th home here, starting in 2001

[jimhurtt@twc.com]

Yes I have noticed. They all drive down my street every day.

[airdote22]

You were misinformed. Anyone can drive into The Villages residential areas by just pushing the red button at the gate.

the streets are public!

[EdFNJ]

Respectfully, I think you are comparing apples and oranges. I would not pay for a painting estimate. You don't even need to be a painter to prepare an estimate. But, if I had a leaking water heater, I would expect to pay a service charge for a licensed plumber to come to my house to diagnose the problem. The difference is that the plumber is qualified to repair the leak, and may do it immediately. But, the painter (or estimator) is providing a competitive quote for future work. Sorta but more like bosc pears and bartlett pears. Same church different pew. If the licensed plumber "qualified to do the repair" came to my house and wanted to charge me (give me an estimate of) $425 to clean out a drain and another qualified licensed plumber said it was a $200 job I would then have had to pay the $425 guy $80 for his "ripoff estimate" to tell me I needed to snake the main line which is basically what happened. I told him to f-off even though we were in the middle of moving in. He thought he had me by the gonads because we had 2 pods sitting in the driveway. His ability to fix it had no bearing on me having to pay him a fee to tell me what was wrong and rip me off to fix it because I was just moving in. He "estimated" what he was going to charge me and charged me a fee because I chose not to use him to do so. No different from the guy who gave me an estimate of construction work. Just semantics. Either way it was an estimate of what the job would cost and his $80 was a fee I paid because I chose not to use him. Unfortunately for him his $80 estimate charge got disputed. That was a "welcome to The Villages" moment 4 years ago.

[kkimball]

Unfortunately for him his $80 estimate charge got disputed. That was a "welcome to The Villages" moment 4 years ago.
If the contractor told you it would be $80 to come and look at the problem and you agreed to it and then later disputed the charge then it's not you that got ripped off.

Different contractors have different pricing models and value propositions. Also, two different professionals can look at the same project and come up with different estimates based on their own risk tolerance.

I recently got 3 estimates for some electrical work. The first one came in at about $5,000, the second at $2,000, and the third for $800 from a semi-retired electrician that lives in the next village over. I went with the third and I'm happy with the work; however, it's clear why he was so much less expensive.

[OhioBuckeye]

Ever notice the number of services companies in the villages that are driving around any given day?
Landscaping, plumbers, electricians, roofers, building supply, driveway repair, golfcart repair, heating and cooling vans, furniture trucks, window installers etc. etc.

I know TV has many homes, but wow.

If one needs any of these services and looking for reasonable prices and quality work, which one should you choose??

There are tons of horror stories to read on all the "rip-offs" that take advantage of seniors.

They’re just looking for a fish to reel in. If you hire one, choose wisely!

[MEbner2805]

Ever notice the number of services companies in the villages that are driving around any given day?
Landscaping, plumbers, electricians, roofers, building supply, driveway repair, golfcart repair, heating and cooling vans, furniture trucks, window installers etc. etc.

I know TV has many homes, but wow.

If one needs any of these services and looking for reasonable prices and quality work, which one should you choose??

There are tons of horror stories to read on all the "rip-offs" that take advantage of seniors.

Nextdoor app helps you to choose wisely with lots of reviews and recommendations on the good companies! Just ask tor help on there. Villagers know best and will reply with good and bad experience on there. Talk to your neighbors too!

[Michael G.]

People living in neighborhoods near TV get mad and say we were a bunch of New England fat cats with more money than brains
overpay on everything.
Then those same service Companys try the same BS in the surrounding neighborhoods, then tell them to leave.

Is this true?

[sbussey350]

The people that come out to your house from Mike Scott (for example) don't have to be a licensed plumber. They just have to work under a licensed plumber. For gas repairs/installations they do have to be licensed. It's not like up north.

[Michael G.]

The people that come out to your house from Mike Scott (for example) don't have to be a licensed plumber. They just have to work under a licensed plumber. For gas repairs/installations they do have to be licensed. It's not like up north.

Sooo if they come to your house, does that licensed plumber need to be present,
watch would trigger a service charge??

[Stu from NYC]

Respectfully, I think you are comparing apples and oranges. I would not pay for a painting estimate. You don't even need to be a painter to prepare an estimate. But, if I had a leaking water heater, I would expect to pay a service charge for a licensed plumber to come to my house to diagnose the problem. The difference is that the plumber is qualified to repair the leak, and may do it immediately. But, the painter (or estimator) is providing a competitive quote for future work.

agreed