in : News and Events
Last year, we completed a full exterior renovation project in the charming heart of South Surrey. We're talking the works—new fascia boards, Hardie shake and lap siding, soffits, fresh paint—the kind of glow-up that makes neighbors peek over their fences with curiosity (and mild envy).
One such neighbor did peek over, struck up a casual conversation with one of our crew, and innocently asked, "What kind of exterior work do you guys do?"
Without skipping a beat, one of our guys replied with great confidence and zero legal foresight:
"All types."
Just two little words… but oh, how those words would come back to grip us tighter than a caulking gun on a cold day.
Fast forward to this summer: That same neighbor came knocking. He remembered "all types" and had two very specific "types" of work in mind—ridge cap replacement on his roof, and an extra downspout pipe on his gutter. We gently explained that those aren't jobs we typically take on unless they're part of a bigger reno project. We even tried to refer him to some roofing pros.
But he wasn't having it.
He said he loved the work we did on his neighbor's house, praised the craftsmanship, and was insistent—almost lovingly insistent—that we were the only ones he wanted. We tried one last defense: "Are you sure one of us told you that?"
Then he dropped the clincher:
"It was the guy with the big lumberjack beard… looked like Paul Bunyan in a red plaid shirt."
Game over. We knew exactly who that was! (See above)
So… there we were, reluctantly back on a roof, replacing 30 ridge cap shingles in what appeared to be a high-traffic hangout for birds looking for romance. We also installed a new downspout to deal with the clogged gutter—courtesy of a giant Norwegian maple tree that apparently believes in aggressive leaf-shedding.
We did the job, kept our word, and thought that was the end of it. But plot twist: the neighbor was so happy, he told us he's planning a major renovation soon—and we're first in line for it.
So yes, we were trapped by a rogue beard and a vague promise…
But hey, in the end, honoring your word = winning new work.
Lesson learned: Be careful what you promise—but always back it up with good work. You never know who's watching… or taking notes… or sketching your beard from memory.
