Terms of Service

Thank you for contacting The Ernest Carpenter for your project.  In hiring us to complete your work, you are supporting a couple-owned and operated small business, and we really appreciate the opportunity!  

For examples of our work please navigate this site, as well as Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.  

Work Hours. All contracted work will be performed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MST,  Monday through Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., unless the home is not owner occupied and the contractor is able to work earlier or later. Some work is performed off site. 

Insured. We are insured with a Liability policy of $300,000.  If the work requires a licensed trade, such as a plumber, electrician, or HVAC technician to complete the work, the client will receive a separate BID from the trade, and will pay them directly for their services.  Each trade is responsible for obtaining a permit, if that is necessary, and will provide their own insurance based on their individual trade.

Warranty.  We offer a limited warranty on workmanship. Materials are ONLY covered under the manufacturer's warranty and not all materials have a warranty. The Ernest Carpenter will NOT be responsible for failure of said product. 

For unoccupied properties: Lock-Box. The Ernest Carpenter will install a lock-box on the front door for access to the site for projects that require it. No work can start until a key has been put in lock-box, or usage of keypad thru garage or front door is given.  This is only for non-owner occupied projects.  Access for Owner Occupied projects will be discussed. 

Read Carefully.  Please read your BID carefully to ensure that everything discussed is addressed in the Scope of Work, and  is included in the written contract.  If there was verbal conversation between the homeowner and The Ernest Carpenter, and something was overlooked, it must be addressed in writing prior to the start of the project to avoid any misunderstanding.  Ernest will not usually have the bid in front of him, so it is the homeowners responsibility to communicate via email if we have add-ons, as additional labor and material costs will generally apply, especially if we have have an entire change of scope. Please email us at The Ernest Carpenter to request changes to the BID in writing.  

Clean up.  Please be sure to clean up the space we will be working.  If we have to clean the space prior to commencing work, we will charge a separate cleaning fee that will be determined based on the extent of the clean needed.  Please try to ensure the space we are working is clean and free of personal items prior to work commencement.  We try to keep a clean job site, and will clean up after ourselves.  Construction is messy however, and while we do our best, it is recommended to schedule a whole house clean and replace air filters after work is complete, as construction is very dusty.

Demoed Materials. In most cases the homeowner shall be responsible for disposal of demoed materials; for smaller jobs a job bag (Bagster) or two is generally sufficient. For larger jobs, rental of a dumpster is recommended.   

Debris Removal.  The amount of debris generated by the project is dependent on the size of the job.  Smaller jobs only require contractors bags, medium size projects need a Waste Management Bagster, and large project needs a dumpster.  We will provide contractor bags, but YOU are responsible for obtaining the Waste Management Bags, or for renting a dumpster.    We will move all the materials outside and break them down to fit into the Waste Management Bagsters, or dumpster.  We can pick up the Bagsters from Lowes or Home Depot, if requested, but if the job requires a dumpster it is the homeowners responsibility to order and have delivered.  Usually for small remodel jobs a Bagster is sufficient.  Once filled you just call Waste Management and they will schedule a pick up.  They hook the bag to a crane and lift it right into the truck.  Be sure to check in with your HOA and ask the pertinent questions about the collection of trash for a large project.  Most have a set of rule they expect you to abide by, please be sure to advise us of this information.  Liability and costs will be the responsibility of the homeowner if the Bagster or dumpster is placed incorrectly, and must be removed, or emptied early. 

If you DO NOT have either option this onsite, we will assume you want us to haul off the debris, and we will charge a fee starting at $150 for the debris removal per load. 

Children/Pets.  Children and pets must be secured and kept out of our way during the time The Ernest Carpenter is on the job site for the safety of your children, pets and us.   We are using tools that can be dangerous and which can cause bodily harm, including death.  Please be sure to schedule your tasks to keep your children and pets safe and out of harm's way.  Please kennel your pets, or secure in a location that prevents them from leaving the premises and out of our way.  Please be sure that children and pets are kept out of the space we are working.  Damage done to work that is in progress, and that has to be fixed as a result of children or pets, will be charged as an additional hourly fee.  If your pet harms us, or causes harm by being underfoot, we reserve the right to take any action needed including filing a claim with your home-owners insurance for damages. 

Personal Belongings. All personal belongings must be removed from the space.  The contractor will not take responsibility for damage to personal property that is kept in the space.  We will take measures to try to ensure property is covered, but there is no guarantee.  We recommend renting a PODS or a U-haul to keep your items safe, and give us a proper working area.  We will not conduct work in areas that have not been cleared, and cleaned, if necessary, prior to commencement of work. If we are required to move furniture an additional fee may apply. 

Garage/Driveway. During the course of construction a portion of your garage may be needed to store material / make cuts etc.  Please understand that if we use the garage to make cuts, it will create sawdust, which is messy, so projects are best kept to the driveway, during times and days that are feasible.  During the fall and winter months, weather will determine what days we can work.

Tools.  For larger projects that extend past a week, we may store our tools at the job site for the course of the project.  Please designate an area for the storage of tools during the duration of the project.  The garage is usually the best location. We do not authorize the client to use our tools for their own personal use while stored on site.  We will not be held responsible for injury or damage caused by unauthorized use of any tools stored on site.  Please use safety precautions to prevent injury and keep children and pets away from the tool storage area and any tool that could cause injury.  

Scaffolding.  If we are using scaffolding for your projects,  please use safety precautions to prevent injury.  Keep children and pets away.  We do not authorize the client or their children to climb on the scaffolding, or otherwise use the scaffolding while on site for their own use.  We will not be held responsible for injury or damage caused by unauthorized use of the scaffolding equipment.

Demo. Demolition is messy and creates a lot of invisible dust that moves about the house.  We try to mitigate the mess as much as possible, but unfortunately the process is unavoidably messy.  Be prepared to give your house a good dusting afterwards.  We will move all the materials outside and break them down to fit into the Waste Management Bagsters, or dumpster.  We can pick up the Bagsters from Lowes or Home Depot, if requested, but if the job requires a dumpster it is the homeowners responsibility to order and have delivered.  Usually for small renovation jobs a Bagster is sufficient.  Once filled you just call Waste Management and they will schedule a pick up.  They hook the bag to a crane and lift it right into the truck.  

Caution: As a handyman company, we will use products that are hazardous to health.  Please be sure to supply adequate ventilation in those cases.  These products include, but are not limited to, Paint, Stain, Paint Stripper, Bondo, Caulk, Glue, cleaning products, etc.  Exposure to these fumes can be harmful to your health. This can include: irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat; headache; feeling dizzy or light-headed; nausea; trouble breathing.  Typically, it is best to wait for the paint to dry and the fumes to subside to reenter the space, and many products will continue to degass for an extended amount of time. Enter with caution and at your own risk. It is advised to open up windows to allow the fumes to dissipate. People with breathing conditions and elderly people should avoid long exposure to fumes that result from interior painting.

Material Costs. Materials cost is not factored into the bid.   We can however provided a material purchase list for the products we recommend for the project as a part of this bid. The homeowner is responsible for the cost of materials used in the Work. 

When we do the shopping for the client we will charge for our time at our normal hourly rate.  The pickup and delivery of materials will be factored into our hourly rate, if we are charging by the hour.   If we are charging by the project, then a pickup/delivery fee will be added. 

When the Client does the shopping, the Client warrants that the materials purchased are new.  If not new, the client understands that there are inherent risks in installing, or attempting to install a product that is/or has been used previously, especially when it comes to light fixtures or plumbing, and we take no responsibility to their failure, or damage that results from their failure, nor will we warranty the work. We cannot install drywall that was not purchased new by us. 

Homeowner shall reimburse contractor for materials purchased, if the contractor requires materials for the project.  The homeowner will reimburse the contractor for any materials purchased for the project, if the contractor makes purchases on behalf of the client.   The contractor will give the client a list of recommended materials, keeping both budget, and quality in mind.  From time to time, if the project is something we can use in the future, we may absorb the cost, however, if we know the product will expire, or become useless we will charge for the full amount even if all the product wasn't used.  

Often the cost of materials will exceed the estimated downpayment, but from time-to-time the cost is under.  Please don't sent payment based on the estimated bid, rather wait for the final invoice with itemized costs.  We will email as soon as possible upon completion of the project.  Payment is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice.

Material Purchases/Obtainment:

Obtainment and the purchase of materials can be handled in the following manner.  Please indicate which option you would like.  

(1) The contractor will give the homeowner a list of recommended purchases. The homeowner makes the purchases, and picks up materials or has them delivered to the job-site.  The client is 100% responsible for ensuring the materials are onsite prior to the job starting.  

(2)  The contractor will do the shopping for the client and deliver to the job-site, and if the cost of materials is less than $25, we will use the down payment for purchase, however, if the materials cost exceeds $25, an additional materials down payment will be collected based on the estimated amount for the materials necessary for the project. A shopping trip/delivery fee will apply. Additional fees may apply.  

Hourly Booking Requirements.  To book time with us, we require a downpayment. The downpayment for hourly bookings is non-refundable. It holds your place on our calendar. Receipt of downpayment constitutes and/or scheduling a start date constitutes acceptance of bid and terms of service.  The downpayment does not include your materials escrow, which may be required in addition if your material costs are expected to be larger than $25. 

For smaller projects, we may charge by the project, or by the hour.  If we are charging hourly vs by the job, the hourly charge is per man hour, with a 2 hour minimum per day.   Minimum only includes labor. Material costs not included. 

Time starts differs, and even small projects will use at least two hours of our time. Measure of time is rough, and that time includes; time at the job-site and at our office, and home improvements stores.  Time includes research time both online, and in-store, tracking, materials pick-up, tracking down products at multiple home improvement store locations, creating a design plan, etc. Every project is different and ensuring it’s done properly often involves invisible labor. 

The charge for hourly is rough and should not be used as a precise measure of time, for example, we probably won't charge for a full hour if the time went over by 15 minutes, but we will charge for a full hour if we have about 15 minutes left in the hour or have done, invisible labor.  Each project almost always has some invisible labor involved. Each additional hour is charged at our regular hourly rate, and material and supply costs will be charged on the invoice. 

When we have a large project that is expected to take an extended amount of time, we will generally charge by the project for items listed on the bid. Project payments are split into 2-3 installments, depending on the size of the job. 

Receipt of downpayment constitutes and/or scheduling a start date constitutes acceptance of bid and terms of service.
For large jobs, ⅓ (one-third) is due upon acceptance of bid, and is required to hold your date; 1/3 at the halfway mark, and the rest is due upon completion of the project.  The downpayment does not include your materials escrow.  Larger jobs are charged by the project. A larger job is a project that would require us to book out our calendar for an extended amount of time.  

Additionally, depending on the size we require that the remaining 2/3 of the remaining estimated payment for labor is made, with an additional down payment for materials, to be placed in an escrow account at your expense, paid directly to the escrow holding company of which will receive the Bid, and Info and Terms letter.  Projects that are charged by the job are still considered an estimate.  Add-ons will be charged at our regular hourly cost for any item not covered in the bid. Additional downpayment for add-ons may be required for both labor and material costs. 

Payment is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice.   Job completion means, the space is ready for its intended use, even if some minor tasks or warranty items remain, and any remaining work or defects are relatively minor.    

Contractor accepts Venmo, Cash, or Zelle.   We also accept credit cards on our website with a convenience fee added to cost.  We will no longer accept checks - with exceptions made for existing long-standing clients. 

Note: To help cover the cost of processing a credit or charge card transaction, and pursuant to section 5-2-212, Colorado Revised Statutes, a business may impose a processing surcharge in an amount not to exceed 2% of the total payment made for goods or services purchased or leased by use of a credit or charge card. The Ernest Carpenter shall not impose a processing surcharge on payments made by use of cash, a check, or a debit card or redemption of a gift card. The cost will be listed as a separate cost, and will only apply if you pay using our website.

Late fee in the amount of 5% of the total cost owed will apply to payments not received within 3 days.  Contractor reserves the right to file a mechanics lien if payment is not received.  There may be some small warranty items to address after completion, which is common.