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Testimonials
Friday, August 5, 2011 WESTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY’S FAVORITE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER www.bullrunobserver.com Vol. 12 No. 24
Craftmasters couple operates a tight ship for home improvement services By STACY SHAW Observer staff Robert Hummell is proud to be called a Jack-of-all-trades. Hummell, along with his wife, Carissa Blevins, owns and operates Craftmasters Services. The business has grown from his office in Catlett to service Prince William and Fauquier counties as well as the areas beyond. “We’re mostly a handyman service; we do repairs on just about everything. Instead of calling three or four companies, they call us and we’ll do it all,” Hummell said. “That way they just have one visit.” Hummell said his Craftmasters Services is ideal for home remodeling, where one might need to bring in electricians, carpenters, plumbers, roofers, painters or tile installers. Craftmasters does it all. “We’ll finish a basement, redo a bathroom or just go into a house and do a bunch of repairs. I’ll fix a refrigerator, maybe repair a light and do some drywall-install stuff that builds up on a to-do list.” “They’ll call us, because it is economical,” Blevins said. No job is too big or small for Hummell, who began in home improvement and expanded his services to include residential and commercial improvement, installation and repair. “We do a lot of small stuff. We treat all our jobs the same, because our name’s going on it. If we can’t do a small job properly, how can we do a big job?” Hummell wears many hats but started learning his trades from the ground up. “I’ve been doing it since the 1980s, started it from scratch. It’s just continued to grow.” He has increased his skill set as well. “There’s a lot of expertise in working in the house; it has been a learning curve. I’m a certified home inspector, licensed locksmith, journeyman-level electrician and master carpenter, which was my first trade.” Hummell surrounds himself with dedicated employees and contractors. “It’s key having the right people. It all comes down to attitude and desire; that’s something you cannot teach,” he explained. Some employees are hired for their expertise. “I have people who work for me, who have years of experience doing nothing but floors or roofs.” However, new craftspeople will learn to work their way up. “There is no, ‘I’m a tile guy, and that’s all I’m going to do,’” Hummell noted. “You can carry boxes and watch a guy, who is an expert, and learn.” Applying that philosophy, Craftmasters Services has built a network that is both deep and wide. “Because we do handyman work and I cover the entire state of Virginia and Maryland,” Hummell said, he can put his best people on the right jobs. Craftmasters Services is unique in the training it offers. Hummell said training used to be part of the job, but he doesn’t see it offered as often today. Hummell trains and provides continuing education for himself and his employees. “Every year, I take new courses. Half of this business is education, especially now because everything is engineering.” He and his employees must be “able to go to the manufacturer and know what you’re doing.” Hummell works to make sure he and his contractors do the job right - the first time. “A lot of these jobs, done properly, will last a lifetime,” he explained. “You want it to look the way you envisioned.” He wants to make sure that’s the way his jobs are completed. “People save up for it, and they don’t mind spending the money, but they want to get what they paid for. I know when a job’s done it’s going to be done right,” which is why he stands behind his work. Plus, Hummel prides himself on working within people’s budgets. “We don’t need $50,000 to redo a kitchen,” he said, suggesting he can work with people and show them options. Craftmasters Services promises a quality job at a reasonable price, performed quickly and correctly. ©2011 Bull Run Observer All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission. |
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In Catlett
Elk Run Road
Catlett, VA 20119
540.788.1090
Office Hours:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
24-hour emergency service available
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