Eavestrough repairs

[Twan]

Does anyone know of a company in Toronto that does small repair jobs on eavestroughs, specifically replacing a standard aluminum downpipe? I have an old one that's falling off and it's kind of beat up so I'm thinking that it's due for replacement rather than just tightening it up.

I've called a few companies and they either only do new installations, or seem to figure that the job is so small that they need to upsell me on replacing a whole bunch of other stuff ("gee, you should get the 5" downpipe instead, and to do that we'll have to replace the whole side of the house... so that'll be $1000"). I've tried calling some handyman types that advertised in the Guardian, and they haven't returned my calls.

I realize this is a really small job so a lot of companies aren't interested. I'd do it myself but I just don't have the time -- it's been like this since the spring and I haven't been able to get to it. Surely there's a small company or handyman out there who could do it for a reasonable fee?!

[BEM]

Old and standard two words that do not mix well today for any repair sorry to say.

I hope this informs to the reason you and many others are having trouble getting repairs done.

The older down spouts can be real hard to match size and shape wise and matching colour can be impossible even with newer stuff today. A lot of suppliers have left the market. I have repaired thousands of small jobs around homes in the past that today are not even worth getting involved in because the cost of gas and time running around looking for the right part has increased so much and also become so very frustrating . In the end most home owner do not want to pay the costs involved just finding the part. You may be lucky to find someone working on your street at some point that has the parts left over from a job. Better still if a neighbour is having an upgrade done see if you can get hold of the matching parts you need as its only scrap to them and if the installer is asked nicely you may even have the labour force you need right at hand.
Little jobs do not pay the cost of being in business and having the proper insurance coverage and all the other support expenses anymore. I know as I started my business doing just that for seniors and helping to keep the price of home repairs down . I tried to make it a complete one stop service as I repaired everything from the roof down except things involving natural gas and Freon. Even serviced the electronics including the circuit boards in TVs and today computers for past customers. Many senior customers have told me that if it was not for my work they would not be living in there home today and that is one thing I strived to do; help keep seniors in their home just a little bit longer. It gives one good piece of mind at the end of the day.
Good honest experienced contractors want to be paid good money just like a doctor or a lawyer and we all need that today.
It cost me $ 80.00 an hour now to get a good technician as they want to be called today to look at my truck engine and yes they have had to take courses to get their papers but so did I to learn my trades so I have to charge what ever the others are charging me today. Look when I started a pickup truck cost $6000.00; insurance $300.00 and now today $30,000.00 and I will not get into the insurance increases that’s just criminal even for a 5 star driver and it will always be this way as long as the government is in bed with the insurance companies in Ontario. And that not to mentioning all the other insurances involved. I feel sorry for low income earners today as there seems no end in site for increased costs. The middle class is almost gone.

If looking for contractors in the local papers be very careful as I have had to repair a lot of their work. Go for good references from a neighbour that had the same work done. Also look out for so called contractor clubs, groups, associations, they are not all what they seem even ones using words like seniors help, there is even some that sound like they are a government resource and are not. Some of these start out with very good intension but become so overwhelmed with work; that they get sloppy and start hiring bad workers. Usually the good contractor that started it all usually just gets too lost in the paper work and has no longer any contact with the work being performed until its to late. I always say talk to you neighbours you co-workers family and friends people have lost this skill today. You may even find you have a great contractor living right under you nose.

[andyman]

how about a picture Twan (for colour)
is it one story or two
and where about do you live

[Frogy]

Have you checked at Rhona or Home Depot? They may have what you need but they also have a list of local small contractors that they work with.

Good luck.

[Twan]

BEM - you know, that's the best explanation I've received. Thanks for your post.

Home Depot carries the stuff I need to do it. I hadn't asked in-store about people to do it, but when I called their installation services line they told me that they only do complete installs. I was going to give it a shot on Sunday but it started raining. Hopefully the weather will hold up this weekend as I'll actually have some time on Saturday to do it.

[Ogee]

BEM - you know, that's the best explanation I've received. Thanks for your post.

Home Depot carries the stuff I need to do it. I hadn't asked in-store about people to do it, but when I called their installation services line they told me that they only do complete installs. I was going to give it a shot on Sunday but it started raining. Hopefully the weather will hold up this weekend as I'll actually have some time on Saturday to do it.
BE CAREFUL UP THAT LADDER...