FAQs and Cancellation Policies

Cancellations for booked work requires clients to reach out via e-mail before the end of a prior business day by 3:00PM. 

Minimum charges for cancelled service appointments start at  2 hours for each booked trade professional. 

For larger projects a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to book the work and guarantee the dates. 25% is due when 3/4 of the work has been completed, with the remaining 25% due upon the completion of the job.

Why should we commit to a Monthly Home Care Maintenance agreement? 

You save money and avoid the headaches and hassles related to dealing with multiple building trades. We have longstanding relationships with these tradesman and a unique shorthand to expedite jobs. By incorporating these trades under Black Squirrel we can help to manage and hold our tradesman/partners accountable to a higher standard of care.

Why should I pay a company to maintain my building or townhouse?

Maintenance pays you back in dividends. By making a commitment to invest in the maintenance of your property you are in essence saving yourself thousands of dollars in potential problems related to issues not normally monitored. We have a detailed monthly & seasonal maintenance checklist, which guarantees all maintenance items will be addressed before there is a catastrophic issue. Examples include: Bursting pipes, Electrical fires, Mold, HVAC critical failure, exhaust blockage leading to permanent damage to a clients dryer. 

Do you engage subcontractors?

Yes, we use subcontractors on a per project basis. With that said, we have critical over-site so there is detailed accountability. 

How do you guarantee "quality work?"

"You get what you pay for". We at Black Squirrel believe in using the right tool for the right job, the best materials, and compensating our employees fairly. 

This lets us stand behind our products and services with confidence. It also demonstrates our commitment to getting the job done right the first time, and maintains a level of quality our customers have come to rely on. 

Do you price match?

Yes, Black Squirrel can price match verified quotes on a case by case basis. 

How can I pay, and what are the terms? 

A 50% non-refundable deposit is due to guarantee/hold the start dates. Depending on the size of the job arrangements for the remaining 50% will be split when 3/4 of the work is completed (25% ) or the remaining balance of 50% will be due on the last day of the job, after a client walkthrough. 

Black Squirrel does not work under NET 30 terms. 

We take all forms of payment including Cash, Check (verified funds), PayPal, Venmo, Chase Quick Pay, and can process (all) credit cards on-site with a 3.5% processing fee. 

Do you work on a retainer?

Yes. Black Squirrel will create payment terms on a client by client basis with a clearly defined scope of work.

How do you estimate jobs/scope of work?

Knowledge and experience are the keys to our accuracy when it comes to estimates. We at Black Squirrel strive to provide our clients with the most accurate estimates. In good faith we can only estimate what we can see. With that said we provide provisions within the estimate to account for any potential change in scope of work.  

Doesn't a change in the scope of work benefit you?

No. Black Squirrel is in the business of providing confident and transparent pricing. Our goal is to estimate the job correctly the first time. Unfortunately we cannot  guarantee the initial scope of work will not increase (in certain circumstances) until we start the work.

Contractors make mistakes. How would you fix a mistake?

Access the issue, and what went wrong. Identify and remedy the problem quickly and efficiently. Take immediate responsibility and ownership over the mistake. Provide transparency, a clear explanation, and follow through with a solution. 

What are On-Site/Off Site Building Management Services?

Black Squirrel assigns an employee to a clients building, and creates an ongoing punch list. Daily tasks are assigned, and for a designated period of time on-site building management is made available. This is a perfect way to have a reliable, accountable, master handymen available to execute a number of projects in an efficient manner. Agreements are available on a monthly basis, or for longer negotiated terms. 

What are Home Detailing Packages?

This is what we refer to a deep clean of the INT/EXT of your property, which includes outstanding punch list items to prepare a property for sale. We work directly with the owner to add the maximum amount of home value to benefit the sale of a potential property. 

How do you control costs?

By providing quotes on a per man, per day, and weekly basis we simplify and provide transparency to our clients. Specialized trades and additional services will be charged at market value. 

Do you provide HVAC services to your clients?

YES! We provide maintenance, troubleshooting, and the complete repair/replacement/installation of HVAC systems. Our team is experienced, trained, and excellent at troubleshooting. As new EPA regulations are going into effect owners of buildings will no longer be able to purchase R22 gas, as it will be discontinued January 1, 2020. We have anticipated this need for our clients, and have solutions to retro-fit some existing systems to account for these new regulations. 

How do you set yourself against other Maintenance companies?

We set ourselves apart from all our competition with transparency, communication, and impeccable follow through. If an issue arises, provided the opportunity, we will fix it. 

Black Squirrels philosophy is to create honest organic relationships with our clients so there is always open communication about any need or concern. We are here to help, educate, and learn what is the best approach to any project.   

Why is it important to have a GC license v.s. a Home Improvement license? 

GC license allows us to build new construction, execute full concrete foundations, and provide complete home renovations with no building restrictions. This keeps the DOB permitting process simple. 

Home Improvement licenses allow renovation companies to legally work on only 30% of a home. There are heavy DOB fines for companies who step outside of the scope of their license. 

Are you OSHA compliant?

Yes, we utilize OSHA certified tools, and ladders in all of our work. We are also in full compliance with NYC DOB. 

How is OT caculated?

After 8hr OT will be charged at 1.5hr per man per hour. 

Do you provide 24/7 Emergency calls? How much does it cost?

Yes, on a per client basis negotiated in monthly maintenance agreements. The Emergency charge starts at $500.00 (and will increase) dependent on the day, time of year, and holiday season. The charge will not be waived or discounted. In addition all Emergency work is billed at 1.5x per man hour, and is specific to trade.  

Do you provide emergency lock services?

Yes, we have pre-negotiated pricing and work with master locksmiths. 

Are you licensed?

YES! We are a fully licensed and insured 

Why choose Black Squirrel?

We are forward thinking, competitive with our rates, and will make an effort to match or beat any other contractors estimate (*at our discretion). If there is a challenge or change order during the discovery process of a project we immediately inform our client of the change in the scope of work. Keeping things clear and simple creates mutual respect on both sides of the fence.

Do you provide a warranties?

Yes. 1 year on parts/labor from the date of any completed project. Longer warranties can be granted if additional measures are taken to justify that kind of extended warranties. 

We are always open to mutually beneficial opportunities to partner with agents, real estate developers, and investors to explore financially lucrative relationships. Please feel free to drop us a line and have a conversation.