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Local Business People And Companies We Know

Who are these people and companies?

None of these are extremely large companies with the exception of Carbonite. I have always preferred the services I receive from smaller outfits anyway.  Like us, I think they try harder.  But if a large company is outstanding in their product and/or customer service, I'll add them.

Do You want to be on this page?

I  want to keep this local, so the owner of the company must live in Allen, Fairview, Lucas, or Parker.  If you do, and you have a business you think might benefit the people living in the area, just send an email to me.  It can be anything from construction  to artistic.  If you have a website, I will provide a link to it and you can sell yourself, your services, or your product.

Please Let us know if you find out something we don't know

If you call one of these companies and find out their contact information has changed or they have gone out of business I would appreciate you letting me know.   I rarely if ever have contact with them, so I wouldn't know.  I'll be making some additions to this site now that it's are back up and running.

Our Disclaimer

We don't get any "freebies", kickbacks, or benefits from posting any of these companies on our site.  We wouldn't accept anything if they offered it to us.  Neither do we charge a fee for them to be here.  We either know these people and have used them ourselves, they live in Fairview, Lucas, and Parker, or they have come highly recommended by someone locally that we know. 

We are not the Better Business Bureau, so we will not check these people out.  You are on your own.  But if you feel the company shouldn't be here, for whatever reason, let me know.  And if you try to contact them and they have gone out of business, please let me know that too so I can keep this list current.

 Our "No Brainer" Stamp of Approval

Accountant (CPA)

•   Patty Watson -  (972)747-8294 - We have worked with Patty for many years.  She is excellent and lives in Allen.  She does our payroll and prepares our corporate and personal returns.  She works seamlessly with our Quickbooks files, which was important to us.   Very responsive and responsible and always pleasant to work with.

Adoption For Dogs

•    (641) 715-3900 Ext 61442  -  http://www.collincountyhumanesociety.org/

These folks are doing fantastic work in rescuing dogs from euthanasia in the shelters, then fostering them until a home can be found for them.  They are my kind of people!!

Appraiser

•   Beaty Appraisal -  (972)727-9184 - If you live on a home with acreage, and your home is in Fairview, Lucas, or Parker, Beaty Appraisal is a good one to keep in mind.  I don't always agree with their opinions of value, but that doesn't mean I am right and they are wrong.  Remember, that's why they are called "opinions of value".  But they do understand this very niche market, they office in Allen and live in Fairview, they will support their opinions with the best information they have available to them, and they will reconsider their opinions if I can provide information to them that they might not have. 

Arborist

•   Rick Zampino - Advance Tree and Shrub - (214) 544-8733 - Their place is on Meandering Way in Fairview.  They not only care for your trees and shrubs, but will also prune, fertilize and maintain them.  They will cut down diseased or unwanted trees.  They also sell firewood by the truck or trailer load (if you load it yourself). 

• Also look under "Hauling" and "Nursery" categories above

Arbors - See "Outdoor Kitchen and Living Areas"

Attorney -

• Michael Pezzulli - See Article

Blinds, Plantation Shutters, Window Treatments

•   Jeff Bishop (The Shutter and Blind Factory) - (214) 415-7266 - Jeff did our entire home in plantation shutters, but he also does blinds and shades.  Builders like Paul Taylor love working with him because of his prices and customer service. They are locally owned and operated in Plano and have been serving the metroplex for many years.  

Cabinetry -  See Remodeling

Carpet

• Mike Furney (Builder's Carpet) - 972-380-1200 extension 107 - They were referred to us by a quality builder who uses them quite a bit. We have never used them, but when this particular builder speaks highly of someone, we take it to heart.

Carpet Cleaning

•   Scott Exler (214)213-7529 - We have known Scott for many years.  He has done work for our clients and us.  Honest and reliable.  He has low overhead so he'll easily beat the large company competition.  He's the guy companies call if they cannot get a stain out.  If he can't get it out, it's not coming out.

Computer Consulting and Repair

•   PC Geeks - See Article

Concrete work  

• Steve Caraway (Caraway Concrete Construction) -  (214)502-2757 Mobile - Not the "cheapest" around nor the most expensive, but he does good work.  We used him on several of our personal jobs.  What's nice is he will even do the smaller jobs that most of the big companies don't want to mess with.  Shows up on time with his workers, gets the job done quickly, and cleans up afterward.  He doesn't do asphalt (nor would I recommend that surface anyway). 

Data Backup and Storage

•   Carbonite -  www.carbonite.com - Hands down, the best value in the market.  For $50 (2007 prices) I can back up my entire hard drive or any part thereof, and save  any changes on a daily basis.  It works silently in the background.  Your computer WILL crash some day and you may very well lose some or all of that info.  If you are like me and tired of making endless copies on flash drives, external backup drives, etc. this is the only way to go.  I was paying an exorbitant price (about $1,000 per year between two computers) for this same service through a competitor before I stumbled onto Carbonite.  It is easy to use, setup, and understand.  I don't know how they do it for the price they are charging, but if ever there was a "no-brainer" this is it. 

Day Labor

•   Jerry Stevens (903) 454-6705 home or (903) 458-0110 cell - He usually can only work on weekends, but keep him in mind for smaller jobs that require some physical labor.  He has a trailer and can haul off trash, old air-conditioning units, trim trees, light demo work, etc.  Going the "day labor" route is also good for this kind of work, but if you don't speak Spanish and don't want to pick the workers up and return them, Jerry is the way to go.  He brings his own lunch and has a car.  We use him ourselves and can tell you first hand that Jerry is a hard worker! 

Decorative Ironwork - See Fencing

Dirt work, brush clearing, or tree removal

•   Scott McCroskey - 214-202-3907 - He has the heavy duty equipment to handle major jobs - He dug one of our tanks to about 30' and hauled the dirt off with dump trucks - He has been doing work in this area for many years and has a good reputation

Dog Adoption - See "Adoption for Dogs"

Drug Store

•   Allen Family Drug - (972) 390-9888 www.familydrugrx.com - Not only do we like and support the "home grown" companies, these guys are great.  It is located in an older building at 400 N. Allen Drive #102, right down the street from the post office.   They have a drive through, but so does everyone else.  We like them because they are friendly and professional.  They do everything every other drug store does, but much more.  This includes tuberculin screening, tetanus shots, flu shots, cholesterol screening, blood pressure monitoring, and they also offer vaccinations and compounding for pharmaceutical and veterinary prescriptions.  We have used them for many years.

Electrician

•   ABR Electric - James Adams - (214) 690-1941- James came highly recommended to us by Pam Matlock, our buyer agent.  We were having a hard time getting an electrician out with a couple of other companies and were told it would be a week before they could make it.  We called James, and he was out the next day.  We immediately liked him and he did an excellent job for us.  I've worked with several electricians, so I know what to expect.  James went the extra mile for us, so he'll be the one we call from now on.

Fencing (Iron, Pipe, Decorative Ironwork)

• Alfredo Ortiz - 469-667-8065 or 469-667-4541 - Click HERE to learn about Alfredo

Floral Arrangements

•   Edwards Floral Arrangements in McKinney - 972-548-9911 Website - We have used them for years for our company.  We always receive compliments on their arrangements and all are one of a kind.

Garage Floor Sealing

•   Premier Garage - Premier Garage.com - We had them seal our garage floors.  Here is a link to an article I wrote about sealing garage floors.

Gates (Iron swinging, sliding, security)

•   Steve and Sherri Reeves (Access Entry Systems) - (972) 699-7503 - Installed our sliding gate many years ago - He knows what he is doing, does good work, and will service the gates after the sale (any gate is going to break down periodically)

Granite

•   Rick Zupa - A&A Marble and Granite -  972-670-7267 - They are located in Sunnyvale.  I liked them for three reasons.  First, they can offer smaller granite and marble pieces (called remnants), not just the large slabs.  You can get a better deal on these pieces because you don't have to buy an entire slab just for a smaller piece like a secondary bathroom counter.  Second, they have plenty of samples to choose from, but it isn't overwhelming.  I have been to some of the huge warehouses with rack after rack of granite and marble slabs, and it was almost overwhelming.  We picked all of our four different types of granite in our home from their lot in about one hour's time.  And third, they spent the time with us without pressuring us to buy quickly.  They are happy to get their forklift and pull the slabs out of the racks so you can get a good look at the entire piece.

Hand Scraped Hardwood Floors - See Hardwood Floors

Hardwood Floors

•   Paul LaJoie - Heritage Hardwoods - 972-562-8610 - They installed our handscraped hardwoods and did a great job for us.  They are members of NOFMA (National Oak Floors Manufacturers of America) and install their floors by their standards.

Hardwood Floor Repairs

•   Scott Exler (214)213-7529 - We have known Scott for many years.  He has done lots of work for our clients and us.  Honest and reliable and I'll bet he'll beat the prices of his competition because he doesn't have all the overhead.  He doesn't really install but does more repairs.

Hauling, trash removal, tree trimming

•   Jerry Stevens (903) 454-6705 home or (903) 458-0110 cell - He usually can only work on weekends, but keep him in mind for smaller jobs that require some physical labor.  He has a trailer and can haul off trash, old air-conditioning units, trim trees, light demo work, etc.  Going the "day labor" route is also good for this kind of work, but if you don't speak Spanish and don't want to pick the workers up and return them, Jerry is the way to go.  He brings his own lunch and has a car.  We use him ourselves and can tell you first hand that Jerry is a hard worker! 

• Also, see Yardwork below

High Speed Internet Access - See Internet Service

Home Theatre Rooms - See Theatre Rooms

Home Inspector

•  Jim Dickey, Dickey Inspection Group - 972-824-4416 - website dickeyinspectiongroup.com ... email info@dickeyinspectiongroup.com - Every single home I sell has an inspection, so I see a LOT of inspection reports ... some good and some bad.  Jim has inspected several homes I've sold in the past, and I've always been impressed with his professionalism.  I like the way Jim re-inspects the homes after the repairs have been completed to make sure my sellers do what they say will do.  That gives me, the listing agent, some peace of mind since I can't do that.  Jim is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors.   I know Pam also recommends him to her clients.  There isn't an inspector alive who can catch every single, minute little item on a home with some years on it, but you should have the confidence your inspector wont miss the big things.  I have that confidence in Jim and would use him to inspect any home I was buying.

Inspector - See Home Inspector

Insulation - Red Oak Insulation - Darrin Crowder 214-802-6883 - darrinscrowder@gmail.com - They came highly recommended to us.  Specialize in high end homes - Here are notes from Darrin ...

•   Number one Demilec volume dealer

• Fullest fill. Tightest seal. Fastest install. Highest quality.

• Lowest Price. Price matches value for our customers.

• Praised workmanship. by toughest veteran energy inspectors

• 100% no hassle customer satisfaction

• 30 years strong

• Demilec,USA- #1 Polyurethane foam manufacturer worldwide -Made in USA -Sealection 500 only ICC approved fire safe in attics -Sealection 500 lowest smoke development in testing -Proven independent lab performance testing

Insurance

•   Rick Walker - Walker Insurance Company - (972) 727-8949 - insurewithwalker.com - I carry all of my insurance through Rick.  I had been with State Farm for 30 years or so, but became very disillusioned with what I was reading about them in the paper and their general lack of caring and communication with me.  I finally switched to Allstate a couple of years ago and thought I was doing pretty well.  I saved quite a bit of money over State Farm but I still didn't get that "warm fuzzy feeling" that they really were taking the time to understand my needs.  Rick asked to give me a competitive quote.  He not only saved me about $1,500 per year, I got better coverage in every area.  Instead of sticking me with one provider, he researched the market for the best provider for my needs.  And he took the time to understand what my needs were.  I learned from Rick that insurance companies tend to specialize in certain areas where they can be very competitive.  But they are less competitive in other areas.  Rick ferreted out the best companies for my particular needs.  He is honest and honorable and I recommend him highly.

Internet Service (High Speed Wireless)

• Skybeam - 214-446-6210 - Unfortunately, we are in a little pocket of Lucas where FIOS has not yet arrived, so our only option is high speed wireless.  Our business depends on reliable Internet service, so this is a big deal to me.  I had been with another provider for several years and became accustomed to continual outages, poor customer support, and periods of crawling Internet speeds.  If service went out on a Saturday, I could count on it being out for the rest of the weekend.  There was no-one to talk to after about 7 at night.  Customer support amounted to someone maybe calling you by the end of the day.  The final straw was a one week period where my speed went down to slower than dialup.  I'd been paying for 5 megs down for years and had never been close to that at any time of day or night.  They kept saying the problem was on my side, but I knew it wasn't.  I finally gave up and went with Skybeam.  For the first time ever, I was actually getting 5 megs down and haven't lost service yet.  So I'm a big fan.

Ironwork - See Fencing

Lawn care - See Yard Work

Lawyer - See Attorney

Limousine Service

• Rich Limousines - Rich Effren - (972) 409-4091 Their Website Link - One of our clients told us about them and just raved.  I'm not sure how we got on the subject, but they just sang their praises.  They said they are head and shoulders above any ohter limousine service they have ever used.  They take control of the situation, call ahead and find the gate if you are going to the airport, they are punctual, professional, and always go the extra mile.  About a month later, someone else mentioned the company and reiterated their same experience. 

Locksmith

•   Bill Stratton - 972-727-5043 - We have been using Bill for as long as we have lived in Lucas.  The real old timers all know him and wouldn't use anyone else.

Media Rooms ... See Theatre Rooms 

Moving and Storage

• I used to recommend a company here, but will not do so any longer as a client of ours had a big problem with them on a move.  Sorry.  I would check with the Better Business Bureau.

Mowing - See Yard Work

Outdoor Kitchen and Living Centers

• Craig Kooda or Steve Barr - Kooda Exteriors - www.koodaexteriors.com - Their phone # is (972) 530-8005 - They come very highly regarded by one of our subcontractors - She said they did everything they said they would, stayed on-time and on budget, and delivered exactly what she was looking for.  I have actually received two very good recommendations on this company.

   

Patios - See "Outdoor Kitchen and Living Areas"

Pet Adoption - See "Adoption for Dogs"

Pools

• Jeff Moreland - Water Frontiers - (214-215-7910) - Their website is www.waterfrontiers.com - They came highly recommended by Tim Jackson Custom Homes, LP, a high end builder in the Fairview/Lucas area.  Tim told me not only are his prices very competitive, he likes the way he pays special attention to areas such as the foundation, engineering, gunite and quality equipment.

Radiant Barriers

•   Joseph Perry - (817) 789-1057 or (214) 762-3808 - www.foilbarrier.com - He was recommended to us by Innovative Insulation, Inc. who makes the product - They did a good job for us when we had it done to our home

Remodeling

• Tim Gilbert -  Pierce Remodeling - 214-495-0275  - We've used Tim on two remodeling jobs now, the most recent in 2011.  Tim is a skilled carpenter, which was why we chose him for these two projects.  Tim rebuilt two large entertainment centers and they both look fantastic.  He made sure they looked like they've always been there, including matching the stain perfectly.  Tim told me his goal on any remodel is to make it look like it's always been part of the home.  I've seen his work in several few homes in our neighborhood and you'd never know what he built were add-ons.  He takes a lot of pride in what he does as do we.

•   Fred and Susan Bivens - 972-442-4968  - fredbivens@verizon.net  I have had the advantage of watching Fred and Susan with Summit Homes build a home from the ground up.  I can tell you first hand, they take a great amount of pride in their work.  They were on site every single day overseeing the work.  They treated their subcontractors with respect, and anyone in the business will tell you a builder or remodeler are only as good as their subs.  They have a long list of happy customers who they have not only built homes for, but also done remodels at a later date.  They have only recently (2009) started actively pursuing remodels.  If I were undertaking a remodel or building a home, they would definitely be one of the companies I would talk to.  I received an exceptional email from a homeowner after a remodel they did in July of 2010.  To see it, click here.

Residential Service Contract - See Home Warranty Company

Septic Tank Pumping

• All Metro - 972-843-4100

• A-1 800-736-2186

Septic Tank Repairs, Installs and Inspections

• White Eagle Water Systems - (903) 527-3730 - They maintain our septic system.  Reliable, honest, and they care about their customers.  We know that first hand and would recommend them without question.

Shutters - See Blinds, Shutters, Window Treatments

Sprinkler Repair and Sprinkler Install

•   Texas Waterboys - texaswaterboys.com - 972-733-4343 - I had heard about this company for years from clients.  I finally had a chance to see them in action on the home we lived in and sold.  Long story short, I had three different control boxes operating zones from our garage all the way up to the barn.  It was cumbersome, but I did the work myself and figured no-one else would be able to figure it out.  The buyer of our home hired them and within 3-4 hours, they straightened out my mess, found and fixed a valve that wasn't working, and consolidated all three boxes into one.  They charged about $700 or so, which I would have gladly paid had I known about them before.  We shortly thereafter used them on the home we purchased.  They reworked our system so we weren't wasting water in some areas and over-watering in others, plus found a missing zone that wasn't working.  These guys really know what they are doing.

   

  Collin County Sprinkler - Steve Campbell - 972-529-5167 - http://www.collincountysprinkler.com  Although I have never used them, a Parker homeowner took the time to tell us they were very impressed with their work.   They said they were a  husband and wife team and they gave them great service.
  

Stonework - See "Outdoor Kitchen and Living Areas"

surround sound systems - See Theatre Rooms

Theatre Rooms -

•   V.A.S.T. Installs - Robert Burwell - 972-832-7650 - vastinstalls@att.net - www.vastinstalls.yolasite.com/ - Although their specialty is theatre room installs we have used them several times over the years with other structured wiring issues in our home.   They're a good company and will get it right. 

Tile Work

• Nick Wallace - Wallace Tile - 214-356-2240 - He comes very highly recommended by one of our clients. 

Title Company - I give virtually all of my business to these two title companies.  They stay on top of things for me, help me with the research when I have to have it, go the extra mile, and neither have never let me down.  A title company is a big deal because they can make or break a deal, so I'm careful who I use.

•   Crystal Binegar - Hexter Fair Title in Allen - 972-768-3920 - crystal@hexter-fair.com

•   Donna Hunt - Lawyers Title in Allen - 972-727-9898 - Donna.Hunt2@fnf.com

•  

Trash Removal - See "Hauling" and "Arborist"

Tree Trimming - See "Hauling" and "Arborist"

Veterinarian

•   Parker Road Veterinary Hospital - Charles Kerin D.V.M. 972-442-6523 www.parkerroadvet.com - Small animal surgery, and he's also the guy to go to for large animals in this area.  We have many, many horse friends who have been with him for years and swear by him.  We've heard many stories of horses he has diagnosed correctly and saved.  He was also our vet for when we had horses and we think highly of him.

Warranty Company - See Home Warranty Company

Web Hosting

•   GoDaddy.com - 480-505-8899 - www.godaddy.com - I have been through a LOT of web hosting companies and Internet Service Providers over the years.  These guys are head and shoulders above the competition in my opinion.  They are the largest domain name seller in the country.  No one sells domain names any cheaper.  I was cut my Internet costs in half when I switched over to them.  They offer 24 hour tech support.  I have called them at 3 in the morning and if the person I am talking to doesn't know the answer, there is someone there that does.  Their tech support people are knowledgeable and friendly.  I love their business model.  They stay lean and mean and pass the savings on to their customers.  I especially like the way they will ask you if you wouldn't mind replying to a short e-mail after after every tech support call.  This lets them know how they are doing.  Who couldn't like a company like this? 

Welding - See Fencing

Window Treatments - See Blinds, Shutters, Window Treatments

Wireless Internet - See Internet Service

Yard Work - We are working on this one