Hello
by Rich Shamlian
Book 2 - "The Retired Contractor's Guide to Building the Right Team"
Is The most concise, experience-driven, no-fluff guide ever written on every aspect of hiring a contractor.
It delivers decades of real-world contractor wisdom in clear, practical, and often humorous language that saves homeowners time, money, and frustration.
Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, adding an addition, or finally tackling that dream project — this book shows you how to find the right contractor, avoid costly mistakes, and take control of your project with confidence.
From planning and bidding to contracts, communication, and final payments — The Retired Contractor gives you the tools, checklists, and insider perspective you need to do it right the first time.
My Story
So, you’ve got a place of your own. Maybe it’s your first house, maybe it’s an apartment you’re renting, maybe it’s the home you share with your spouse. Either way, you quickly learn one universal truth: things break.
A faucet drips. A breaker trips. A door squeaks loud enough to wake the dog. And every time, you’re faced with the same question: “Do I fix this myself, or do I wait (and pay) for someone else to do it?”
Here’s the good news: most of the fixes you’ll need don’t require an expensive toolbox, years of experience, or calling in backup. You just need some basic know-how, a willingness to try, and maybe the occasional reminder not to tighten things until they snap.
That’s where I come in. I’m The Retired Contractor — I’ve been in the trades since I was 16, built restaurants you’ve probably eaten in, built custom homes and renovated homes, managed projects, and seen just about every repair mistake you can imagine. (Yes, including someone trying to stop a leak with duct tape and chewing gum. Spoiler: it didn’t work.)
Book 1 - "The Retired Contractor - Fix it Yourself" is written for you — the woman who just bought her first home, the wife who’s tired of hearing “I’ll get to it this weekend,” the renter who doesn’t want to lose a deposit over a small hole in the wall, and the guys who haven’t been around construction much but want to learn. You deserve straight talk, simple steps, and a little humor to keep it from feeling overwhelming.