As landlords we often come across deals for our rentals. If we don't need that service and or part, it holds little interest. But when we need an immediate replacement of a needed item, a sale or discount can play an important roll to our bottom line.

Case in point, a small time landlord needed a new garage door with a battery back-up opener. Power is often lost during any weather issue and their tenant can not manually open their "super heavy" garage door even using a "Quick Release" key. The door is too heavy, a pivot type with a newer garage door face attached over an already heavy wooden door. The tenant is a tall skinny women who works out at the gym 3 days a week and can easily carry a 100 pound box up steps into the rental.

So the landlord couple asked for my advice. I told them to go with a sectional insulated double sided metal door with a double track system for low over head clearance -- so any new tenant can park an SUV inside the garage. And to get a quite 1-1/4 HP battery opener with all of the bells and whistles.

So I got a message they they hired a company to keep their existing door, but just install heaver springs and a battery back up opener. Price $1,900.

So on my to-do list, I gave this couple a call back to report on their decision to spend $1900, without replacing their current door.

I did not mentions that last month while visiting the rental the owner wife pushed the inside garage door button to close the door, and the garage door came down on the owner's head, needing 3 staples and some of her hair removed for treatment.

So I called the owners and the wife answered. She was pissed off at me for challenging their $1,900 estimate. I explained I was not commenting on their decision to go forward with only replacing their opener, BUT I HAD SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. She commented that what good would information be, since who would do the work! I explained that I'm not calling to get additional work, but I have some information that could save them $1,500. And who was the contractor that jacked up their home, added a Third Story and made underground parking for their car collection? Me!

So I have learned my lesson time after time, if they don't want my professional advice, then by all means, keep it to myself.

I have a list of go to contractors and specialist. I consider garage doors, windows and man doors all one specialty on this sheet. My go to specialist has missed the mark the last two quotes. So I called around and the second company that I have on my list was actually about 18% cheaper.

So calling around works.

I am not sure why Robert if some one was asking for help - why they would turn it down unless the timeliness of it was off. If someone thinks they are having a 911 moment, and ask for help they might want the work done yesterday but will ask the group for the best price.