I'm Back! Story Time! Secret Reveal!

[@Garth2011]

Always discuss how they will get payments. Max is 10% down to begin the work. After that, if they want to continue to get paid amounts weekly, forget them because they are usually working on maybe one or two other jobs along with yours and if they get you to pay them as they go, they will not return for a few days. Why? They are out spending your money on things they have been wanting to do in between work. It's best to say up front, your payments will be based on work completed, not time put in so, if the demo is done, they can collect a small draw. Then when the rough plumbing is done, maybe another draw and then when drywall is in, taped and sanded, another draw but always only pay enough to get them by, never pay more because if they ditch you, don't return, you are not out any added money to hire someone to finish it. Most legit licensed subcontractors will work a small job without pay until they are finished. Larger jobs where they are working on your project full time every day and providing materials will ask for a draw but usually the best time to pay them is when they complete work that is signed off by the building inspector if you filed a permit. If no permit, just pay when a section of work is done...even if it took the bum 3 weeks to do the rough plumbing, don't pay until he is finished with that portion of the plumbing. Most of the time when they don't show up when they say or don't work more than a few days a week are either on other jobs as well as yours or they are out taking time off of work because they have your money to do so. Been there, done that. Always interview works past clients for how their job progressed and how the payment/draw worked out for them. Lots of workers/contractors like to think your hired them to work hourly and you owe them a regular paycheck or payments twice a week or more regardless of the work progress. Dump those idiots as fast as you can. Even employees who work for Home Depot or Office Max have to put in their time to get a paycheck, so do those conniving so called contractors who claim to be experts in their "field".

[@nortagnan2135]

Was literally yesterday wondering where you'd gone. You seem to have had a right nightmare with all that house stuff but i'm glad its all coming together for you and glad to see you back on here.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Yeah, it's been stressful, but less so now :)

[@jasonsaez3668]

Joanne, I totally feel for you! We just had an addition done to our house for our Mother-in-law! The whole process used 3-parts, #1-Framing and concrete, #2-Plumbing, #3- Finisher. All three parties screwed up something along the way which set us back by weeks, cost an extra several thousand $'s to account for cost increases in raw materials and such! Ultimately it is done now and really nice, but dang it's been a nightmare!!!!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Good thing you weren't set back months lol. Glad it's done!

[@BH-wl1rh]

Welcome back Joanne! The other day I was browsing KZbin, and thought, i haven't seen anything from jtl for quite awhile, had to make sure your channel was still up up. And bam! Here you are, i look forward to new content from you!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks for checking back!

[@tzarkizitski3557]

I went through 5 roof tilers for a repair job. The 6th one was fantastic for both price and quality of workmanship. It is just amazing how hard it is to find good help. Great to see you back again! :)

[@JoanneTechLover]

5? Damn. Yeah, but finding good help is worth going thru all the bad I guess! Thanks!

[@MSTechie]

How long has it been? Glad you're back! (I can understand your frustration. When my mom hired a contractor for the house...we went through hell & back before finding such a sweet old man that did a fantastic job!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Glad you found that sweet man!

[@TheRobbSki]

Welcome back, Joanne! Good help is nearly impossible to find these days. Sorry for all of your troubles & stress. Great to see you again!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Yeah, but it's mostly over; it's not done...but the end is near.

[@kenhoughton9519]

Great to see you back. Too bad all the problems you had with the house, I hope everything is ok now. Hope to see some great content as before. Fenek sounds great!

[@JoanneTechLover]

The house is still being worked on, but it's close; I can feel the end is near! The Fenek Standard Issue mouse is available for pre-order today! *whoot* on Epic Pants! www.epicpants.com/everything/fenekstandardissue

[@Rallow]

Love Joanne even though she doesn't look as good as last time I saw her in CA.

[@mikelcaluag]

Just a suggestion for anyone that is planning to go cheap with a renovation: Go to your local college/apprenticeship and ask the profs if you can borrow (with or without pay depending on the student) a student to work on your renovation for either hours + money and or hours + credit. This way the timeline will be short as the students will need to finish the renovation before the semester ends and a lot of college/apprenticeship students are young and motivated to do the work (especially for money + credits + work experience). Lastly choose the senior students with co-op finished, as these guys are basically professionals.

[@Britec09]

Welcome back Joanne, I missed your content.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Good to be back :)

[@aes602]

Cool! I really hope your products take off. I like your business philosophy based on the way you've described it. High quality, no buzzwords, affordable prices...what more could you ask for? I also like the logo and branding. Can't wait to see more. Also looking forward to more of your concise and informative tech videos (I had honestly forgot I subscribed to you in the, like, 7 months you've been gone!).

[@JoanneTechLover]

Oooo, glad you are looking forward to Fenek goods! I can't wait 'til they launch :D It's been a long time in the works! Thanks for checking back!

[@GrayF0x0]

Plumbing and pipe people almost always never replace drywall or other cuts they make in walls, floors, and ceilings. It's almost always up to people to get that done separately. In other news welcome back, really look forward to your reviews!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Lol, I get it. General contractor is what I want. Thanks for checking back!

[@Trusteft]

Handymen sound exactly like what you find here in Greece. I think all handymen come from the same place. Welcome back. I am glad you returned.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Lol, it sucks! Please people, get it together XD

[@jasonsaez3668]

So glad to see you back Joanne!!!! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Glad to be back :)

[@killroy123]

Joanne and Tek! OMG! YES!!! So hyped now. You both are going to come back strong for 17/18! Best of luck!

[@JoanneTechLover]

I'm pretty excited about the collab on Fenek products too!

[@killroy123]

I will be sure to check them out. Perfect timing as I need to replace my mouse.

[@Daeys2411]

Hello Joan , nice to see you again ..yeah some contractors are unprofessional and not actually knowing what they supposed to do ! Some are a nightmare from hell ...sad that you had to go thru that Ricky to the rescue

[@JoanneTechLover]

You too! Yeah well, it's not over yet, but it's close!

[@Benjovi2305]

Wooooow welcome back Joanne it's been a good 7 months and have been seriously missed

[@JoanneTechLover]

Yeah, long time; had many headaches!

[@XFourty7]

Hey Joanne, welcome back!.. Sounds like a headache you went through :X I'll definitely be getting one of the new mice you guys made, congrats and good luck on the new company!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Awesome, thanks! The Fenek Standard Issue mouse is available for pre-order today on Epic Pants! www.epicpants.com/everything/fenekstandardissue

[@Malnaxe]

Watching this video on my ASUS MX 279-H that you recommended 3 years ago! Good to have you back Joanne!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Nice!

[@jetcity7156]

Welcome back!! You just made my day.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Glad you like the studio :D

[@-Nicky]

Joanne you're alive.... Welcome back. Great to see you still a KZbinr thought you had moved on. Can't wait to see more videos from you.

[@JoanneTechLover]

I live! I've been busy getting this house together & working on Fenek gear :D

[@-Nicky]

Good luck on your house remodeling :-)

[@JamminGIJames32]

I'm so sorry that all has happened! Wow! Well, it's always good seeing a video from you 😊

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you, glad it's mostly over!

[@jamescosby4977]

Joanne, It is lovely to have you back. I'm looking forward to your future videos. Other tech tubers are informative and fun but none of them are you. It sounds like you've had quite a learning experience with your contractor woes. Have you considered tilting your table and camera to match the wall?

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you :). I've considered tilting the table, but looking at it would drive me up a wall lol.

[@Brandon-wq6rf]

We missed you! So glad to see you're back, Portland is the place to be right now too.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you! Yeah, I love the trees and rain here!

[@Luscious3174]

Nice to see you back - hope everything with your new home works out well.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@onidon]

It's nice to have you back! :) I remember somebody asked in one of the Awesome Hardware episodes about you and Paul said that you're okay. Based on what you have said though, looks like it was quite a horrendous time for you in the course of renovating your home. Anyway, welcome back! ^_^

[@JoanneTechLover]

Lol, Paul said I was ok? It was quite horrendous, but the end is near- I hope! Thanks for checking back on JTL!

[@onidon]

He did, he he! I forgot which episode but I believe he was concerned about your privacy so it must be the safe answer. I sure hope this ordeal will be over for you soon and I am looking forward for your new videos. Thanks for making great videos for us! :D

[@selohcin]

Wow, I learned a lot about home repair pitfalls from you. Thanks for the story.

[@Daehawk]

Welcome home to both your new house and back to KZbin. Hope you find both rewarding and comfy. Well carpet is comfortable and warm. Wood and such is cold.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you! I'll do my best :D Workin' on a big project now!

[@xenosaren6324]

Im so happy, that you're back :) wish you all the best in new place, Joanne. I was actually a bit worried with no news from you. Greetings :)

[@JoanneTechLover]

Greetings! Thanks for checking back!

[@flash_7602]

Yay your back ^-^ you should do a Q&A like how how start in the computer Business? What certifications are important to start off with? I'm so glad your back ^-^

[@ss263]

Flash_760 You're....

[@flash_7602]

ssc263 nobody cares ^-^

[@ss263]

Flash_760 😕 Sorry

[@flash_7602]

ssc263 it's cool

[@JoanneTechLover]

Hmmm, I don't think you need certifications, just a love for gadgets :D

[@slashbrackets3397]

This is why I do my own stuff where at all possible. Last fall I renovated my up stairs full bath. Cost me about $350 bucks and even built a brand new vanity ($50 bucks for the plywood, a few more bucks for screws edge banding). Only ting that is the same as before is the tub, thats it. Even redid the flooring. $350 bucks. A contractor would have charged about 5k and wouldn't have been done right.

[@JoanneTechLover]

That's awesome that you can do plumbing! That is skilled labor.

[@guesswho312_]

Well welcome back Joanne! Looking forward to your videos again!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks! I'll see what I can do :D

[@shubhojitbose3112]

Yeee!! Been waiting for ur comeback

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks for your patience!

[@TheMusicalDuelist]

Good to see you Joanne! Welcome back!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@markelloaus2306]

So sorry to hear of all your troubles. But I am so happy u r back. 😀

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks, good to be back :)

[@kimchanreviews]

Great to see you back :D Joanne hope your well and hope things are going well.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you! Doing what I can :)

[@neosmith80]

Glad you are back, sure is nice to hear from ya! :D

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@CC_Timbral]

Great to see u back and ok, had been worried that something had happened.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks for your concern :) Just been thru a crap-storm.

[@goldfries]

Welcome back, was looking out to see whether you're at Computex but you weren't.

[@JoanneTechLover]

I may go 2018 though- we'll see!

[@Vinhhotboii]

Welcome back Joanne we miss you!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@cdeisch]

Finaly you are back, its good to see you again

[@JoanneTechLover]

You too!

[@adityasanyal4020]

Thank You for coming back!!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you for stickin' by JTL :D

[@HayseedTurnip]

Nice to see you again!

[@JoanneTechLover]

You too!

[@Kundalini12]

Yay, glad to see you back 😊

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks!

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

⁦❤️⁩⁦ Joanne ! ❤️⁩ Congratulations on buying your new home. May the fresh Spring air of Portland bring you great health ! :-) Sorry you ran into upgrade problems, houses are more work than server rooms !

[@MloVisual]

Love the new studio! ...and you ;) Can't wait to start seeing videos again!

[@MloVisual]

spoke to soon.. yeah the wood job is so so. lol!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Lol, it's cool; it is what it is!

[@yellowrustybirdwheels]

glad you came back and nice to see you again

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks!

[@unforgivn81]

I spent 6-7 months basically stuck in my upstairs bedroom after the floods came through SC in late 2015. Remodeling suuuuucks.

[@StraightShooter01]

Holy crap Joanne - that soumds like a nightmare - aren't there websites for finding reputable contractors at any price point? Once done - might be cool to see it but understood if thats not cool - just curious about the fuss and your tastes of course - glad to see you posting videos - missed ya!

[@JoanneTechLover]

It was, and in some ways still is...my current contractor is good, but he rarely shows up. So, I just wait.

[@greatScott-yxe]

Great to see you back Joanne!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks a bunch!

[@Bruno_Amaro]

Joanne is back!!!!! YES!!!!! Glad to see you back to KZbin.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@AngelLuisTrinidad]

Happy to see you back Joanne.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks a bunch!

[@accordracin96]

Glad you are back! Just watched an older Asus PB277Q monitor video. :)

[@JoanneTechLover]

Cool, glad to be back!

[@jaja1818]

its nice to hear a story that makes my job helpful..I'm a project manager in the construction industry and after hearing your story and its problems, I felt so sorry but yet cant help myself stop laughing.

[@170adamb1]

All sounds pretty normal for house renovation to me. Shyster contractors, overcharging, not turning up, crappy work. My house took 3 years when it was supposed to be about 3 months :-(

[@peterhorvath7686]

Welcome back and all the best.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@davidminor1254]

Finally! Whew! Welcome back Joanne

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks!

[@davidminor1254]

I've missed ya!

[@Snafu2346]

Glad you're back. I was afraid you had gone rouge. My family is in LA, but their houses in Arcadia are insane. their neighbors house is on sale for 5 million. I'd love to live in Oregon. I hear its beautiful there.

[@Warren1814]

Well here is a question for you Joanne, Just in case you do come back. here goes. I have a question about motherboards and windows 10 home. I have a pc that I put together and it has windows 10 home installed on it but, the motherboard supports the AMD Phenom x 3 8400, socket AM2+ (940). And the mother board itself is a Micro ATX, ECS A740GM-M. Both the motherboard and cpu is very old and slow compared to today’s cpu and motherboards etc. It runs windows 10 home fairly but, not fast enough for me. My question is, can I with a Microsoft account upgrade my motherboard, cpu and memory without having to buy another copy of windows 10 home? I read this can be done but. I wonder if this is true or not. Please help… Hopefully you will come back before i have this figured out myself or if someone else doesn't help me before you get back etc. Come back soon.. ok please I hope you have gotten everything fixed in your studio etc

[@teeblack06]

glad to see you back.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks!

[@jamesduncanearthling]

Glad you're back. Can't wait for more videos.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks! Will do my best :D

[@TheFufubunny]

So happy to have you back! Was getting sick of linus and jay.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Lol thanks!

[@sethsauceda3677]

I was very surprised the other day when I saw that it'd been so long but was more surprised when I saw this uploaded today 😄

[@sethsauceda3677]

Anyways it's surprisingly refreshing to see a very professional reviewer show her human side lol xxxx

[@itsdeonlol]

OMG! OMG! Welcome back Joanne!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@MrRaivokasMagma]

I got flashbacks from time I had clean truck load of construction junk from yard, left there by a sleazy contractor. Nice to see you again!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Oh yeah, there was plenty of that...

[@ultimategodgohan804]

Welcome back Joanne im happy to see you back :)

[@jaocb178]

Jeez I'm late to this. Decided to come back to check on this channel. Welcome to Portland! (If you're still here 😅)

[@jeffreydapitan]

this is why you need architects and interior designers.. might cost more but fast, clean and good quality without all the headaches.. welcome back!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Well, after this is over, I won't be remodeling for a LONG time.

[@getondwn]

Welcome back Gorgeous!...Now the stars are back in alignment :) the galaxy is saved

[@JoanneTechLover]

Lol thanks!

[@wowitzjamz]

WOO! Welcome back friend!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@markdenomy9895]

I’m glad you’re back and I like the enthusiasm

[@JoanneTechLover]

Glad to be back :)

[@jagsfanrick]

Glad to see ya back.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Glad to be back :D

[@gabriel_the_salubri]

Glad to see you back at it Joanne! As for your contractor(s), you should call Adam Carolla and "Catch a Contractor". ;0)

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks! Yeah, they need to get their shite together!

[@NikkiNightGZ]

All I can say is Wow! and welcome back.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@bobbysteurer]

Yo, Joanne! Good to see you back, girl! I missed your videos terribly and my wife missed the intro theme song!!! :)

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks! Aw, I'm always happy to hear from my awesome supporters!

[@MarceloBDA]

Nice to see you back!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks!

[@fernandorui3198]

Joanne, why that much headroom on this shot? I'd sugest a closer camera or longe lens. When you have that much open space around you, It dwarfs you in the scene. Anyway, Glad to see you back :)

[@JoanneTechLover]

I still gotta work on getting the right look for the set!

[@Cute-Media]

Welcome back Sis 🌹

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks!

[@Rex_Gear]

Everyone's coming to Portland! And it's great to have you back!!

[@JoanneTechLover]

It's beautiful here!

[@no_decaf]

Welcome back! Any future plans for 108 key mechanical keyboards? I love the logo btw.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you! We're in talks about a couple keyboards, but the supplier is being a little biotch about a detail we want changed. So, we'll see if it goes thru; may just cancel.

[@no_decaf]

Joanne Tech Lover well i honestly and seriously wish you the very best in your endeavors

[@slowdog294]

Glad to see your return, Ma'am. :D

[@JoanneTechLover]

Glad to be back!

[@ITMacPro]

Any idea of when the Fenek swift is going to be released? I just bought the SI and thought maybe I missed out on the Swift. I think I'd like to try that one.

[@JamesSarkarX]

Ah good to see you back 🤗

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@majortheprotagonist5561]

Welcome back, I've missed your videos

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks for stickin' around!

[@crug76]

Glad to see you back Can you please please do a 7700k overclocking guide like the 6600k one you did as it was great 😀😀😀

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks! We'll see :D

[@ironworker3330]

Awesome glad you are back!!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks!

[@jonmarinos7170]

I missed that laugh! welcome back =)

[@JoanneTechLover]

My weird laugh? lol

[@jonmarinos7170]

Joanne Tech Lover haha yes your weird but adorable laugh ☺️

[@mananmer4071]

Finally you are back, Hoping for some good stuffs soon. Good Luck with the NeW HoUsE .. :))

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you! It'll be some more time before it's done, 'cause people are slow.

[@writingpanda]

Yo that's exciting! Fenek! Where did the name come from? Can't wait to try them out!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thanks for the support!

[@oohshiney8179]

Bend Oregon is awesome. I went there for about a week the weather was amazing. The scenery was to die for. I wish I can move there. The secret area is Grants Pass, Oregon though! Amazing weather!

[@JoanneTechLover]

I've heard it's cool! I love the weather and scene here- so pretty!

[@jda457]

Welcome back! :D Looking forward to your new videos! :D

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you! Good to be back.

[@wztudor2]

Welcome back! Hope to see more very soon.

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you, will work on stuff!

[@rommelfcc]

Welcome back! ♡♡

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@mloaiza002]

Great to hear from you again !!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Great to be here!

[@TheDarrenc1973]

OMG I could have got on a plane flown from the UK to Portland done all the work myself for the same cost and flown home lol... good to see you back on air

[@JoanneTechLover]

Well, happy for you and your skills! You won't have to go thru this lol.

[@Chemy.]

I missed you! Notifications activated! Nice you are again here, nice singing btw ;)

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you! It's annoying that people have to click the bell now...

[@demonhitman]

Welcome back!!!!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@blackwatergaming7770]

Joanne welcome back!!!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!

[@jackthelad9933]

Welcome back!!!

[@JoanneTechLover]

Thank you!