New doctors make house calls

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Sep 22, 2000 by Ray Dozier

Unlike most physicians, The House Doctors still make house calls. You won't find them at a hospital, but you could find them in your basement or in your kitchen.

The House Doctors is a new company that specializes in affordable handyman/home repair services and will come to your home to do whatever you need -- all in one call.

The handymen have the tools, skills and time for those odd jobs you've been planning to do.

It could be a door that sticks, a window that won't open, or something as simple as installing a ceiling fan. Whatever the project, they can do it.

No service fee is ever charged and most jobs can be done in one trip. The House Doctors will solve your home repair problems and specialize in those smaller jobs where they can help save the customer money.

As a result, they usually charge less than most companies and pass the savings directly to the customer.

The company's owner, Jeff Miller, said his philosophy is providing clients "with quality, affordable home repairs performed in a prompt and professional manner. Each job is treated as if we were doing work on our own home."

He also emphasized the importance of customer service.

"We provide our customers with the absolute best service possible. We do not charge for service calls and our estimates are free. All of our handymen are bonded and our work is insured and guaranteed. When homeowners use The House Doctors, they don't need to call an electrician, carpenter, and plumber to complete a particular job. Our handymen can do everything as quickly and effectively, but at a lower price."

Anyone in need of The House Doctors should call 946-0790 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Materials donated

The Sarkeys Foundation has donated used building materials to the Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity for its new ReStore at 1835 Industrial Blvd. in Norman.

"Our ReStore accepts usable building materials from contractors and businesses," said Ken Gladden of CCHFH. "We recycle them to build decent houses for low-income families or sell them at a discount to the public. It's a win-win situation: the tax-deductible donation saves builders disposal fees, and the public gets good supplies at reasonable prices."

Sarkeys is renovating a former church at 530 E. Main St. into a nonprofit incubator, conference center, and corporate offices. The foundation gave doors, light fixtures, and a baptismal font from the structure to CCHFH to kick off the community resale store.

"Habitat for Humanity is a great program that helps people acquire affordable housing without giving them a handout," said Cheri Cartwright, Sarkeys executive director.

"In return for their home, they contribute their time to build homes for themselves or other habitat families. The ReStore is another way to acquire building materials and add a little money to the fund to help others."

With a mission to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma, the Sarkeys Foundation disburses grants to non-profit scientific, educational, charitable and cultural organizations. S.J. Sarkeys, a Lebanese peddler who made his fortune in the oil business, founded the private foundation in 1962. Since that time, it has awarded more than $50 million, with current assets of about $100 million.

The Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity was established in July 1993 and dedicated its first house a year later. CCHFH has 12 homeowners in Norman, as of June, and is working on two Moore homes that were lost to the 1999 tornado. CCHFH's goal is to build 20 houses in the next two years.

The ReStore is scheduled to open in mid-October. Anyone having donations before that date should call the CCHFH office at 360-7868.

Ray Dozier welcomes your comments and contributions. You may reach him by phone at 278-2838, by fax at 278-2890 or by e-mail, ray.dozier