[craignlisa]

Hi, I'm Craig. I live here in the beautiful horse country setting of St-Lazare, Canada. Just moved here from the city of Montreal.

I had been working in Engineering for 20 years, the last 4 in upstate NY. I was a structural mechanical designer. Loved my work (being an inventor was great), but could no longer handle the stress of ridiculous deadlines set by ridiculous people. My sideline has always been renovations and one day I decided to leave it all and change careers. I took a chance and moved to a calmer setting where people still say, "Good Morning", or "Have a nice day". -Sounds silly but I wanted to raise my kids in an area that reminded me of the time when I grew up and being a good person meant something.

The renovation business is booming out here. The homes range from $150,000 to 4 or 5 million! The work is slower pace (for me, that is). My specialty is crown mouldings or chair rail/wainscoting or any other type of trim. I can do most general renos ranging from basement finishing to deck building to kitchen/bathroom remodeling, etc... Just love the challenge!

My Engineering skills help because I design in 3D. It truly helps a client envision the outcome of his project-even before he spends a penny.

I am consciencious about what I do. I love what I do. Although Engineering is a noble profession, I have to say working for myself, meeting people one-on-one and less stress is already paying off (don't have those upper shoulder muscle pains anymore).

I just wanted to end by writing that this forum is great! I can tell you it really helps to have all the professional contractors out there giving us a hand (from their experience). I hope I can one day be able to help somebody with a problem or query.

Anyhow,

Signing off,

Craig

PS to Hayzee518: I worked in Plattsburgh, NY on the old Airforce base for a company that designs and manufactures train parts for major train builders. Very beautiful area-especially those Adirondacks!