New handyman business in Troy

Rowebe Rowe has been building and fixing things since he was a kid. Now he and his wife, Joan, are turning his skills into a business.

R & R Handyman recently received its business license from the City of Troy.

“When I was a kid I built homes with the Amish,” Rowe said. “I did a lot of work with them. I did a lot of construction growing up. I went into the Marine Corps and it seemed like I was fixing something left and right. After 22 years with the Marines I started doing stuff for people. The only thing I won’t do is electrical work. I’ve been in it all my life.”

Rowe said he won’t do electric because of a scare he had while overseas.

“Anything you want me to do I will do, except for electric,” he said. “I was overseas and I got zapped. I was in the hospital for 48 hours. My nails were black and my hair was fried. I went flying. It was pretty scary stuff. But, other than that I do everything from the roof to the ground. I do drywall and painting.”

Rowe said that of all the services he provides his favorite is carpentry.

“I can do anything from mechanical to plumbing,” he said. “I can build a house from the foundation up. Carpentry is what I like the most, but I take pride in everything I do.”

Rowe said that business has started slowly.

“I’ve been in business for about three weeks,” he said. “It’s been pretty rough. I did a job out in Spokane, Wash. There is no place where I won’t go for work.”

Rowe and his wife were looking for a place to start their life and he said he’s always loved Montana.

“I’m from South Dakota and my family used to come to the Yaak to camp,” he said. “I’ve always loved Montana, especially this area. It’s just a beautiful place to live. We’ve been in Troy for a year now.  We decided we wanted to come here and start a life. I’ve gotten my name out there by working for other people. It just seemed like the right time to start our own business.”

Rowe said that him and his wife make a good duo.

“It’s just me and my wife,” he said. “She takes pride in cleaning. I can get something to where it’s a shine and you’ll think it’s clean. She’ll somehow come in and find dirt somewhere. I’ll do the cleaning straight down to the way they taught me in the military, and she’ll come in and say I missed a spot. She really takes pride in everything she does. We both take a lot of pride in the work we do.”