Fed Up with lazy no show contractors

[NC-Shaun]

Ok, I have been in my current home for 13 mths. I have pretty much completed most of the fix it list I needed to do. THANKS TO YOU GUYS!!!

Now I am trying to get a new driveway and garage built and I have had no less than 4 garage spec sheets handed out to various contractors for bids. NOT ONE bid has come back since I handed them out 7 mths ago.

Now, I am getting the same run around from the pavement contractors?? WOW! I called EVERY pavement guy in town, got two responses. ONE guy finally showed today to provide an estimate. One guy scheduled an appt 3 weeks ago for the 29th-30th, didnt even show, and one guy said email him pics and he would estimate it through emails and never gave me an estimate????

How do businesses stay afloat operating like this? Geez, I run my own company and when I say i am gonna be there I NEVER leave a client/person waiting on me.....ever. What is going on????

I am to the point I am just gonna sell this property and find a turn key new home, and go in debt for say 100k on a 300k property. I cant handle this frustration.

Mods, please let this thread stay alive for a bit and I will submit it for deletion within a week. I just needed to vent and get feedback from the fellas here. this is the only forum where the members seem to have a grasp on this topic.

 

[jd_1138]

How they treat potential customers is a function of how busy with work they currently are. It's inversely proportional. As they get busier, their customer service skills go way down.

A lot of them are just plain a-holes. Of course there are a lot of nice, great people in the trades. And it's hard work. Tends to chew some up and spit them out if they're out of shape (mentally or physically).

You will find the right contractor. Just give it time.

 

[kentenn]

I am having similar problems here in Nashville. So much construction that everyone is busy and cherry picking jobs. I've had my best luck using people that friends have recommended. Not sure if it is because they are better than the average or if they work a little harder, knowing I got them as a referral and will talk to their original client.

 

[shelteredV]

At least have the decency to decline the owner nicely if you're too busy. I don't care how busy you are, if someone is making the time to give you a chance at a job, don't be a friggin jerk. period

 

[NC-Shaun]

I dunno what the 8 hr day comment meant duckface but I asked for opinions so......

As far as how busy paving guys are in January in the Appalachian mountains.....Nada, they can only do estimates in the winter. The quarry reopens in 8 weeks.

The garage builders/contractors......the area is stagnant, its coal driven. So FINDING work is a GIFT. I have practically went through every contractor I can find at this point. Yes a few are booked up for a year or two, but the rest are begging for work then pulling this no show ****.

I came here 13 mths ago and found work almost IMMEDIATELY due to lawn care service providers doing **** work/no shows/or billing for work then not doing it. I took on a massive 22 acre account with 4 other crews, and it took me a matter of 2 weeks to out work and get rid of the other 3 crews. Now i have the entire 22 acre account for myself next year and most of last year.

 

[NC-Shaun]

At least have the decency to decline the owner nicely if you're too busy. I don't care how busy you are, if someone is making the time to give you a chance at a job, don't be a friggin jerk. period

I just told the pavement guy that no showed the same thing. Life happens, I understand but a text or call takes minutes.

 

[bczygan]

As a GC, I had the same problem, and I had the carrot of future work and regular payments.

During boom times it was impossible to get contractors. We ended up letting foundations sit forever. Couldn't get carpenters.

You are the bottom of the barrel as far as clients.

So my advice is to wait for an economic downturn when subs are crying for work.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

And standing in a contractors shoes, I really only want the best and easiest and most profitable customers. And regular commercial ones fit the bill best.

Construction is a boom and bust business, so I will take advantage of the boom. Don't even know if I'll be in business for the next one, so I'll kick small potato customers to the curb. I will probably never run into you again anyway.

So don't take it personally. I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties.

Bill

Now, knowing this, what can you do to make yourself a customer that I need?

 

[ratdoggy]

Ok, I have been in my current home for 13 mths. I have pretty much completed most of the fix it list I needed to do. THANKS TO YOU GUYS!!!

Now I am trying to get a new driveway and garage built and I have had no less than 4 garage spec sheets handed out to various contractors for bids. NOT ONE bid has come back since I handed them out 7 mths ago.

Now, I am getting the same run around from the pavement contractors?? WOW! I called EVERY pavement guy in town, got two responses. ONE guy finally showed today to provide an estimate. One guy scheduled an appt 3 weeks ago for the 29th-30th, didnt even show, and one guy said email him pics and he would estimate it through emails and never gave me an estimate????

How do businesses stay afloat operating like this? Geez, I run my own company and when I say i am gonna be there I NEVER leave a client/person waiting on me.....ever. What is going on????

I am to the point I am just gonna sell this property and find a turn key new home, and go in debt for say 100k on a 300k property. I cant handle this frustration.

Mods, please let this thread stay alive for a bit and I will submit it for deletion within a week. I just needed to vent and get feedback from the fellas here. this is the only forum where the members seem to have a grasp on this topic.

Put your location in your profile...
Maybe someone close to you knows a good company...
But of course they wouldn't know if they were close to you. No need for an address just a basic "NW Michigan" would work

 

[Northislander]

When i was an apprentice i worked for a company that was impossible to get a hold of and seldom returned calls. Whenever boss/owner was vacationing and i looked after things i returned all calls at the end of the day. Customers started calling me even when the boss was in. I have always remembered one customer saying if i started my own company and continued to contact customers i'd always have work.
So ever since starting my company 25 years ago i have always tried to return calls and follow thru on estimates "but" the busier we are the harder it is i can't justify hiring someone else just to answer phones and return calls when all they would be doing is turning down work we don't have time to do. So now we do not return all inquiries, but do keep in contact with you once we have started a working relationship.

 

[n20junkie]

I worked with small industrial construction and concrete guys. They are used to tight schedules as well as long days.

All lf my contractors showed up on time and did good work. But they weren't cheap.

 

[jd_1138]

And standing in a contractors shoes, I really only want the best and easiest and most profitable customers. And regular commercial ones fit the bill best.

Construction is a boom and bust business, so I will take advantage of the boom. Don't even know if I'll be in business for the next one, so I'll kick small potato customers to the curb. I will probably never run into you again anyway.

So don't take it personally. I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties.

Bill

Now, knowing this, what can you do to make yourself a customer that I need?

Sounds like we need to start granting work visas for tradespeople from Mexico, Middle America, South America. Then when they start taking some of your "best and easy" gravy jobs as well as residential customers, then you might sing a different tune.

Here in Ohio, it's not hard to find contractors. If you live on the coasts, it's much harder. You guys on the coasts need to import some Amish and midwestern tradespeople.

 

[Ray916MN]

The thing that fixed most of my contractor problems was to realize that I lived in a community and that the long time residents had a group of contractors that everyone used. They grew up together, went to church together, volunteered for the fire department together, had kids in school together. Asking long standing business people in the community who they used and finding out they pretty much all used the same people made me realize that calling people out of the blue to ask them to bid a job was a poor substitution for saying, I was talking to your buddy Joe and he said you'd be the guy to do some work I need to get done. I've found them all to be busy, competent, fair on price with a bias to cash payment. The only problem I've had if you could call it a problem is getting some of them to invoice me for work they've done. This has been an opportunity for me to prove myself as a reasonable customer. They all seem to appreciate it when i send them reminder texts to send me a bill or when I mention to common acquaintances that if they see so and so, to remind him to send me a bill.

 

[pcmeiners]

"As they get busier, their customer service skills go way down."

Strange, my customer skills never diminished as I got busier, I just ended working more hours and more days. Basically the "new age" contractors are A-holes.

"Sounds like we need to start granting work visas for tradespeople from Mexico, Middle America, South America."

Sounds good to me, my experience, they aren't afraid to get there blue jean dirty, and they are willing to work, including digging ditches; they even have callouses on their hands. Get a kick out of workers who show up with spotless clothes... when I was a GC and foreman I used to send them home, as they worried about their clothes more then work and safety of other workers....or I would assign them a job guaranteed to mess up their precious clothes.

Just read Rays comments...
Overheard one contractors comment in a restaurant, basically stating in NYC you can be the biggest F*up and it does not matter, as there are always plenty of prospective customers to be had (in both senses of the word). How true, unlike in a small town atmosphere where new spreads quickly.

"Construction is a boom and bust business"
Nonsense, I was a Contractor in the early 70s through the late 80s, I always had work ahead of me, early 70s was the worst recession/inflation since the "great depression", had to to work 6-7 days a week, 12-14 hours/day. Most Contractors should burn the shingle and work for the government, as little skill/work ethic/ responsibility is needed.

 

[klassenl]

The thing that fixed most of my contractor problems was to realize that I lived in a community and that the long time residents had a group of contractors that everyone used. They grew up together, went to church together, volunteered for the fire department together, had kids in school together. Asking long standing business people in the community who they used and finding out they pretty much all used the same people made me realize that calling people out of the blue to ask them to bid a job was a poor substitution for saying, I was talking to your buddy Joe and he said you'd be the guy to do some work I need to get done. I've found them all to be busy, competent, fair on price with a bias to cash payment. The only problem I've had if you could call it a problem is getting some of them to invoice me for work they've done. This has been an opportunity for me to prove myself as a reasonable customer. They all seem to appreciate it when i send them reminder texts to send me a bill or when I mention to common acquaintances that if they see so and so, to remind him to send me a bill.

This

 

[NC-Shaun]

And standing in a contractors shoes, I really only want the best and easiest and most profitable customers. And regular commercial ones fit the bill best.

Construction is a boom and bust business, so I will take advantage of the boom. Don't even know if I'll be in business for the next one, so I'll kick small potato customers to the curb. I will probably never run into you again anyway.

So don't take it personally. I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties.

Bill

Now, knowing this, what can you do to make yourself a customer that I need?

Well, do ya really wanna know why you need me.....that 22 acre account I mentioned needs about 3-miles of pavement done as we speak. Guess who doesnt get that job........the fella like you that turned his nose up at me. I also have an offer on the table for a job that puts me into position of needing paving/runoff work for about 10 homes a year.......Take a second guess who isnt gonna get that work cuz he couldnt show up for a measley 120 foot driveway, and a 28x56 garage???

Take 3 guesses and 2 dont count

 

[NC-Shaun]

The thing that fixed most of my contractor problems was to realize that I lived in a community and that the long time residents had a group of contractors that everyone used. They grew up together, went to church together, volunteered for the fire department together, had kids in school together. Asking long standing business people in the community who they used and finding out they pretty much all used the same people made me realize that calling people out of the blue to ask them to bid a job was a poor substitution for saying, I was talking to your buddy Joe and he said you'd be the guy to do some work I need to get done. I've found them all to be busy, competent, fair on price with a bias to cash payment. The only problem I've had if you could call it a problem is getting some of them to invoice me for work they've done. This has been an opportunity for me to prove myself as a reasonable customer. They all seem to appreciate it when i send them reminder texts to send me a bill or when I mention to common acquaintances that if they see so and so, to remind him to send me a bill.

I hear ya on all this.....I have been moved and wandered since i was about as young as I can recall. Never stayed anywhere more than a few years, and just relocated here about 13 mths ago.

 

[NC-Shaun]

"As they get busier, their customer service skills go way down."

Strange, my customer skills never diminished as I got busier, I just ended working more hours and more days. Basically the "new age" contractors are A-holes.

"Sounds like we need to start granting work visas for tradespeople from Mexico, Middle America, South America."

Sounds good to me, my experience, they aren't afraid to get there blue jean dirty, and they are willing to work, including digging ditches; they even have callouses on their hands. Get a kick out of workers who show up with spotless clothes... when I was a GC and foreman I used to send them home, as they worried about their clothes more then work and safety of other workers....or I would assign them a job guaranteed to mess up their precious clothes.

Just read Rays comments...
Overheard one contractors comment in a restaurant, basically stating in NYC you can be the biggest F*up and it does not matter, as there are always plenty of prospective customers to be had (in both senses of the word). How true, unlike in a small town atmosphere where new spreads quickly.

Sadly you are speaking the truth, if people dont start gaining some work ethic I cant see things getting any better.

I dont know how people can live like that. For me when I leave a job/season/whatever it may be I want to remain friends with my customers and be a part of the community. Definitely not leave on a bad note for any reason.

 

[NC-Shaun]

You'll give the jobs to the first guy that says yes.
That's pretty much what you've already typed.

Actually, thats not the case. Believe it or not. I can move on, selloff and put this town in my rear view. Buy a turn key house and have little or no payments. Rewards of work ethic.....one might say

 

[NC-Shaun]

I worked with small industrial construction and concrete guys. They are used to tight schedules as well as long days.

All lf my contractors showed up on time and did good work. But they weren't cheap.

Two of the contractors I called did return my calls and said they were booked for 1.5-2 years solid. To me that says alot about them, because they still returned my call. For that, I still keep them on my maybe when things are slower list of potential companies for that other job offer.

 

[Reg1952]

We had like a co-op of contractors of all different trades open like a retail store.They all payed to staff this place and pay the rent. You could go in and tell them what job you wanted done and they would show you all the contractors that did that type of work with reverances and pics of there work and you could then select which ones you wanted to have give you an estimate.You would then call the contractors or have them call you. Tried different ones for different jobs and they still didnt call or show up. Thats why I am more handy than handsome.

 

[NC-Shaun]

We had like a co-op of contractors of all different trades open like a retail store.They all payed to staff this place and pay the rent. You could go in and tell them what job you wanted done and they would show you all the contractors that did that type of work with reverances and pics of there work and you could then select which ones you wanted to have give you an estimate.You would then call the contractors or have them call you. Tried different ones for different jobs and they still didnt call or show up. Thats why I am more handy than handsome.

I can take on building the garage, but just have no way of doing the concrete/paving/runoff work. I just wanna pay and have it done. Your experience is how I feel regarding these contractors.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I don't mind contractors that don't return my calls requesting an estimate. What I don't like is when the fail to show up to appointments. I had one guy schedule for an estimate, then never showed. My girlfriend called and asked what happened and he said he didn't think we were serious. Of course that was easy to say in 2007. Of five places we called, only one came out for an estimate and by that time it was too late in the year to have the work done, so we waited. That job was $20k, and easy to turn down when there was a lot of work available. Of course it still needed to be done when the housing starts dried up and everyone was losing their jobs around here. The guys who didn't show probably could have used that job when we did have it done since they were laying off most of their guys. I also let everyone know how they operate and know that there were a lot of jobs they were not even considered for. Maybe not big jobs, but at least $100k worth of work right in the middle of the downturn. That's just from my experience with them. How many other people are getting the word out about how they operate?

Too busy to call me back? No problem. Schedule an estimate then no call no show? That's unacceptable.

 

[John in OH]

NC-Shaun, You have my total sympathy!! I've experienced the same problem with getting contractors to respond to personal jobs. My experience has been, with only a very few notable exceptions, most "home/residential" contractors are jerks.

At least have the decency to decline the owner nicely if you're too busy. I don't care how busy you are, if someone is making the time to give you a chance at a job, don't be a friggin jerk. period

This is totally true! If a contractor isn't interested in my job because it is too small, or he is too busy, that's OK with me ... I can understand business and priorities. But just say up front you aren't interested or don't have time. An honest response isn't going to upset me. I'll just keep looking for someone else. But don't take my specs, or say you'll look them over, or tell me you'll be here next Thursday, and then not ever contact me again or not show up. A contractor that can't be bothered to give me a 45 sec call or a ten word text is rude, disrespectful, and nothing but a total A--hole.

And standing in a contractors shoes, I really only want the best and easiest and most profitable customers. And regular commercial ones fit the bill best.

That's fine. Just tell me that up front. Don't give me some line of S-it and leave me waiting in the driveway for your no-show.

Construction is a boom and bust business, so I will take advantage of the boom. Don't even know if I'll be in business for the next one, so I'll kick small potato customers to the curb. I will probably never run into you again anyway.

So don't take it personally. I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties.

Really??? I retired as a construction manager for an electric utility company and I can assure you I weeded out contractors that felt they had no "time or inclination for the niceties". Those that didn't have such an "attitude" mysteriously got most of my contracts. A bad attitude flows from management clear down through the trades and shows up as poor quality and/or productivity.

 

[Charlie51]

Are you in the U. P. of Michigan by any chance? It took me 2 1/2 years to get a modular home on my former single wide mobile home property. But once the house was in it was only a few months to get an attached garage put on it before the snow flew. You have to find the right guys, and It helps if the stars align.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Sounds like we need to start granting work visas for tradespeople from Mexico, Middle America, South America. Then when they start taking some of your "best and easy" gravy jobs as well as residential customers, then you might sing a different tune.

Here in Ohio, it's not hard to find contractors. If you live on the coasts, it's much harder. You guys on the coasts need to import some Amish and midwestern tradespeople.

Damn right!

 

[NC-Shaun]

Right on all points John in Ohio!

Charlie 51, no I am not in the U P although its always been appealing to me until I got used to the Southern heat for most of my adult life.

I am in the NE WV area now, and many locals had to import an Amish crew to accomplish tasks that local bums wouldnt take.

I knew coming here that the "pill epidemic" had turned to heroin use. Google senator Manchin takes a stand on WV drug abuse. I just figured since I take no part in that I could circumnavigate that mine field. Unfortunately it seems that a large percentage of the "contractors and laborers" are no drivers license having, dui offenders, drug offenders, felons, or generally trashy people that hang out at the local gas station and jump on the first truck with a ladder rack that will take them.

 

[Smoker]

Interesting discussion. I had similar issues finding contractors and had success with a co-workers boyfriend doing the concrete (spectacular job, he normally does airports and air force bases, did this on the side) and a co workers son doing the truss installation and shingles. Again, it turned out great. To talk to the contractors attitude, I think many get work and make money in spite of themselves. How long does it take to answer the phone, listen to the job and politely turn it down if need be? There's not a client in the world gets mad because you're too busy to take on a small job. Hell you get enough of those phone calls, add a smaller residential crew and crush that work! I understand estimating takes time and smaller jobs are less profitable and time management becomes important as a business grows. But don't be an ***.....

 

[Certified Drunk]

I got a bid on a project, Got the...We don't want to do it price.

 

[openwheelracing88]

USA blue collar workers. Entitled and untrustworthy. That's why I try to do everything myself.

Not all, but increasingly becoming the norm. Once in a blue moon I get a great experience hiring a contractor, and he/she always gets a great review from me online.

 

[Firebrick43]

On one hand I understand your frustration about contractors. But look at it from their point of view. The customers want spectacular work for the cheapest price. Just look at how many post " on no my concrete is cracking"

No proper prep, no 8"+crushed stone underneath,no reinforcing, to wet of slump. But they were the cheapest.

The good contractors are booked solid by word of mouth. The OK contractors are few and far between, and the bad ones are felons, drunks, and drug users, which is why they are not working for a larger company making the big bucks.

A good contractor can't just add more employees to expand, there are few good employees out there. As a society we have taught a whole generation to attend college and not work with their hands, those left typically fit in the above mentioned catagories.

Where I work they can not find qualified industrial mechs. Inside, airconditioned, 30+$ an hour and the best 401k I have seen(low cost of living here), 800 applicants and 1 new hire that isn't really that great. If you do what you are supposed to, you look like a super star.

Crazy thing is I make more than I bet 80 percent of my class of 99 schoolmates, many with college degrees. If you have kids, push them towards a high skilled trade. Hvac, industrial electrician and mechs, farm/heavy equipment mechs, plumbers. With baby boomers retiring and the current generation shunning getting their hands dirty, they will garner top pay in the future.

 

[Casey69]

USA blue collar workers. Entitled and untrustworthy. That's why I try to do everything myself.

Not all, but increasingly becoming the norm. Once in a blue moon I get a great experience hiring a contractor, and he/she always gets a great review from me online.

same, at least on the doing all i can myself part. it's easier for me to do it myself than to find a non-screwball contractor who will show up & give me a bid, then actually follow-up & do decent work.

if you have a neighborhood website, become a member & use that for recommendations & who to avoid too.

 

[-Brent-]

And standing in a contractors shoes, I really only want the best and easiest and most profitable customers. And regular commercial ones fit the bill best.

Construction is a boom and bust business, so I will take advantage of the boom. Don't even know if I'll be in business for the next one, so I'll kick small potato customers to the curb. I will probably never run into you again anyway.

So don't take it personally. I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties.

Bill

Now, knowing this, what can you do to make yourself a customer that I need?

This is pure BS, you know that, right? I've framed over a 100 residential homes (probably 40-50% custom) and we'd be busting *** all day and then I'd sit down and put together a bid. Half (or maybe more) of the time I the lumber yard had a couple folks in their office that did a decent portion of that work because they'd offer that to us. And, they'd do more (I'm quite sure) if that meant retaining me as their customer. So, bids, as much as they sucked because I wanted to be out in the boat, weren't always horrible because I had help.

We did commercial work, too, but there's headaches that come along with commercial jobs - just like anything else.

When a small finish job or a deck/dock job came up there was always the understanding made clear that we'd fit those jobs in or I had 2 different buddies we could send the work to. It went either way and I was fine with that because it was important to me that if I didn't get the job, a buddy did. That would come right back around because when I decided to get my **** back into school, I didn't even need to advertise for work. I had enough smaller jobs coming out of my ears all from guys I had given work to. I may have made more money then, actually.

Another thing is, the small jobs are gravy, especially for a crew of decent guys. When there was time in-between, the guys had work to do. There were times when we'd split off and guys would be drying in a house and we'd knock out a small job. Some of those small jobs lead to decent paying remodels, window jobs, etc. But, I had to hustle. I was always on the dang phone. I was looking at jobs after work, on the weekends, rainy days, freezing mornings, etc.

So, when I hear bunk like written above, I know - for a fact that -that you were either not in control as a legit GC or business dwindled away because you're in the same group the OP is talking about.

I know MI has been hit pretty hard over the years but I'd bet a paycheck that the guy that was always willing to take 2 minutes to make a call back had more work to do than the guy that said "I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties."

Some people have a nice story to why they don't take work or call back. That stuff is no more than an attempt to look good.

There were jobs I most-certainly didn't take that were offered to me. I can remember most of them because they fit in a couple categories: 1) we didn't take jobs that asked us to cut corners (pretty much all comes down to liability issues), 2) we couldn't take jobs for folks that couldn't pay (yes, that sucked to spend a few hours to find out the the person/people were dreamers), and 3) we didn't take jobs that were out of our specialty. For example, a guy we framed a custom home for wanted a mile or-so of fencing around a horse property. It could've been good $ but we weren't fence guys. I remember calling an acquaintance whose father owned a fence company and gave him the info because I'd seen their work and knew their reputation. Like two weeks later, I saw their trucks at the property. Probably a month or two later the owner stopped by our job site with a 12-pack and few bags of chips. The guys were psyched at the end of the day. Then, probably 6 months later, we did a wrap-around deck for the company owner. I was the only bid.

So, point is, work is out there for those wanting to work. Unfortunately, you have to make a few phone calls to get that work.

 

[JimVonBaden]

This is pure BS, you know that, right? I've framed over a 100 residential homes (probably 40-50% custom) and we'd be busting *** all day and then I'd sit down and put together a bid. Half (or maybe more) of the time I the lumber yard had a couple folks in their office that did a decent portion of that work because they'd offer that to us. And, they'd do more (I'm quite sure) if that meant retaining me as their customer. So, bids, as much as they sucked because I wanted to be out in the boat, weren't always horrible because I had help.

We did commercial work, too, but there's headaches that come along with commercial jobs - just like anything else.

When a small finish job or a deck/dock job came up there was always the understanding made clear that we'd fit those jobs in or I had 2 different buddies we could send the work to. It went either way and I was fine with that because it was important to me that if I didn't get the job, a buddy did. That would come right back around because when I decided to get my **** back into school, I didn't even need to advertise for work. I had enough smaller jobs coming out of my ears all from guys I had given work to. I may have made more money then, actually.

Another thing is, the small jobs are gravy, especially for a crew of decent guys. When there was time in-between, the guys had work to do. There were times when we'd split off and guys would be drying in a house and we'd knock out a small job. Some of those small jobs lead to decent paying remodels, window jobs, etc. But, I had to hustle. I was always on the dang phone. I was looking at jobs after work, on the weekends, rainy days, freezing mornings, etc.

So, when I hear bunk like written above, I know - for a fact that -that you were either not in control as a legit GC or business dwindled away because you're in the same group the OP is talking about.

I know MI has been hit pretty hard over the years but I'd bet a paycheck that the guy that was always willing to take 2 minutes to make a call back had more work to do than the guy that said "I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties."

Some people have a nice story to why they don't take work or call back. That stuff is no more than an attempt to look good.

There were jobs I most-certainly didn't take that were offered to me. I can remember most of them because they fit in a couple categories: 1) we didn't take jobs that asked us to cut corners (pretty much all comes down to liability issues), 2) we couldn't take jobs for folks that couldn't pay (yes, that sucked to spend a few hours to find out the the person/people were dreamers), and 3) we didn't take jobs that were out of our specialty. For example, a guy we framed a custom home for wanted a mile or-so of fencing around a horse property. It could've been good $ but we weren't fence guys. I remember calling an acquaintance whose father owned a fence company and gave him the info because I'd seen their work and knew their reputation. Like two weeks later, I saw their trucks at the property. Probably a month or two later the owner stopped by our job site with a 12-pack and few bags of chips. The guys were psyched at the end of the day. Then, probably 6 months later, we did a wrap-around deck for the company owner. I was the only bid.

So, point is, work is out there for those wanting to work. Unfortunately, you have to make a few phone calls to get that work.

 

[kelpaso1]

And standing in a contractors shoes, I really only want the best and easiest and most profitable customers. And regular commercial ones fit the bill best.

Construction is a boom and bust business, so I will take advantage of the boom. Don't even know if I'll be in business for the next one, so I'll kick small potato customers to the curb. I will probably never run into you again anyway.

So don't take it personally. I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties.

Bill

Now, knowing this, what can you do to make yourself a customer that I need?

And this is the problem with many contractors these days, is attitudes like this

This summer I fixed a contractors compactor. Since I need my ceiling in my garage drywalled, I asked for the number of his drywall guys. They came by, we agreed on $500. Haven't seen, nor heard from them again. If they come by in the next couple months and want to do the job because times are slow I'm gonna tell them to pound sand

 

[bczygan]

This is pure BS, you know that, right? I've framed over a 100 residential homes (probably 40-50% custom) and we'd be busting *** all day and then I'd sit down and put together a bid. Half (or maybe more) of the time I the lumber yard had a couple folks in their office that did a decent portion of that work because they'd offer that to us. And, they'd do more (I'm quite sure) if that meant retaining me as their customer. So, bids, as much as they sucked because I wanted to be out in the boat, weren't always horrible because I had help.

We did commercial work, too, but there's headaches that come along with commercial jobs - just like anything else.

When a small finish job or a deck/dock job came up there was always the understanding made clear that we'd fit those jobs in or I had 2 different buddies we could send the work to. It went either way and I was fine with that because it was important to me that if I didn't get the job, a buddy did. That would come right back around because when I decided to get my **** back into school, I didn't even need to advertise for work. I had enough smaller jobs coming out of my ears all from guys I had given work to. I may have made more money then, actually.

Another thing is, the small jobs are gravy, especially for a crew of decent guys. When there was time in-between, the guys had work to do. There were times when we'd split off and guys would be drying in a house and we'd knock out a small job. Some of those small jobs lead to decent paying remodels, window jobs, etc. But, I had to hustle. I was always on the dang phone. I was looking at jobs after work, on the weekends, rainy days, freezing mornings, etc.

So, when I hear bunk like written above, I know - for a fact that -that you were either not in control as a legit GC or business dwindled away because you're in the same group the OP is talking about.

I know MI has been hit pretty hard over the years but I'd bet a paycheck that the guy that was always willing to take 2 minutes to make a call back had more work to do than the guy that said "I just don't have the time or inclination for the niceties."

Some people have a nice story to why they don't take work or call back. That stuff is no more than an attempt to look good.

There were jobs I most-certainly didn't take that were offered to me. I can remember most of them because they fit in a couple categories: 1) we didn't take jobs that asked us to cut corners (pretty much all comes down to liability issues), 2) we couldn't take jobs for folks that couldn't pay (yes, that sucked to spend a few hours to find out the the person/people were dreamers), and 3) we didn't take jobs that were out of our specialty. For example, a guy we framed a custom home for wanted a mile or-so of fencing around a horse property. It could've been good $ but we weren't fence guys. I remember calling an acquaintance whose father owned a fence company and gave him the info because I'd seen their work and knew their reputation. Like two weeks later, I saw their trucks at the property. Probably a month or two later the owner stopped by our job site with a 12-pack and few bags of chips. The guys were psyched at the end of the day. Then, probably 6 months later, we did a wrap-around deck for the company owner. I was the only bid.

So, point is, work is out there for those wanting to work. Unfortunately, you have to make a few phone calls to get that work.

Brent,
What I do know, and the reason I wrote that example of a sub's attitude, is that there are all kinds of subcontractors. I've seen them all. I've been the GC who had to sort them out. Mostly, we developed a list of regulars.

My main point, is that in improving economic times, like right now, availability of good subs goes down. There has been attrition during the recession and new startups aren't experienced yet. And all the wannabe's are out there. It's only going to get worse, so the client or owner or GC is going to have to do a lot more work to find a good contractor, and he's going to have to work to be a more desirable client.

One builder I worked for would only build during recessions, as then he could get the best for the least money. And then almost everyone was more willing to return a call and show up.

Bill

 

[openwheelracing88]

Also, it doesn't take more than 5 minutes to setup a voice mail indicating to potential customers that the crew is "booked solid for the next 12 months so unless you are Uncle Sam or Donald Trump please don't bother leaving a message".

 

[joes169]

Also, it doesn't take more than 5 minutes to setup a voice mail indicating to potential customers that the crew is "booked solid for the next 12 months so unless you are Uncle Sam or Donald Trump please don't bother leaving a message".

I've actually done something similar in the past, and was amazed how many potential customers didn't think it applied to them. Most seem to think they have a job that is simply to sweet to pass up, apparently.

I do the same thing when I go on a week long vacation in Summer on my cell phone, literally leave a message that says "please don't leave a message unless it is an absolute emergency, as I have limited cell phone service for the week". That doesn't stop a ew people from leaving messages, and then getting upset when they don't hear back from me for a week +.

I feel for the OP, but will say this, w/o knowing a whole lot about the class of people he's calling. I'm sure concrete is a seasonal job in WV due to the winter. Crews probably just finished wrapping up or the year and are burned out. If you try them in a few weeks, or even a month or so, you may get better results. I know, personally, after a long fall like we had this year, I'm not ready to run all over and spend time on free estimates in the begining of January, as exterior concrete is the last thing on my mind at this point. Right now, my priorities shift to taking a breather, making hte family dinner, picking the kids up from school, etc....

Best of luck.

 

[NC-Shaun]

After reading all of the most recent posts I wanna point out a few things.

1. WV is definitely not in an economic UP turn. So thats NOT the cause.

2. I DEFINITELY have made it clear that no corners will be cut, concrete prep,rebar,compaction,etc.....I also insisted on 16 centers on everything. Got tired of contractors trying to talk me into pole buildings too.....

3. Money isnt an issue for me, although I did get some idiot that tried to quote me 100k for my garage.....LOL I guess thats the I dont wanna do it price. I know what the job is worth and have no problem paying for good work.

 

[NC-Shaun]

And this is the problem with many contractors these days, is attitudes like this

This summer I fixed a contractors compactor. Since I need my ceiling in my garage drywalled, I asked for the number of his drywall guys. They came by, we agreed on $500. Haven't seen, nor heard from them again. If they come by in the next couple months and want to do the job because times are slow I'm gonna tell them to pound sand

Yep, I never forget when someone does this.....I know a LOT of people and make sure to expose these jokers every chance I get.