Fed Up with lazy no show contractors

[NC-Shaun]

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.

Sad and true

 

[metalmagpie]

Uh, did you try the carpenter's union?

metalmagpie

 

[ard]

Mods, please let this thread stay alive for a bit and I will submit it for deletion within a week.

OT a bit...

I'm new ish here...what s the policy on this stuff? Does a thread "belong" to the person that starts it? Or does it become the 'work product' of the community as they contribute content?

I lean to the latter....but thought I'd ask those who have been here longer.

(Of course assuming no issues with content....)

 

[RocketScott]

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.

Apparently you don't, because your not getting it done.

Without seeing your plan I have no idea if the guy that gave you the 100k bid was saying "I don't want to do it" or not.

Going back to your first post, you had ONE guy not show up. The rest didn't respond for whatever reason. If they are anything like me they are slammed right now. I'm a contractor and I can't always get other contractors to call me back. Could be the fact that you're a homeowner. I don't work for homeowners. I only work for other GCs. The very rare times I do work for a homeowner I tack on a 15% contracting fee that a builder would because I know I'm going to be doing extra work on top of my regular scope of work. A lot of subs won't even bother because there is so much other work with less hassle. Notice I didn't say "easy money".

 

[southalabama]

I've got a buddy that's a contractor. He pisses a lot of people off by telling them what it would cost for him to do an estimate. If he gets the job the price will be reduced by that amount. His logic was this. He works all day. If he did every free estimate that people asked that would be a full time job. He has plenty of work. He simply isn't interested in spending hours for free to maybe get the job by bidding against over contractors.

If they aren't calling you back they don't need the work. If they aren't showing up then they aren't good at business communications so do you really want them?

I've bought tools and taken on jobs because I couldn't get reliable contractors. I hate Sheetrock but bought the hopper and did knockdown in an office building. I got tired of guys not showing up. I talked to my buddy and he explained it like this. The good sheetrock guys are busy. They work for general contractors. I was offering them a one time job but the GC would continue to send them business. They didn't have time for me. Anyone independent I could get probably wasn't reliable. There are concrete crews here that you can only get if they aren't working for the big guys.

 

[Blue]

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. The guys that are good, don't need to advertise, and work on word-of-mouth.

Also, agreed that there is no excuse for someone making an appointment and not showing, or promising to do an estimate and then dropping off the face of the earth.

But for all the folks who never returned your calls, I can't say I blame them. Nothing against you, I'm sure you'd be a good customer. However, have you ever seen the George Carlin skit where he explains "how dumb the average person is?" As in, think of how dumb the average person is, and realize that 1/2 of the population is even dumber than that?

If I were a good contractor, I'd hate to have to deal with getting business via the phone book, or advertising. I feel like it would be a never-ending stream of "dumb people," with unrealistic expectations about time, price, quality, or all three.

This is why you have to go by word of mouth.

 

[Jeepster04]

Just off the top of my head, between my father and myself Ive only seen 1 contractor that did a fantastic job. It was a concrete contractor that poured his driveway.

Other than that, and I dont mean this in a self satisfying way, but the only other jobs that were done correctly were done by us. Good contractors around here, as many others have said, either dont exist or look for bigger/longer lasting projects.

Few months back I was looking for someone to level off a spot for a garage (level, ha!). We have a contractor at work that does excavating work and hes really good. Told me to give him a shout if I ever needed any work done, so I did. Shows up on time, makes me feel like he is going to get right on it and I felt like he would do a good job from watching him at work. Weeks go by and he just disappears. Wont answer his phone, his wife answers sometimes and says she'll relay the message. Ended up finding someone else to do the work and its about 1' off level... I should have never trusted someone to get something level... Anyway.... I see the guy at work a month or so later and he tells me a family member was sick. Like everyone else, why cant you just let me know. Even a text, 'hey, I cant do the work.' Maybe a family member was really sick, idk...

 

[bczygan]

I see that this thread is mostly a rant and counter rant.

And the OP has a bit of attitude.

That's good. He has standards. Hopefully he can find a contractor who is of like mind and attitude.

It won't be easy though. Companies develop their list of trusted contractors over time. For a purchasing agent, it is one of his most valuable assets.

For a homeowner, who is doing a one off project, it is almost impossible to find out who is who, or to break into the list of qualified contractors.

I used to have my own list, but it's been years, and I have no idea who I'd hire for any trade now.

I will suggest that the OP, or anyone else for that matter, take a detailed approach to finding subs.

First, don't hit the phone book, except to look for companies who can refer you to others. Find small GC's that do quality work and ask who they use.

Go to jobsites of quality projects and find out who is doing the work. Talk to project managers and construction managers.

Talk to other subs on these sites. Subs love to talk about each other.

This is also a chance to find out what constitutes good work.

On bigger jobsites, talk to the crew foreman for a particular trade. He may do smaller jobs on the side.

When gauging a crew, make sure the crew you are getting is the one doing the work you saw. Some contractors have an A crew and a B crew, or will pick up new guys for your job.

There's lots more, but you get the idea. It's a lot of work to get good subs. That's why they pay well for people who can do it, as I did for some time.

So if you need some, get out there and do the work, and quit complaining. That doesn't get you anywhere.

Bill

 

[krcoomer]

I see that this thread is mostly a rant and counter rant.

And the OP has a bit of attitude.

That's good. He has standards. Hopefully he can find a contractor who is of like mind and attitude.

It won't be easy though. Companies develop their list of trusted contractors over time. For a purchasing agent, it is one of his most valuable assets.

For a homeowner, who is doing a one off project, it is almost impossible to find out who is who, or to break into the list of qualified contractors.

I used to have my own list, but it's been years, and I have no idea who I'd hire for any trade now.

I will suggest that the OP, or anyone else for that matter, take a detailed approach to finding subs.

First, don't hit the phone book, except to look for companies who can refer you to others. Find small GC's that do quality work and ask who they use.

Go to jobsites of quality projects and find out who is doing the work. Talk to project managers and construction managers.

Talk to other subs on these sites. Subs love to talk about each other.

This is also a chance to find out what constitutes good work.

On bigger jobsites, talk to the crew foreman for a particular trade. He may do smaller jobs on the side.

When gauging a crew, make sure the crew you are getting is the one doing the work you saw. Some contractors have an A crew and a B crew, or will pick up new guys for your job.

There's lots more, but you get the idea. It's a lot of work to get good subs. That's why they pay well for people who can do it, as I did for some time.

So if you need some, get out there and do the work, and quit complaining. That doesn't get you anywhere.

Bill

Bill gives good advice. To add to his advice and help you start your own network, find a contractor in any trade who has done good work for you, a friend, coworker, etc. Ask them who they would use. If you get a blank stare or an "I don't know", move on. I use an electrician who does work for another client and borrowed my ladder one day. We spent an hour talking and working together and have each referred work to the other. The electrician I used before did some work for my brother in law's employer when I was looking for an electrician. He was more of an industrial electrician who couldn't keep up with the small jobs I was sending him. Still a guy I would call, but not the first or even second name I would give you.

The plumber we refer people to has sent more window and roof jobs to us because someone asks about windows or roofs while he is replacing a faucet or water heater. BTW, he has been in their house multiple times because he returns calls, has been in business for many years and is the kind of guy people trust with a key to their house. Guess who I will tell you to call if you tell me you need a plumber. I gave his number to a distraught lady in Lowes and had a thank you call for getting him the job before I left the store when the Lowes water heater sub couldn't take care of the job for another day. Mike worked a little later that night, the customer had hot water and he had another person who will call him first next time. Pass on the name of whatever contractor you end up using and make sure the person you refer drops your name for the good service they gave you so you may be able to get the same next time.

Good luck!

 

[lakeroadster]

.....

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.

.....

Call or visit the concrete plant once it reopens and talk with the QA guy. Ask him who runs the mix plant. Write down his name and when you talk to him tell him about your project and ask him for his help as to who he would recommend as the top 3 contractors in the area for such work.

He will know who has their act together, and who doesn't. He works with them on a regular basis.

Then when you call the contractors, tell them that you were talking to "___" at the mix plant and he said I should call you.

It worked for me.

 

[-Brent-]

I see that this thread is mostly a rant and counter rant.

And the OP has a bit of attitude.

That's good. He has standards. Hopefully he can find a contractor who is of like mind and attitude.

It won't be easy though. Companies develop their list of trusted contractors over time. For a purchasing agent, it is one of his most valuable assets.

For a homeowner, who is doing a one off project, it is almost impossible to find out who is who, or to break into the list of qualified contractors.

I used to have my own list, but it's been years, and I have no idea who I'd hire for any trade now.

I will suggest that the OP, or anyone else for that matter, take a detailed approach to finding subs.

First, don't hit the phone book, except to look for companies who can refer you to others. Find small GC's that do quality work and ask who they use.

Go to jobsites of quality projects and find out who is doing the work. Talk to project managers and construction managers.

Talk to other subs on these sites. Subs love to talk about each other.

This is also a chance to find out what constitutes good work.

On bigger jobsites, talk to the crew foreman for a particular trade. He may do smaller jobs on the side.

When gauging a crew, make sure the crew you are getting is the one doing the work you saw. Some contractors have an A crew and a B crew, or will pick up new guys for your job.

There's lots more, but you get the idea. It's a lot of work to get good subs. That's why they pay well for people who can do it, as I did for some time.

So if you need some, get out there and do the work, and quit complaining. That doesn't get you anywhere.

Bill

You've bugged me a bit in this thread because it really seems you're talking out of your @$$. I don't usually call people out - but more than anything it seems like you're the one "adjusting the tone" here. I get it, you're a pro... although your history proves otherwise. AND yes, the OP has "an attitude" he says it's a rant from the outset. It's frustrating not getting call backs nut it's the no-shows that have him frustrated.

You haven't listed one realistic approach. This is a regular consumer whom, like 99% of folks uses numbers provided in the "yellow pages."

Imagine being on a job site and some guy walking up to one of your crew and picking his brain about who to get to do some job. Unreal.

... find a contractor in any trade who has done good work for you, a friend, coworker, etc. Ask them who they would use.

I'd much rather go this route. As well, perhaps go straight to the supplier of materials. We've gotten calls/jobs from lumber yard recommends. I got a mason and a decent tile setter recommend from our tile supplier. The electrician I got, over this summer, came recommended by both a glass company manager and a roofer. And, I have done better with that route than taking my chances with the phone book, Google, etc.

 

[-Brent-]

Call or visit the concrete plant once it reopens and talk with the QA guy. Ask him who runs the mix plant. Write down his name and when you talk to him tell him about your project and ask him for his help as to who he would recommend as the top 3 contractors in the area for such work.

He will know who has their act together, and who doesn't. He works with them on a regular basis.

Then when you call the contractors, tell them that you were talking to "___" at the mix plant and he said I should call you.

It worked for me.

This is a smart approach. The same can be done at the lumber yard. They'll have a commercial sales person that's been on job sites who can and will suggest a few names. Do the same as LakeRoadster mentions.

 

[Stevedore]

As a homeowner who is somewhat skilled in DIY home improvement jobs, I can understand that "professionals" have objectives which are vastly different from mine. But if you're too busy with bigger jobs to want my small job, just call back & leave a 60 second message telling me that.

We had our our humble home vinyl sided quite a few years ago. I had called about 4 local places to get estimates. 3 showed up as scheduled, & we chose one of them & proceeded with the job.

The 4th started calling back & leaving messages about a month or so later, after our job was done. I guess they had a lull in business & were looking for work. I let them keep calling & leaving messages for a couple of months before finally answering & telling them the job was done. THE GUY WAS OFFENDED/INSULTED THAT I DIDN'T WAIT FOR HIS PRICE!

On a related note, I have NEVER in my 70 year old adult life had a job done by a "professional" that was done as well as I would have done (and have done) myself. My guess is that they're just too busy to do a decent job.

And as long as I'm on a rant: Regarding our siding job, what's the deal with pricing? Every one of them gave us a price, then a "30-day" price, then a "today price". I mean like, "our price is $42,000, but if you do this within 30 days, we can do it for $35,000. If you want to sign today, I can do it for $28,000." Those are not exaggerations, by the way. I told them I was comparing multiple offers, and I would put them down as $42,000. Then it was "Hummina, hummina, hummina, wait, wait, I think I can extend that $28,000 for a few months. Maybe even better." Scumbags.

 

[justanengineer]

JMO but homeowners need to realize that "no quotes" are commonplace in every trade and no-quotes for new customers is usually a no-call. Its nothing personal, the guy isnt being rude no matter how you perceive it, its simply common business practice. I've been on both sides of quotes from literally pennies up to a couple million and the simple reality is that customers are a royal PITA, especially the public. Good contractors often put in horrendous hours and while you might not mind, many folks get pissy if you call after 5pm, get seriously offended if you turn them down, give sob stories, argue prices, and all manner of other nonsense. Call or email them details and let it be, they've got reasons for not wanting the work and getting upset is pointless. If you really want to get through, mention another customer/friend/acquaintance of theirs referred you.

 

[Casey69]

homeowners need to realize that "no quotes" are commonplace in every trade and no-quotes for new customers is usually a no-call...the simple reality is that customers are a royal PITA, especially the public.

LOL - & that's the problem with the trades.

most lowly homeowners work in businesses where ignoring "PITA" customers or potential customers would get them in some serious trouble.

 

[amalik]

Wasn't angies list made for this reason? Hell. Im no one to comment. Ive been through 3 horrible contractors. One was a friend, one was an ******* who took my money and ran, i hope he gets cancer and dies.

Sent from my LGMS428 using Tapatalk

 

[lakeroadster]

the simple reality is that customers are a royal PITA, especially the public.

Your recurring theme.. customers are a PITA .. you love saying that don't you

There simply is no civility left in the world.

If you're in business, and somebody calls your business for a quote, the least you can do is call them back and tell them it's a no-quote, and maybe even recommend another contractor.

It's called civility, and, it's gone for the most part.

 

[-Brent-]

To be fair, the OP is talking about No-Shows. Those guys have no integrity if they're setting appointments and not making any attempt to recommit/reschedule prior to missing the meeting time or in many cases blowing off the potential customer (who's wanting to hire them). It's beyond frustrating to be left waiting.

 

[aka Larry]

I've had issues with contractors not calling me back as well. Back in '08 when the economy was in the *******, I wanted to get a man door installed in my attached garage. Pretty quick and easy money for someone experienced, but I never could get a single one to call me back. I thought people needed the work back then, but I guess I was wrong.

By contrast, I recently had a small section of chain-link fence installed in the back yard. The second guy I called, I left a VM, and he called me back 5 minutes later. He scheduled an appointment for the next day, and showed up...on time! I gave him the job and it was done fast. The only problem was the gate wasn't installed correctly as the gap too large, and my dogs could get out. I thought he would have contacted me to see if I was happy with the work, but he didn't, so I held on to the payment. When he finally contacted me about the payment I told him about the issue and mentioned that was my only leverage to get it fixed. He agreed, had it fixed it the next day, and I paid him on the spot. I'd still recommend him to others, even with the issue, because at least he could return a phone call and show up to an appointment on time.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Well I'll jump in here as a contractor myself. I would say 95% of my business is referral work from previous clients. I do mostly residential work maybe up to 30% commercial work in any given year. I have a website and a big sticker on my truck but still my work comes from people seeing my finished work at an acquaintances house... My best advise? Ask neighbors for recommendations (and at all cost avoid Home Advisor and Angie's List like the plague! These 'services' offer nothing and send you the least qualified people in our industry. Then they post fraudulent reviews of any contractor that refuses to basically pay them a bribe).

Am I busy? Yes. If I were to quote you a bathroom remodel today, I couldn't start it until mid-March. If the O.P. called me for his garage quote, I would show up, but it would have to be in the evening or on a Saturday. I would want a xerox of his plans or specs and I would put the cost of drawing up stamped plans in my quote if needed. I would also refer my asphalt guy to him. A week or two later I would send out a quote.

If my quote is accepted, I would then expect a very small deposit to get on my schedule ($50.00 refundable) and then a week before I start I will need to get money for materials and enough to pay my workers wages for the first week or so of the job. Then either payment upon completion or in installments depending on the scope of the work. You would be surprised how many people don't want to pay anything up front!

I'll also give him a copy of my insurance certificate, my State licence, and I will give a copy of my bonding agreement so he knows I won't steal his deposit and go on a vacation in Mexico. Finally, I'll guarantee my work for at least one year.

BUT I will not be the cheapest guy in town and I may even decide I don't want the work if I feel the O.P. is just fishing for an estimate to see if the guy he already chose is in the right price range (happens a lot!). I turn down maybe one or two potential customers a year because I get a bad feeling from them. Maybe I think they will not pay or that they will be way to needy. Maybe I just don't like them.



As to the other point mentioned in this thread, that DIY workmanship is always better than a professionals workmanship. Really? Wow! I am not a prideful individual and I know that I occasionally do things incorrectly but I have never come across DIY work that I would call 'Spectacular' or even 'Acceptable' and I have seen very little that would pass even a basic city inspection. DIY work often does look good on the outside but it is what is behind the walls that never ceases to amaze me.

If these DIY guys are so great, why are they hiring a contractor in the first place?? Sorry I guess I'm getting a little defensive!

 

[K13]

To be fair, the OP is talking about No-Shows. Those guys have no integrity if they're setting appointments and not making any attempt to recommit/reschedule prior to missing the meeting time or in many cases blowing off the potential customer (who's wanting to hire them). It's beyond frustrating to be left waiting.

He may have put no shows in his title but he had one no show according to his original post. His rant is about guys not getting back to him.

 

[Movover]

By contrast, I recently had a small section of chain-link fence installed in the back yard. The second guy I called, I left a VM, and he called me back 5 minutes later. He scheduled an appointment for the next day, and showed up...on time! I gave him the job and it was done fast. The only problem was the gate wasn't installed correctly as the gap too large, and my dogs could get out. I thought he would have contacted me to see if I was happy with the work, but he didn't, so I held on to the payment. When he finally contacted me about the payment I told him about the issue and mentioned that was my only leverage to get it fixed. He agreed, had it fixed it the next day, and I paid him on the spot. I'd still recommend him to others, even with the issue, because at least he could return a phone call and show up to an appointment on time.

So being in the retail/service field my question is if you had a problem did you extend out to him and let him know of your dissatisfaction with the job before holding the payment? I tell my clients all the time if you have a problem you need to LET ME know otherwise I cant fix it, I can check in in a few weeks or a month later if I am busy. But in that time the person is just stewing about the improper job and they tell everyone they meet how that are waiting for a call from XYZ for a problem they have no idea about. Sometimes you have to voice your issues then if he didn't come right back out or offer a solution you can hold the payment

 

[creativecars]

Key= Communication, both sides of the fence.

 

[openwheelracing88]

...



As to the other point mentioned in this thread, that DIY workmanship is always better than a professionals workmanship. Really? Wow! I am not a prideful individual and I know that I occasionally do things incorrectly but I have never come across DIY work that I would call 'Spectacular' or even 'Acceptable' and I have seen very little that would pass even a basic city inspection. DIY work often does look good on the outside but it is what is behind the walls that never ceases to amaze me.

If these DIY guys are so great, why are they hiring a contractor in the first place?? Sorry I guess I'm getting a little defensive!

Great insight from a contractor.

But, really? You have never come across DIY work that you would call "spectacular" or even "acceptable"? Never? There are a lot of handy engineers and accountants capable of doing great work. I can change oil as well as a Jiffy Lube tech, but I don't think a Jiffy Lube tech can claim he changes oil better than all DIYers....

 

[aka Larry]

Great insight from a contractor.

But, really? You have never come across DIY work that you would call "spectacular" or even "acceptable"? Never? There are a lot of handy engineers and accountants capable of doing great work.

No doubt. I've seen some damn spectacular work posted by DIYers here on GJ.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I have handed out FOUR sets of spec sheets to FOUR "General Contractors" The one that quoted me 100k for a job that should be HALF that did so over the phone without even looking at the site.

Now I am getting the same runaround for the driveway and havent even gotten ONE estimate to say yes or no to out of 4 or 5 pavement companies. Keep in mind, no paving is being done this time of year in this area. So the ONLY work the pavement companies have now is estimates and lining up next seasons work.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I see that this thread is mostly a rant and counter rant.

And the OP has a bit of attitude.

That's good. He has standards. Hopefully he can find a contractor who is of like mind and attitude.

Really? Because I expect people to show up? Wow, I just dont get your mindset, of course that doesnt surprise me either. I have made ALOT of money because lazy people with bad attitudes pissed off potential big money long term clients.

As far as me having an attitude? I respected your opinion and provided a respectable and honest reply. I did post up here to get perspective and thats not possible if I dont listen to what you all have to say.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Well I'll jump in here as a contractor myself. I would say 95% of my business is referral work from previous clients. I do mostly residential work maybe up to 30% commercial work in any given year. I have a website and a big sticker on my truck but still my work comes from people seeing my finished work at an acquaintances house... My best advise? Ask neighbors for recommendations (and at all cost avoid Home Advisor and Angie's List like the plague! These 'services' offer nothing and send you the least qualified people in our industry. Then they post fraudulent reviews of any contractor that refuses to basically pay them a bribe).

Am I busy? Yes. If I were to quote you a bathroom remodel today, I couldn't start it until mid-March. If the O.P. called me for his garage quote, I would show up, but it would have to be in the evening or on a Saturday. I would want a xerox of his plans or specs and I would put the cost of drawing up stamped plans in my quote if needed. I would also refer my asphalt guy to him. A week or two later I would send out a quote.

If my quote is accepted, I would then expect a very small deposit to get on my schedule ($50.00 refundable) and then a week before I start I will need to get money for materials and enough to pay my workers wages for the first week or so of the job. Then either payment upon completion or in installments depending on the scope of the work. You would be surprised how many people don't want to pay anything up front!

I'll also give him a copy of my insurance certificate, my State licence, and I will give a copy of my bonding agreement so he knows I won't steal his deposit and go on a vacation in Mexico. Finally, I'll guarantee my work for at least one year.

BUT I will not be the cheapest guy in town and I may even decide I don't want the work if I feel the O.P. is just fishing for an estimate to see if the guy he already chose is in the right price range (happens a lot!). I turn down maybe one or two potential customers a year because I get a bad feeling from them. Maybe I think they will not pay or that they will be way to needy. Maybe I just don't like them.



As to the other point mentioned in this thread, that DIY workmanship is always better than a professionals workmanship. Really? Wow! I am not a prideful individual and I know that I occasionally do things incorrectly but I have never come across DIY work that I would call 'Spectacular' or even 'Acceptable' and I have seen very little that would pass even a basic city inspection. DIY work often does look good on the outside but it is what is behind the walls that never ceases to amaze me.

If these DIY guys are so great, why are they hiring a contractor in the first place?? Sorry I guess I'm getting a little defensive!

Everything you said makes perfect sense to me.

Although I know how to do alot of things, building a structure, and doing concrete, and paving is not on my skillset list.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Call or visit the concrete plant once it reopens and talk with the QA guy. Ask him who runs the mix plant. Write down his name and when you talk to him tell him about your project and ask him for his help as to who he would recommend as the top 3 contractors in the area for such work.

He will know who has their act together, and who doesn't. He works with them on a regular basis.

Then when you call the contractors, tell them that you were talking to "___" at the mix plant and he said I should call you.

It worked for me.

 

[NC-Shaun]

JMO but homeowners need to realize that "no quotes" are commonplace in every trade and no-quotes for new customers is usually a no-call. Its nothing personal, the guy isnt being rude no matter how you perceive it, its simply common business practice. I've been on both sides of quotes from literally pennies up to a couple million and the simple reality is that customers are a royal PITA, especially the public. Good contractors often put in horrendous hours and while you might not mind, many folks get pissy if you call after 5pm, get seriously offended if you turn them down, give sob stories, argue prices, and all manner of other nonsense. Call or email them details and let it be, they've got reasons for not wanting the work and getting upset is pointless. If you really want to get through, mention another customer/friend/acquaintance of theirs referred you.

LOL - & that's the problem with the trades.

most lowly homeowners work in businesses where ignoring "PITA" customers or potential customers would get them in some serious trouble.

/\

Wow, I must be from another planet. Thanks for replying Casey

 

[NC-Shaun]

To be fair, the OP is talking about No-Shows. Those guys have no integrity if they're setting appointments and not making any attempt to recommit/reschedule prior to missing the meeting time or in many cases blowing off the potential customer (who's wanting to hire them). It's beyond frustrating to be left waiting.

Yes Sir.....Sure is

 

[colt zantop]

We deal with "No-Shows" All the time with our rentals. We were looking for a painter last year, called 4 guys...one showed up after making appointments with all 4. Guess what, that one guy that showed up has now painted 2 exterior garages and 2 interior jobs....in the last 6 months because we respect him for showing up in the beginning . Same thing with a fence guy....we called 3, 2 of 3 set up appointments.....ZERO showed up. So I did it myself for a 3rd of the cost....I does get frustrating.....

 

[NC-Shaun]

We deal with "No-Shows" All the time with our rentals. We were looking for a painter last year, called 4 guys...one showed up after making appointments with all 4. Guess what, that one guy that showed up has now painted 2 exterior garages and 2 interior jobs....in the last 6 months because we respect him for showing up in the beginning . Same thing with a fence guy....we called 3, 2 of 3 set up appointments.....ZERO showed up. So I did it myself for a 3rd of the cost....I does get frustrating.....

Its kind of a double edged sword for me.....If it wasnt for these kinds of lazy people I wouldnt have had my best year ever last season. I was contacted by the Vice President of the largest account I have ever had on Dec 14th wishing me a Happy Holidays and requesting me for next season

On the other hand I run into these issues on my personal projects that I am not equipped to handle and it stunts my big picture plan.

I am strongly considering just dealing with the home I am in and saving every penny to buy a turn key home that checks all the boxes, just to avoid this mess. Leaving my new truck outside for a year sux though.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Just a side note, I respect everyone here which is why I specifically asked for opinions here. Just because I may not agree with your opinion or view doesnt change anything, its still an opinion and assists me in moving forward with a plan.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

But, really? You have never come across DIY work that you would call "spectacular" or even "acceptable"? Never? There are a lot of handy engineers and accountants capable of doing great work. I can change oil as well as a Jiffy Lube tech, but I don't think a Jiffy Lube tech can claim he changes oil better than all DIYers....

No doubt. I've seen some damn spectacular work posted by DIYers here on GJ.

I don't disagree with either of you but I am speaking from my professional point of view. Obviously if a DIYer does his own spectacular work, I'll never be called out to work on something there because I'm not needed - so I'll never see it. Therefore I can say what I said.

I just did a small job at a home of an older widow. She was so proud of all the work her late husband had done over the years. I honestly could write a four page essay describing all the bad, not to code, and downright dangerous DIY work I saw. I had to point out a couple serious safety issues that I felt she ought to have looked at but of course I did my best not to say anything negative about her husbands work.

 

[joes169]

I have handed out FOUR sets of spec sheets to FOUR "General Contractors" The one that quoted me 100k for a job that should be HALF that did so over the phone without even looking at the site.

Now I am getting the same runaround for the driveway and havent even gotten ONE estimate to say yes or no to out of 4 or 5 pavement companies. Keep in mind, no paving is being done this time of year in this area. So the ONLY work the pavement companies have now is estimates and lining up next seasons work.

It sounds like possibly your spec sheet is turning contractors away from the job?

I'm a concrete & masonry contractor, and there have been a few times I've recieved over-bearing, generic ACI specified, internet based specs for a simple residential job. I have generally declined the job, as it's usually a sign that the HO & I are not going to see eye-to-eye over the course of the job. May not be the problem in your case, though. If you want, send me a PM of the scope of work you're handing out & I'll see if there's anything that jumps out at me, and might be a red flag to the contractors you're seeking bids from.

 

[buddyboy]

sounds like all the lazy, pill popping, hillbillies that you want to work for you know one another.

you are the crazy new guy in town.

the fancy boy that wants everything just right.

they all got together and laughed over beers and oxycodone after you got your 100K quote... everytime that 100k quote guy walks in the local bar everyone buys him a drink. especially anyone that used to work on that 22 acres.

these guys all went to school together, they hunt deer together, they are all related to one another, anytime one of them gets a call from a "stranger" they ask around if anyone knows you.

small world gets smaller in hillbilly town.

you need to start calling contractors outside your county, be nice on the phone.

remember you ask people to work for you, not tell them to work for you.

don't say "i'll give you $x" instead say "will you consider taking $x?"

nothing pisses off hillbillies more than some new guy throwing around money for work.

you have to make it sound like they are doing you a favor, not the other way around.

not hating on you, just giving you some advice that might help you out.

when you call these guys first word out of your mouth should be "thank you" next words, "i really need your help, do you have a second to listen to my problem and help me and point me in the right direction?" or "i'd really appreciate it if you're out my way to take a look at what i've got going on and get your opinion on the best way to do it"

people are more apt to help a neighbor in need than a task master cracking a whip.

if you can't (or refuse) treat people like that then you should seriously consider moving. this is how they treat each other and they will not work or socialize with anyone that doesn't respect their ways.


good luck
no hate
just advice

 

[justanengineer]

LOL - & that's the problem with the trades.

most lowly homeowners work in businesses where ignoring "PITA" customers or potential customers would get them in some serious trouble.

I'd wager that most homeowners dont work in retail.

Like it or not, in reality different businesses and industries operate differently. Yes, homeowners could trash talk a business owner as "rude" around church, town, internet boards, etc, and attempt to hurt their business for not calling back, not having an office, not taking walk-ins, giving shop tours, whatever feeds their fancy.....but in reality that only makes the homeowner look foolish as this thread does. 2-3 no-quotes is one thing, 6+ is quite another. If nobody's quoting there's very likely good reason, and thats not a stab at anyone, just simple observation attempting to help having dealt with many similar situations caused by really minor issues. Give a junior engineer, housewife, or even many "handy" guys a complicated print/task to sub and the communication will get screwed and/or assumptions made - fact of life. JMO but rather than gripe and blame others why not re-examine the communications shared, call a few back, and solve the issue? Or is this another case of "six guys on the internet agree all contractors ****, must be true?"

 

[padroo]

Some things you can't do yourself but I do like the option myself. This year I had two contractors at my house to do work for me, the first one painted my back garage but didn't put enough paint on it and the second one was here yesterday to measure a broken thermopane window and will come back to finish the installation at a later date. Most years I don't have anything done.

By the way, my wife paints better than any professional contractor I have ever seen but she is slooow.

 

[ssdave]

No shows are a fact of life in the trades, but I would have to question if there's something else going on here. Seems too systemic to be coincidence.

First place is I'd look at your "spec sheets". Find a friend that does contracting, go down to the local lumberyard and show them to the contractors desk reps, send them to a pro on this board and have them look at them. If they're not plans in the sense that a contractor is used to looking at, they won't bother to look at them, much less give you a realistic bid. If they look like legal documents or government type specifications, they will flag you as a potential problem, and will result in no-bids. If they're overly generic, and amateurish, you might be perceived as high risk and will result in a no-bid. The worst is if you appear as an internet expert that has looked up a whole bunch of things on DIY boards, and amalgamated those things into a set of demands that are outside of the norm that they deal with. Many things that I see recommended here (which is more knowledgeable than most boards) would make GC's avoid taking on work that specified those things.

Or, they may be great plans, exactly what is expected in the industry, and you've just picked 4 duds to give them to. Having a knowledgeable neutral party look at your plans would give you some insight.

If you're from the city and a professional background, and are working in a rural area, the suggestion that one poster had of "hillbilly coercion, could be quite real. Good old boys don't like being told what to do by what they perceive as urban metrosexuals, even if it pays well.