Contractor Issues

[teal95]

Mostly just me whining and wishing things worked better. I had a lot of issues getting my shop built (30x30 with in-law suite upstairs). Caught the first contractor returning excess materials and pocketing the money then found out he didn't have a license. He claimed the license was his uncle's and being as they stepped in I'm guessing it was. The uncle was based an hour away so he didn't have subcontractors here so things drug out and I ended up finishing when they quit showing up. I came out ahead money-wise but I'm still finishing it 18 months after starting.

I'm now attempting to get a pole barn built for storage. I have contacted contractor M, contractor C and the local lumberyard does it as a package. I got bids relatively quickly from M and lumberyard but waited almost 2 weeks for C. And I'm on a time line because I sold my house to my brother and I need to get my cars out. C comes back $10k high, the other 2 are pretty close. Ok, go with M. M was available in 2-4 weeks but now it's the first of the year. The lumberyard is also saying no earlier than mid December and M is about $2500 cheaper. I'll wait 2 weeks for $2500. I contact him Monday and he says he'll get back to me later this week with a better idea on the schedule. It's 11% week at Menard's so this is $1500 of the difference so I need a plan. I contact him this evening and after an hour I get a terse response that he told me "Spring". I feel like forwarding his texts back to him (I reread them to make sure I wasn't mistaken) but what's the point. Being as I have lost 2 more weeks I'm guessing the lumberyard will now say February or March. Ugh.

I don't think I've been pushy or demanding. I've ended up hiring and dealing with the plumber and electrician myself and haven't had any issues. The electrician is coming out tomorrow to hook up the mini-split for the shop. I had him hang the panels and when I asked him about wiring the shop his response was something along the line of "I have more work than I know what to do with and it sounds like you can do it. Call me if you have questions." Which I've done a couple of times.

Just frustrated at the delays. At least I learned how M plays with schedules before I signed anything.

steve

 

[jimindm]

Sounds like the other two bid other work and got it.

Could have been that 2-4 weeks then, but a few weeks later, and more work lined up, it is longer now.

 

[never enuf time]

Anybody thats decent wont be able to start right away.

I did 5 bids this week, & have 1 more to do.

Whats my schedule ? I have no idea how many of those jobs I will get.

I had a lady send me a draw that I didn't ask for.

Everyday that you wait could put you back weeks or months

If you want them to do the work, lock them in with a deposit.

 

[jetnow1]

Don't know about Michigan but here every contractor I know is booked several months out, and the fall has always been busy as people want things done before the holidays and before the winter weather. If you find a contractor who can start immediately be sure you do your due diligence as there is usually a good reason they don't have work.

 

[Hollywood D]

My 24x30 has been a slow process. The sub contractors doing the work, all worked quickly, just getting them out there has been a waiting game. The concrete guys set the forms but didn't pour until almost 2 weeks after that. Lumber and roof trusses were delivered and sat for 3 weeks until the framers made it out. The fastest guys were the roofers. Still waiting on the overhead door. I'm competing with everyone else's jobs so I have to wait until they're done with some other job and they get to mine. And the guy after me is doing the same thing. *****, but like everyone else said, that's the way it goes when you're competing with other schedules.

 

[teal95]

My biggest issue is being up front. If M had said spring, ok. But when he's says end of the year, then implies maybe I can squeeze you in, then acts pissed and says spring when I ask for an update on the time he said he would know better I'm not happy. At least now I know I don't want to deal with him.

The annoying part is with a little bit of help I'd do it myself.

 

[brownbagg]

every since the new government appointment, we got more work than we ca do. we have hired 33 new people this year.construction is busy right now