Contractors and cell phones

[Gus68]

Sorry in advance about the rant, but I think all contractors should NOT be alowed to own a cel phone! I am getting my house sided and a new roof put on and also in the process of planing a new garage. I have had to get ahold of my guy doing the house MANY times, and it's always the same thing, &#@^ VOICE MAIL and *%&# phone tag!!!!! If you are gonna have a phone on you, ANSWER THE DAMN THING!!!! If you can't, hire some one who can!!!! And in planing this garage, I was looking for an electrical contractor. I called 8 of them, only two answered the phone! I shouldn't say that, a third actually answered his phone but it was, "Hello, ********what? ***&%%$&% who is this? T&$&^%&^% Im sorry what was that &^(%&$% . I hung up! I played phone tag with the rest, have yet to actually TALK to any of them. I work all day, I am the customer who wants service! I should be able to call you when it is convienient for me NOT you!!!!!!

 

[A_Pmech]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

The funny thing is, once he's on the job you're going to be complaining that he's on his damn phone too much.

Customers... Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

You've had to get ahold of him many times. Maybe he thinks you're being annoying and he's ignoring you ?

 

[fitz11]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

How would they get any work done if they answered the phone all day?

 

[RivennHewn]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

My phone is for MY convenience, not yours.

If you'd like to pay my bill, I'll consider answering your call.

Period.

 

[70redbee]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Have you thought that maybe he has a life too. Getting ahold of him at your convienience and not his. is not fair. If he answers every call, when will he get any work done. Limit your calls to the most important and talk to him about other things when convieient for him.

 

[ddawg16]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Boy....you would have really been pissed in the days before cell phones....back in 'the day', you called the office, left a message with someone....and a day or two later they called you back. In many cases, you were not home when he called back so you ended up playing phone tag....or you just sent a letter.

I chalk this up to the 'instant gratification' generation...

 

[geologist]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

I won a drainage project for a decent sized factory a few years ago. I placed a bid and submitted a full work itinerary for when certain things would be done, along with an estimated completion date. On day 5 of 7, almost everything was completed - all I had to do was straw and seed a couple of small areas where some top soil had been relocated - I get a call...

"Why is this? Where is that? When is this?"

I enjoyed asking the guy to pull out his itinerary (he did) and read exactly what had already been done (updated at the site daily) and then have him call the plant security manager to verify that the itinerary had been followed and that the strawing and seeding was going to occur during 3rd shift when the factory had a skeleton crew doing mostly maintenance. He was irate and hung up on me.

Everything was done a day ahead of schedule. I went into his office to let him know everything was completed. He walked up to me, handed me a check, and slipped another in my shirt pocket.

When I pulled it out, the memo on his PERSONAL check had the following scrawled in it:

"I was an *******. Your work is impeccable."

 

[HiccaBurp]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

The funny thing is, there are companies out there large enough to employee a secretary, field foremen, sale person, etc.. Go ahead, give them a call and get yourself a quote. Then when you go with us because we are 20-50% cheaper.. remember to smile when we don't answer the phone. I'm pretty good about answering, but I'll tell you flat out it's not a good time and I'll call you back later. Usually while I'm driving or taking a break. If your one of those that calls every time you get a whim.. I'll train you and break you of your habit before the end of the second week.

After a couple clients like that.. my contract actually states calls to be limited to emergencies, otherwise emails with questions preferred method, or list kept and gone over either in person, or twice weekly phone calls. If calls become excessive, a charge of $20 per call will be applied. Something like that.. my attorney wrote it up and put it in my contract. I'm not kidding!!!

 

[Zeke]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Jeezus, some tough guys. Call me. I'm here doing **** after 40 years of successful contracting. No, I can't frame up ten walls a day anymore or crawl on my belly like a snake to keep from planting some ugly conduit on the outside, but I still KNOW HOW!

 

[Ign]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

I chalk this up to the 'instant gratification' generation...

This. Leaving a voicemail is part of business. The flip side is that the guy should return your call within (preferably) 24 or (acceptable) 48 hours.

If not, they don't want your business. Stop wasting your time and theirs, move on.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

I used to rely on my phone for business my VM was this "Hi you've reached Wornoutoldman. Today is Friday March 23rd. Sorry I'm not available to take your call right now. I'll be returning calls today between 11 and 11:30 AM and again between 4 and 5 PM if you could leave your name, number and a brief message I'll speak with you at that time." You have to set a customers expectations.

 

[bams50]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Looks like nobody agrees with your position, Gus68. You can add me to that. All the reasons have been properly listed here. It seems you have no idea what it means to be in business. First see what A 'Pmech' said, then 'RivehnHewn' said. Then, when you want him to take on a secretary at an effective cost of $80K or so after all the requirements, see what 'HiccaBurp' said (although I wouldn't hire anybody who goes by the name of 'HiccaBurp'<g>).

I'm not a contractor and never have been, but if a guy has the time to always answer the phone he's not busy, and you have to wonder why that is...

It took me awhile, but I'm a BIG fan of texting for these reasons:

1. You can send one when it's convenient for YOU
2. You can answer one when it's practical to do so
3. You aren't interrupted in the middle of a critical operation (i.e., like lifting a truss)
4. You can send one while you're thinking of it, not having to wait
5. You have a record of the entire conversation to refer to- lessens misunderstandings
6. A lot easier on the nerves than constant phone ringing

When I sell on eBay, I only take e-mail and text questions for all these reasons; but especially #5.

IMO, today's business pro needs a keyboard phone so they can receive and send text messages, just for these reasons.

To insist a businessman take on a secretary with the attendant pay, benefits, comp, state requirements, sick leave, vacations, etc. etc. just to answer the phone makes no sense.

Now, that doesn't mean they don't have to answer their messages. If I leave a message and they can't get back to me within 24 hours, that's a red flag and I just move on.

One last thought- you said "I have had to get ahold of my guy doing the house MANY times", with 'many' in caps. Unless there's an emergency, there should be no reason to call him more than once per day, or even two! It sounds like you're calling WAY too much, and have shown yourself to be annoying and unreasonable, therefore he's managing his time well not constantly answering you. If that's honestly not the case, fine, but if it is, I don't blame him. Think about if that might be the case- and be honest with yourself. Contractors have enough on their plate these days without having to cater to someone who's unreasonable.

Good luck with your projects.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

I did siding for new construction one summer while in college. This was years before cell phones, but when we were working there is no way we would have the time to answer the phone. The developer usually stopped by once or teice a week for a few minutes to check progress and duscuss furure work, and that was about it. The guy is probably trying to get work done so dropping everything to answer the phone every time it rings isn't always possible. Knowing this, I try to limit calls to contractors, because a customer who constantly pull them off of the job to talk costs them money. If you are the type of customer who calls multiple times a day they probably see you as a nuciance customer and dont want your business. The fact that it is happening to you from multiple contractors tells me that you may fall into this catigory.

You may want to ease up on the phone calls a bit.

Burt Rutan(aircraft designer). Actually puts a clause in his contract limiting the number of and duration of calls because he got tired of people pulling him off of work to jibber jabber.


Chris

 

[denis4x4]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

We did an extensive remodel in 1994 and the contractor was extremely lax in staying in touch. We were a 2 hour drive from the site. I paid $750 for a Motorola bag phone and prepaid a year of cell service and gave him the phone. While he cried and bitched, I was able to communicate and solve problems before they became issues. Still see him from time to time with an iPhone stuck in his ear!

 

[willymakeit]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

When I was in the installation game all calls were answered before 9 a.m or after 5 pm. The person I was doing a install for deserved my time.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Customers like Gus is why I don't give out my cell. In my work, it's email communication only. I can't be working on items and answering the phone.

Once I have details and orders pecs, I will be left alone to do the job. We're not changing this or modifying that. At some point in the order things like that mean I have to start the entire project all over again. No happening unless I charge you for the work and materials already used - but you wouldn't be happy paying for that, would you?

Sheesh, some customers...

 

[R6 Racer]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Game, set & match!
Touchdown!
Slam Dunk!
Goooooooooooal!
Grand Slam!
& finally

The Fat Lady has sung!

Gus68 [as a junior member @19 posts] has learnt something today!

Daaayuumm I like this place! Even when schooling someone it's done with reason & explanations (for the most part). Not just with insults & slamming.

Gus I get your frustration, but at least now you get to see the other side of the situation.

Steve

 

[volvo]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

...
.....Schooled !........


>>>>
Game, set & match!
Touchdown!
Slam Dunk!
Goooooooooooal!
Grand Slam!
& finally

The Fat Lady has sung!>>>

 

[Zeke]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

One more thing. Before cell phones people left messages. I always have asked on my outgoing message when they would like to be contacted or when they were likely home. I have never called before 8am or after 6 pm unless specifically asked to do so. These were good times.

Now, I'm with a customer and he wants to talk about business and his phone rings. He answers it and leaves me standing there in the middle of a dead conversation. I never take calls when I'm with company. That's just plain rude.

In fact, people who don't show me some manners don't usually get a 2nd chance from me. Maybe that's why I don't work much anymore.

If I couldn't do my own home repairs, the place would eventually fall down because I hate the younger all-for-me/me-for-all generation. They aren't going to be doing any work for me any time soon.

There are a few exceptions.

 

[Toolfool]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

My main busness phone is a land line (remember those?). Leave me a message and I WILL call you back. I usually leave my cell phone in the truck while on a job, don't want the current customer thinking he's paying me to drum up new business. If a potential client is as impatient and irrational as the OP, then I probably don't want his business. I live in a small island community and take pride in being able to bump into former customers at the store and having a friendly chat.

 

[brownbagg]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

we do alot of work as subs in shipyard, power plants and chemical plants. most of these plant has gone to no cell phone within the fence, for no body, super, suppliers, foreman. no cell phones at all.

their reason, cell have cameras, also labor spending too much time talking to wife.

 

[Vettedrmr]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Funny, when I saw the title of the thread I thought it was going to be some customer that was having problems with work getting done because the crews were always using their cell phones.

I'm a customer, and I always make my calls when I have something specific to ask, leave a message if needed, and WAIT. Unless it's urgent (which is rare), I won't call back until at least a full day has passed.

Also like this phone message: "Hi, we're obviously busy, probably with other customers unless we're closed. They're important to us, as you are, so please leave a message and we'll get back to you."

I love this forum!

Have a good one,
Mike

 

[ddawg16]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

One other thing regarding texting....

As correctly noted by bams50, item #5 is especially important....a writen record removes almost all doubt.....

Where I work, if we talk to anyone on the phone...it is followed up with an email to confirm the context of the phone conversation....more than once that has saved our butts....

While I detest the 24/7 texting that kids do now days, it does have it's purpose. My wife and I use it for casual conversation....like "Pick up milk on the way home".

I am real good about ignoring my phone....if i'm sitting idle then I'll have a look at it...it spends a good part of the time with the ringer off....main reason....not real cool searching a building trying to be stealthy and your phone is ringing....

We actually flushed a dirt bag out of the bushes one night....he phone started ringing...you could actually see the light of the display through his pants pockets....not to mention the noise of him scrambling to try and shut it off....funny as hell...

 

[mzbk2l]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Jeezus, some tough guys. Call me. I'm here doing **** after 40 years of successful contracting. No, I can't frame up ten walls a day anymore or crawl on my belly like a snake to keep from planting some ugly conduit on the outside, but I still KNOW HOW!

I wondered about your background, Zeke; you had some very complete, concise answers and advice when I posted my future plans - appreciate the direction.

To keep it on topic, I agree with the majority here; cell phones are for the owner's convenience, not the client's. My first realtor gave me a pager number and said she'd prefer that I use that and let her call me back when she was able to dedicate some time to my question or issue. If she was in the middle of a showing or a closing or something, neither one of us would be happy that she'd answered her cell phone.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Sad.

Call people, yell at them on the phone and look for justification of the poor behavior on a garage renovation site.

 

[Highbeam]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

I also thought, for sure, that this thread would be complaining about contractors on the clock blabbing on their phones.

It is a peave of mine too. You are here working for me so get that phone out of your ear.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

One guy howling that no one will answer the phone and another howling that they do.

Sort this out among yourselves.

Mean while the other people will get their jobs done.

10% off for all who are not moaners and whiners. All others just leave a message at the bleep.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

One guy howling that no one will answer the phone and another howling that they do.

Sort this out among yourselves.

Mean while the other people will get their jobs done.

10% off for all who are not moaners and whiners. All others just leave a message at the bleep.

Sometimes you crack me up.

 

[CGarcia]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

If a contractor doesnt want to take calls, why give out his cell phone number? Also, the OP mentioned he called several electricians to hire, if they all give out a phone number, I asume its because they want the work, so wouldn't they figure out a way to comunicate in a timely manner to increase their business? I personally have only tried to hire an electrician once, and over and over I was told to expect a call that never happened ,then I would have to call again the next day, and this was from two different guys. Kinda felt like they didnt want my business. All they had to do is say "I'm too busy right now, call someone else"

 

[Twiggss]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

I chalk this up to the 'instant gratification' generation...

This^^

I also thought, for sure, that this thread would be complaining about contractors on the clock blabbing on their phones.

It is a peave of mine too. You are here working for me so get that phone out of your ear.

and this

 

[LAROKE]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

One guy howling that no one will answer the phone and another howling that they do.

Sort this out among yourselves.

Mean while the other people will get their jobs done.

10% off for all who are not moaners and whiners. All others just leave a message at the bleep.

I'm looking for a good moaner.

 

[bams50]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Interestingly, the OP has not responded to his clock cleaning..........

 

[GarageEnvy]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Agree with others and the instant gratification comments but to some extent the whole cell phone etiquette could use a little improvement with many people. I work in real estate as an appraiser so I'm out of the office quite a bit. My office phone is usually forwarded to my cell so I don't miss calls. However, I also don't expect people to know I'm busy. When I go into a house where I have an appointment with someone, I don't answer the phone. The reason is simple, I've set aside that time and so have they. It would be rude of me to take more of their time by taking the call.

Now from the other side, Realtors are notoriously late to appointments. There is nothing more aggravating than to have a Realtor show up 10 minutes late to an appointment only to give you the "wait a moment" finger gesture while they giggle and gab on the phone for another 10 minutes. Usually this is followed by the question, "How long is this going to take?"

If you call someone who works outside the office, they might be occupied and it might be a while before they can get back to you because they are presently dedicating their time to someone else who called before you did. If you're taking up someone else's time as well as your own, then don't take more of it doing things that don't concern them.

 

[yost69]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

The funny thing is, once he's on the job you're going to be complaining that he's on his damn phone too much.

Customers... Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

Amen to that.

I am helping a buddy, actually my old boss, that now owns a car transport company, frame up his new house. He is on the phone every 10 minutes, I kid you not.

A couple weeks ago I packed up my tools and told him "when he has time to help me frame up HIS house give me a call." I am doing this for free on weekends and in the evenings because we are good friends, I really don't like wasting my time standing around waiting on him to get off the phone to help me set a wall or whatever.

I bet the people calling trying to get cars moved bitched the same way about how every time they call he never answers. Well all I can say is call before 5pm and don't call on the weekends and you will have a better chance of someone answering.

 

[CreteCoater]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

My phone is for MY convenience, not yours.

If you'd like to pay my bill, I'll consider answering your call.

Period.

Agreed.

 

[Zeke]

Re: Contractors and cel phones

Interestingly, the OP has not responded to his clock cleaning..........

Agree with others and the instant gratification comments but to some extent the whole cell phone etiquette could use a little improvement with many people. I work in real estate as an appraiser so I'm out of the office quite a bit. My office phone is usually forwarded to my cell so I don't miss calls. However, I also don't expect people to know I'm busy. When I go into a house where I have an appointment with someone, I don't answer the phone. The reason is simple, I've set aside that time and so have they. It would be rude of me to take more of their time by taking the call.

Now from the other side, Realtors are notoriously late to appointments. There is nothing more aggravating than to have a Realtor show up 10 minutes late to an appointment only to give you the "wait a moment" finger gesture while they giggle and gab on the phone for another 10 minutes. Usually this is followed by the question, "How long is this going to take?"

If you call someone who works outside the office, they might be occupied and it might be a while before they can get back to you because they are presently dedicating their time to someone else who called before you did. If you're taking up someone else's time as well as your own, then don't take more of it doing things that don't concern them.

2 very good posts!

"How long is this going to take?"

BTDT.

 

[4wd4ever]

I'm not in the contractor business, but in my automotive business if I'm working on a customer car or talking to a customer there is only two calls I will answer, if my wife calls (cuz she only calls for emergencies otherwise texts) and my parents...again emergencies. All others leave a message, email, or text and I'll call you back.

 

[Gus68]

OK OK OK !!!! I understand ALL of your points!!!!!!! But let me give you just 1 example of why I was calling. I work from 7;00 to 6:00, I leave home before they get to my house, amd get home after they leave. One night I came home to check out the progress on the siding, I noticed the siding up to the bottom of a window was obvously crocked. I thought maybe my window (old house) was off and made the siding look crocked. I layed a level on the window sill, right on! So the sidings off. I thought I had better call my guy and let him know before his crew gets too far and has to rip it all down and start over (he has multiple crews and other jobs besides mine). I called the next day, left a message, no response. Came home that night and the whole side of the house was done, NOT STRAIGHT at all! When I finaly did get to show him the problem, he agreed it was wrong and he DID fix it. So I cant complain there. But I bet him and his crew would have been a hell of a lot hapier if they had noticed this earlier! This was not the only problem like this. Also during my work day, the ONLY time I can make a personal call is during my lunch hour, which I can take when ever I want. So if I call and you don't answer, that only gives you an hour to call me back. If not, then I guess theres always tomorrow! I try not to be a big bitcher, cause I deal with that at my work too. I just have questions that I would like answered. I could have chosen anyone to do my job, I chose to hire you and I am the one who is gonna pay you. You can't answer my calls???

 

[higXtech]

@gus ^ I know what you are saying. I'm a busy business owner running a crew of polished white collar professionals. If my guys handled their client communication the way some of the slacker contractors have dealt with me they would be fired. I won't stand for sloppy work, or errors. If you committed to show up at a certain time; BE THERE. Not two hours later with a smirk and a Chick-fil-A cup giving me some ******** line about your cell phone was [out of signal, out of battery, acting up, new phone;lost your number, left at home, lost]