That initial contact with a contractor is telling. If you want to work with someone who is reliable and prompt, hire someone who promptly and eagerly responded to your first call. This solo act did absolutely beautiful work. More: How to revive old kitchen cabinets on a budget. It turns out he accepted another job—one that paid more and demanded his presence at certain times of the day, for weeks at a time.
Insist that he give you a written schedule as part of your contract, and make sure both you and the contractor sign it. And if he agrees but then stops showing up midway through, exercise your right to fire him and hire someone else. A young couple told me they hired a group of guys to flatten out the vaulted ceiling in their den. That must be all they told the group because those guys did what they were asked: They flattened the ceiling. I usually will not gut kitchens, baths or anything else on holds but I will update what is necessary.
Flips depending on the condition they are in will usually be gut rehabs, new everything on the interior including mechanicals. Exterior updates - as needed. I understand the supply and demand factor and that retail prices will be more money for the contractor. I have a neighbor that is a very successful General Contractor. One day I asked him what he credited his success too. He said, "I answer my phone and show up on time for my appointments.
My experience is that a lot of contractors are not good at organizing or running the "business" aspect of their business. They often get a job and ignore calls and appointments. When that job ends, they start looking for the next one and start answering their phone again. Most contractors that you call actually do the work themselves with their team, and if they have a lot of business going for them they may have their hands dirty during the time that you call.
A lot of these guys can only handle a couple to a few jobs at a time. Still no excuse that they had not returned your calls, they are a service business. When I got my rehabs started, I used referrals from other investor friends and it worked out great.
I had the same issues with the no answer on other specific contractors, mainly foundation companies. They do not want my business, and how can I trust that they will answer the phone after I make the first payment to them if they can't even answer the phone to get me a bid. There are tons of contractors out there, just keep trying. Tyler Clark. Leon O. I did give them the benefit of the doubt by calling twice just in case they had their hands dirty at the time my call came through.
However, I think it is reasonable to expect that they should return or acknowledge the call the same day or within say three business days max if they are really swamped. Sad but true -- I've called contractors and not gotten a response. I've had a male call the contractor and get a call back.
For some reason because I'm female I'm not worth their time Account Closed most contractors are good at contracting, not at business. So while some could probably renovate your houses, they're terrible at managing a business. Doesn't make it right that they don't call back, but there's probably a few in there that know what they're doing, but are just terrible at managing a business.
The reality is that most of the GC's you're calling probably worked for someone else and one day said "hey, I can do what my boss does! This can work to your advantage depending on what you want to accomplish. You might be able to set your own price with some of these guys. Think about it.. The guy not answering his phone probably has work for that week or 2 weeks out, and then he's looking for work again.
If you say hey, I have this job, it's 4 weeks of work, he goes and takes a look at it and you can set a price on the spot. Unless you're doing high-end renos doesn't sound like you are then you don't need a guy in a fancy truck. You need a guy who shows up and has tools. Just my 2 cents. Mark Gallagher. That is a great way to look at this issue with a new twist As far as materials, would you suggest that the contractor purchase them show receipts and get reimbursed or would you just purchase them yourself?
I would also try texting. I also have issues with contractors who come see the property and then never get around to sending me a bid. Some of them are just not hungry enough right now because they are fairly busy. I haven't found one yet that likes doing the paperwork to actually give you a bid. They like working for the GC's who don't require a written quote, as in NO paperwork.
I share your frustration. Account Closed yeah basically what I'm saying is these guys will never admit they're bad at managing a business. But if you can keep them busy, they'll be invaluable to you. They won't have to pick up a phone, worry about where their next pay is coming from. Most of them already have all the tools. They thought they could do it on their own but they don't understand how much work you have to do besides the actual "work"!
They probably don't have the money to actually go and purchase supplies goes hand in hand with poor business skills. So I would go and purchase the materials with them. You have to be careful the materials don't go missing. So hopefully you can get at least a reference or two, check the tax records to see where they live if they own a home etc.
As long as you dangle the pay in front of them and don't give it to them, your materials should stay put unless they're a total loser. If you call the guy with the biggest ads in the yellow pages, you're going to pay 3x as much. But you'll have to do no leg work and no babysitting. Barton Wallace. Finally, somebody picks up the phone, they look at the property with me and give me a verbal ballpark. Next, go find my jogging suit and running shoes to start chasing them for the written bid.
I am looking for a new contractor now for a property that's coming up. I have not had good luck giving the same contractor more than one job at once they say they can handle it, but the same crew gets spread out over 2 projects and the whole thing goes slower.
Keep at it. I had that problem right after I moved in and was trying to get bids on a roof and a painting job. It turned out to be a serious problem because I did not get multiple bids on the roof, and the guy who I did hire stank. I think it's that they just don't need the work. Some do, have more pressing financial needs, and will get back to you.
The guy who did get back to me on painting turned out to be cheap, efficient, and terrific. He also does odd jobs. See, he needs the work. Has a growing family. But a roofer who I contacted, a guy with a great reputation, just isn't that hungry and never returned my calls. A painter did get back in touch with me. This was the fall. He couldn't start till the spring and he wanted half paid six months in advance!
It's a question of supply and demand. I think any contractor who has a front-office, or any business development side to their business will do a lot better at responding to quote requests and being responsive to all the follow-up questions on the quote. However, the flip-side is that contractors with office and project management help will cost more. Sometimes it's worth it I think it is the problem of dignity and self-respect.
Unfortunately many contractors lack it. It's uprooted deep in the culture to not keep one's promises. Where I came from to keep one's promise is very important and those who don't keep their promises are left to rot and never make their living. I have the same problem. A roofer came, took measurements and said he'd get back to me in a day or two with a quote.
After two weeks, I heard nothing form him an called and left a message reminder. That was 2 days ago and nobody called be back. When we did major renovations and tried various contractors, it took a while and many calls to find one who knew how to use a telephone. I gave him all out business and 2 major renovations.
He did great work and a good price. They are hard to find. When they say "Give us a few days. If they try that, nothing is going to show because I never had a credit card. If they won't take my check, it's their loss. My checks are better than some people's credit cards. When you are dealing with smaller overhead organizations, it is VERY easy to get overwhelmed and buried on a moments notice.
Well, as a Contractor in Ca. Or we know this person is just going to be more hassle than it's worth. OR, we are just way too busy at the time. But, most of the time, people are clueless of what it cost to do business in Ca. What do you pay your Dentist for an hr.? A Mechanic? What level of communication should I expect when the contractor has picked up the permits I paid for the summer of COVID and has yet to respond to my once a month check in email?
He knows my budget. Again, he picked up my permits from city hall Is it just too small a project? Should I ask for my permits and plans back? I feel like I will just get the same run around from any other contractor.
Does anyone have a good contractor story? My friend keeps trying to get me to hire this gal's husband I can't afford to have one guy who works alone remodel all of my 's plumbing, finish rewiring the knob and tube, take out walls, build custom cabinets for the kitchen, and put in new posts and piers I don't want to be in a two year remodel that should take 6 weeks. Once a month is all you email him? Have you tried calling him?
Registered mail? As far as remodel time, if he picked up permits last summer your already 8 months in so that 6 weeks time frame is out the window. Do you have a contract with him? If so what type? Have you given him money? Thanks for your replies. I have not given him any money. I do not have a signed contract. I don't think he is dead. I did text one month instead of emailing. No result. I am pretty sure he is home schooling his kids so his wife can teach her students virtually.
This project is beyond 2 years already because the architect drug out her part to 13 months, which did not fit the contractor's schedule once she finished her bit. He had recommended her, but I am not sure he knew her that well. She does do good technical work but is a total snob to contractor.
Ironically, now she is pushing me to find another contractor, when everyone said I should ditch her at months 6 through 12 of her 'process'.
She did reach out to the contractor in January and he apparently replied to her, that he was aware my permit expired in June This is a pretty rural area. I don't think there are that many good, available contractors. Seeking someone else I probably would barely make their schedule for this summer. The project will involve the plumbing for the whole house so I will have to move out to a rental. So though the project planning, etc will be over 2 years I can't afford to have the plumbing torn up for 2 years So does this mean you just think in your head that a person calls for an estimate and you assume based on WHAT, that he can't afford your work or you THINK he wants something for nothing?
Not everyone who calls is like that. We are told over and over by people we know, websites like this and even contractors to get more than one estimate. Then when we do, people like you assume we want something for nothing. Then when no one returns our calls and we do find a handyman to do our work and it doesn't pass muster THEN and only THEN do we hear from contractors that we should have hired a licensed professional in the first place.
I expect at the very least for someone to give me the common courtesy that they are either:. Roxana, the reason they don't call back could be a simple one, when they leave the house they realize that they shouldn't be there, to begin with, and they have no intentions of doing any work or don't need any work, etc. Could be reasons why someone would not call a customer back, could be some red flags that they see, etc It could be anything and only they know the answer.
That said if you don't hear from someone for a few weeks or a few months and during that time you flood him with phone calls or emails, to a point he feels he is being stalked, etc if he didn't call by now, you will never hear from him again and that should be obvious that he is not interested doing the work, time to move on and look for someone else.
Also, watch out for the opposite - contractors that keep calling asking if you decided on their business to do the work.
They seem too anxious. Maybe they can't get work because they are incompetent. I wouldn't call that being too anxious but more being professional and following up to see if the customer has any questions, or if they made a decision, this way they know the outcome of their bid and can put the job on the schedule. I always follow up and most contractors I know do the same Not to mention after you spend a few days or a week putting an estimate depending on the project size, or they could be following up for other reasons.
To think that they are anxious it's plain wrong and comments like that send the wrong message to the homeowner and to the contractor Indem Sie weiterhin auf der Website surfen bzw. Mehr erfahren. Bathroom Fixtures.
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