How can I get a contractor to work for me?

Question

I need so much work done around the house, but when I call a contractor, I always get an answering machine. I leave a message, but they never return my calls. I even stopped in at one's place of business. He said he'd come over and give me an estimate in about an hour. It was more like three hours. He did look at the job and said he could start the next week. That was three weeks ago! I'm getting really frustrated. What should I do about the whole contractor thing?

Answer 1

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about.. I NEVER NEVER call a person back more than once.. If I do, it gives the impression that I am desperate and they can jack the prices up... Nowadays.. many contractors only want jobs that they can make a profit of $20 K or more. It is becoming more and more of a problem. I worked on my bathroom and it took me 6 months to find someone... The best way is to go to a neighbor/friend and ask them who they used.. a reference is what it amounts to. I also go to Home Depot and even though they are not supposed to give out names, sometimes they do and I get people that way. Getting a contractor is not easy because of their GREED but ... I do not know what you are doing or wanting to do but for my bathroom.. I finally had to piece meal it done.. getting someone to do this thing and another to do something else..I finally finished it last week but six months in the doing

Answer 2

Call one. Once you have called, scheduled the appointment and he's actually gotten there, getting him to actually "work" is your real problem. Contractors do slap-happy, slipshod work as fast as they can so that it looks good to your unpracticed eye, they get the money and blow town like Jesse Owens when the gun goes off. As far as I'm concerned, they're all crooks, more or less.

Don't EVER hire a gypsy to do anything around your house. They are thieves. One will distract you while another one goes into your house and steals you blind.

I'd forget the contractor thing. Try a handyman service. I was one in the late 1970s. I needed the work as a kid of about 21, so I did what anyone needed done. I cut firewood, cleaned windows, cut grass, weeded gardens, cut brush, painted, et cetera.

Answer 3

I have had the same problem Every one has At some stage in life But all i can say is A lot of people think they are the only customer and it will be done at your time I'm sorry it does not work like that Get in line just like every one else and take a number And as the good ole saying goes if you don't like it you know what to do .

Answer 4

I had that problem also, what I did was just not get frustrated and kept shopping for contractors. There are a limited amount of them out there. Ask friends who have had work done also ask at the BBB about them .Thats about all you can do.

Answer 5

SURVEY ALL CONTRACTORS AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE LEGIT. SEE THEIR BACKGROUND AND HOW THEY'VE MADE PROGRESS BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY CHOICES. WHEN SATISFYED BE SURE TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION ON A PRINTED AGREEMENT STATING THAT THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU PAID FOR AND THE BUILDING COST. GET THE NAME OF THE COMPANY AND HIS SIGNATURE. IF HE DOESN'T COMPLY WITH FINISHING YOUR HOUSE THAN YOU CAN LEGALLY SUE HIM FOR THE EXACT OF AMOUNT OF YOUR LOSS AND MIGHT EVEN HAVE THROWN IN JAIL. AS FOR A DECENT CONTRACTOR I RECOMMEND CALLING THE "EXTREME MAKE OVER: HOME EDITION" SHOW AND THEY'LL HAVE IT DONE IN A WEEK TOPS. JUST BE SURE TO COME UP WITH A SOB STORY AND THE EVIDENCE TO BACK IT UP...PLUS YOU GET A FREE VACATION. I TRIED LOOKINF FOR A CONTRACTOR WEBSITE BUST THAT'S HARD AS HECK. I TRIED.

Answer 6

Wait until the dead of winter. They're usually eager for work then since it's the slow season.

You can usually get a better price too. Bargain. Say, 'Can you do a little better than that?' Ask if they give a discount for cash payment. (If they don't, be sure to write a check haha).

Answer 7

call another contracter reputation is the way to do it

Answer 8

www.floorswedo.com if you leave in Pinalls county