Why are builders unreliable?

Question

They never come when they say they are and never finish the job.Where can i find someone reliable?

Answer 1

Dont go with the low bid , and dont pay them until there through.

Answer 2

Because their customers expect miracles, they want the job started yesterday and finished the day before with no mess. They keep on changing their minds and then the builder's estimate of how long the job will take is shot to hell. Also the building industry is very competitive and some shady builder will Tell the customer anything that they want to hear to get the job in the first place.

To make a builder reliable sign a contract that specifies how much the job will cost and how long it will take. Never sign a contract that specifies extras at hourly rates. Insist on penalty clauses if the job over runs. If the builder claims to have hit a snag question his competence, he should have foreseen most problems and allowed for them. The one golden rule is never ever let a builder charge by the hour for extras, treat extras as a new contract. Get a fixed price and a finish by date. If he argues tell him to do it or you will get another builder to complete his work because you are not satisfied with his competence.

Answer 3

Here is the deal. If they are certified by the state they are in they ar emore likely to be reliable. A lot of time bidders take the job, take your money and sub-contract out to less qualified helpers. They have been known to go to homeless shelters and job for a day (or day-hire) orginizations to cut corners on costs. Their goal is to get the job done with as little overhead as possible.

Builders have been known to let a job sit to release the crew, then rehire a lesser crew to save cash.

This is not to say that all builders are up to these practices. The first responder said it right. Do not take the lowest bidder. Take refrences and call them. Ask for state board certification and see their contractors liscense. Have a written agreement that allows for inclement weather, etc. but has a specific finish date that stipulates each day the job is not done after the date, X amount of money is lost from thier total income. Watch the help. Pay attention to who is working and watch their knowhow. You may not know how to build your own house but you certainly know what a person should look like swinging a hammer!

Answer 4

I am a builder. I always finish the job. I always turn up when I say I'm going to, dressed smartly and with all the tools I will need. I operate with stage payments agreed with a 3rd party professional (usually structural engineer or architect) so the client is happy with each stage of work before payment. I complete the job to the highest possible standard, within the time frame agreed. I clean up after myself, I try to leave clients homes cleaner than when I arrived.
It is for these reasons that I am employed by both Savills and Knight Frank estate agents as building contractors. You need a reliable builder? Email me.
Don't judge all builders by the sharks in the pool, we're not all like that.

Answer 5

Builders are not unreliable. The builders you choose are unreliable.

You need to use a builder based on reputation and references from trusted friends or relatives.

Unfortunately selecting a builder from an advert or the yellow pages is the surest way to get someone who is not at the top of thier game. Good builders are really busy and never advertise - its all word of mouth.

If you find a builder who can fit you in within a couple of months then beware, why isn't he as busy as the ones signed up for 6 months ?

To ensure they finish you ned to retain some money, treat them with respect, and make sure you don't moan at them. If they have a choice of going to a moaning house, or a pleasent one, its only natural they will go to the pleasent one.

me: buy, develop, sell lots of properties and am happy with tradesman 90% of the time.


....although i have to come clean and admit i sacked an electrician 2 weeks ago. First one in years though

Answer 6

The MaiN reason builders [or any other trade persons] are unreliable is because of the attitude exemplified by "this guy".

It's also a sign of the times. Fewer and fewer people are concerned with the basic ethic of reliability.

Points to abide are made by Mr. Nozalot, happogirl, hoosierda, and Nathan S. Under no circumstances, ever pay prior to the work being completed. Don't be afraid to draw up a contract, even if the contractor himself didn't offer it. It's not just that it is a legally binding agreement, but the fact of putting specifics on paper, often clarifies issues that theretofore were confused.

I'm like the responder who said he/she usually learns to do it himself./herself. It's just darn hard to find someone/anyone who can do what they say they can do, and without it costing both your legs [never mind, them showing up!]

Answer 7

In my experience, builders seem to promise anyone who calls them that they will do a job, but they never do. They promise too much and can't possibly finish what they start. To find a reliable builder you must either have them as a close friend or get a builder who did a good job for someone you know. Good luck!

Answer 8

i am sorry but i am a contractor i am sorry for ur past expeirence but there is a few things u need to looak at when getting a contractor
1) their appearence- i look rough and dirty when i am working but when i go to give a bid i am clean and my clothing has my buisness logo

2) dont always go with the lowest bid take all bids and compare them dont go with the highest and dont go with the lowest go with the most average.

3) do background checks even a person who is just starting a company will have people who know him or an ex employer did he come to work on time was he a good worker did he take pride in his work etc.

4) look at the contract he gives u about the work to be done and look at the money he asks for he cant work on ur house just out of his pocket the home owner and the contractor have to work together like home owner buys the material and he pays the labor till the job is done that way u both are in on the job and you know it will get done and if somthin happens he dont show up you have the material and owe him nuthin and if u dont pay he is just out labor no materials

now once you have found a contractor and somethin happens ask him about it few things can go wrong
first there are things beyond his control like help didnt show up, lumber yard didnt get the material in on time weather common stuff like that sometimes a flat tire ya know just ask if he is a resposible contractor he will have a good explanation

Answer 9

most builders are unreliable because....
(a) they are late arriving because they would sooner complete a job to keep the present customer happy even if it means being late for another job. ( THIS IS THE RIGHT BUILDER TO CHOOSE )...if they dont ring dont to let you know whats happening, call someone else!!
(b) because they have underpriced the job & wont make much from the job (had a better offer).
(c)they are greedy, instead of being upfront with you & telling you they are busy, they take on everything they can get (just to stop other builders from getting the work).
(d)ring a reliable builder.....J&T BUILDERS (DEVON)
[e-mail].

Answer 10

I know of a very reliable builder. He always comes when he says he is. He always finishes the job. I'm talking from experience. He's my husband.

Answer 11

Here's the deal: nobody cares as much as you do about what you are building, because it ain't for them. If you want the kind of quality you want at the speed you want it, pay for the best you can find. If you want a really slow, unfinished or sloppy job, pay less.

Personally, I just try to learn how to do it myself, because they just don't care as much as I do, and then I only have myself to blame. I save a lot of money. Sometimes I still need help because it's just too complicated or dangerous. Then I pay the good money to the good people.

And remember the 3 important factors: Licensed. Bonded. Referenced.