Contractors in my area ohboy! - Lateral-g Forums

**waynieZ** · #1 08-16-2010, 04:39 PM

I sent plans out to 3 contractors, no replies from any of them ( almost 4 weeks). Then last week I get a call from one of them he says vacations sick guys, no problem atleast he called back says he will call me the next day. That was last Wednesday! Doesn't anybody need work. Time are suposed to be tuff out there. I guess not as bad as I thought. There are a few smaller contractor in the area I'm going to find one of them. I hope!!
If it was detached I would try it myself lame or not atleast I would show up for work every day. lol. Its un believeable

One good note I found a Clopay Premium 4300 insulated door for less than half price. I got the door , 16x8' with no windows, an extra panel with insulated windows with the inserts, a Liftmaster 3800 door opener with 2 remotes 1 keypad plus what comes with it,all tracks and hardware to install it, the seals for around the door. I need a wind rated door for 110mph the door is rated 90 mph so it needs extra struts for across the door where there aren't any. so I bought some from him. I needed 3 he gave me 4or 5 with all the hardware to install them, all for $962.00 Just the door not wind rated without windows is $1327.00 on their site. About time something worked out easy for this garage.

**GregWeld** · #2 08-16-2010, 08:59 PM

Contractors suck.

I've got a buddy that has been doing all my stuff for about 20 years now... he builds custom homes - in the millions per.... and doesn't do remodels etc - but he has "people".... and has them come over and do whatever I need. Otherwise I think I just wouldn't have anything done. You hear more horror stories about guys taking deposits and never showing up - or never finishing - or doing crap work.

Get references and when you talk to those references -- ask them how they got the guy - and if he worked for their friends - ask for their names etc and talk to them... 'cause the guy is only going to give you HAPPY customers ---- and you want to find ALL his customers to really check them out.

War · #3 08-16-2010, 09:17 PM

[QUOTE=GregWeld;301398]Contractors suck.

Normally, I would take offense to that generalization.

**GregWeld** · #4 08-17-2010, 07:08 AM

Jason --

I know it's a broad brush.... but there are so many lawyer jokes for a good reason... and the contractor brush is wide because there is good reason. The problem for joe public is finding a good one and if you don't, you're stuck. One of my brother in laws is a contractor. Not one single person in the family would use him - if he was free... We call him "20 minute job". Everything he looks at only takes 20 minutes. Unfortunately for him - it also looks like it.

There should be a contractors group where only the good contractors can get in -- so the public has a place to go to find good ones.

My neighbor found out about "bonding" when their contractor built their custom home... which turned out to be a complete disaster... as in - they had to re-do the siding - the windows - the roof and much of the electrical. The "bond" (which the contractors always point out in their advertising "we're bonded"!) is for a lousy 4 grand. When they sued for recovery - he just folded the business and started a new one under a different name. They also discovered that while they need "inspections" at each step along the way... they mean nothing and the inspectors have ZERO liability.

**waynieZ** · #5 08-17-2010, 07:25 AM

Its like the economy is running at full tilt. We know its not so why say your interested if your not? I got a guy to give me a price to do the foundation. These contractors said let me get my guy to give you a price, I said ok. Not one called to come see the job, but in the mean time I'm holding off getting it put in. Now who knows how long I'll have to wait for the guy that gave me the price to be freed up to do it. It just wears you down.

**GregWeld** · #6 08-17-2010, 09:13 AM

If a guy can't call you back - and be johnny on the spot - find someone else. Busy is busy... I don't mind waiting for a guy that is busy. Busy is good. But not calling back - not updating - not living up to what he said he'd do.... YOU'RE FIRED. No - let me rephrase that - you're not fired - because you're not going to be hired to start with.

Fluid Power · #7 08-17-2010, 09:44 AM

Good guys are busy. But not returning phone calls is only the tip of the ice berg!

Darren

ccracin · #8 08-17-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld

If a guy can't call you back - and be johnny on the spot - find someone else. Busy is busy... I don't mind waiting for a guy that is busy. Busy is good. But not calling back - not updating - not living up to what he said he'd do.... YOU'RE FIRED. No - let me rephrase that - you're not fired - because you're not going to be hired to start with.

Amen Brother!

My Dad was in construction all his life and is disgusted when he sees how people get treated! He started as a carpenter and worked into the role of Commercial Superintendent. He always did small contracting on the side and never advertised. He had to turn away as much work as he did. He has been retired for 8 years and hasn't done side work in 10, but still gets calls. It's all about being polite, responsive and doing a good job for a fair price! My buddy right now wants to build a garage and just like you Wayne, he sent out requests for bid to 3 companies 3 weeks ago. He has received 1 call and no visits. I have seriously considered starting my own contracting business. When times are a bit better, you never know!

Seriously Wayne, I hope you get it worked out. This has been a tough road. Between building a car and doing this, I don't know how you stay out of the funny farm.

**waynieZ** · #9 08-17-2010, 12:11 PM

I didn't . I only have computer access when I take my meds. lol

**waynieZ** · #10 08-23-2010, 11:08 PM

I called a contractor last Wednesday, he finaly called on Saturday. He was on vacation said he would be here 12pm Monday. He was here right on time. We discused the garage for 1/2 hour. He looked at the plans with me,seemed to be knoledgable . Already knew about the wind rating we needed. He made a good impression. When he left shook my hand and said thank you for considering me for the job. He said he will have a price early next week. So far he's way ahead of the other guys. I felt comfortable talking to him. He has a good rep. I hope this guys price is good.
One of the other guys was suposed to come by Sat. He called said he was sick would call Sunday and still nothing today. This is almost 5 weeks. and still hasn't given me a price.