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Fun with Contractors!
We've been getting stuff done around the house and have been dealing with contractors on and off.
While I value the work, and feel lucky that we can afford to get the work done, etc., there are a few things that make me a little nutty about the whole experience.
Let me just mention the great plumber we had last month. He called back immediately on a leaking hot water heater, came the very next morning, did exactly what he said he would, cleaned his mess up, gave us a an upgrade for free, and extended our warranty. He also made friends with our cats, and watched out so that they didn't run out the door. We'll definitely refer him to everyone we know! |
I don't know the state you live in, but you can look up licensed contractors.
http://www.contractors-license.org/index.html You are going through what I fear the most. I was going to join Angie's List, but am too cheap to pay the membership fee. Better Homes and Garden magazine had a web site you could use to find reputable contractors. I'll see if I still have it. Good luck!!! |
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did you get bids? were they the low bid? were they handymen or were the specific contractors a carpenter, a painter, etc.?
"are you providing lunch" blew me away, lol! |
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Great! Have you spoken with the head contractor / company owner to let him/her know how you feel? You are spending your money. When you start talking money, people listen. Just in case someone else wanted to know here is the Better Homes and Gardens web site: BHG.com/findapro. |
As far as the bathroom, that shouldn't be a problem - do you want to make them go in the woods to pee? That's kind of degrading. If they're so scary and nasty that you can't trust them to be in your bathroom for 5 minutes, you probably should dismiss them immediately.
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I do hear your frustrations about different contractors. We had to call a total of 4 (yes, 4) different plumbing companies just to put in a deep sink in our laundry room. First one gave a great quote, never showed up. Second one came and said it would be $980. *COUGH* Um, what? No. Third one, you guessed it, never showed up. Finally, some guy showed up and said it would cost more than expected but not absolutely ripping us off, so I just had him do it because I was so frustrated. We are having a porch sliding glass door replaced with french doors in a couple of weeks... at least we've already paid for it.
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Fourteen week kitchen remodel...took 15 MONTHS....three times the price that was agreed on (contractor a former friend). I have two vanities, marble, moldings and lights in my den because new contractor can't show up. All licensed, all with excellent referrals...I think good contractors have a limited run...until they come to my house.
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Welcome to the joys of homeownership.
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My sister had a horror story--- the guy wouldn't finish the job, left town without telling her, then billed her for work he did not complete. After that he put a lien saying she wasn't paying him (who pays people for services they didnt recieve!) Luckily she had a good lawyer and took care of it, but my gosh!
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I'm so glad my husband can do most of this kind of work himself! If he can't do it, he usually has a friend who can. And friends volunteer to work for cost of supplies, beer and food!
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I'm dealing with contractors right now for my condo, and so far they are performing above and beyond! My hardwood floors were supposed to go in over 2 and a half days but it only took two days. They look amazing! The contractor was very professional. My realtor recommended him and has used him countless times with no problems. The painters start today and is also recommended by my realtor. I expect perfect results, as well. |
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Realtors provide contactors with ongoing business. In fact, some contractors that we have used get virtually all of their referrals from realtors. They WANT to keep the realtors happy. A contractor knows if they piss off a homeowner, no big deal. If they piss off a homeowner who got their name from a realtor, the gravy train is ending. Every contractor that I have ever had that came from a realtor reference was prompt, professional, thorough, and had reasonable rates. In other words, if you want a good contractor, call a well respected realtor. |
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I still freaks me out, if I am home alone and someone (a man) that I haven't met before comes in the house. If that makes me a bad person, so be it. We don't always know the people coming to do the work beforehand - the "workers" are not always the people who came to do the estimate. As for lunch, if people were here all day working, I would absolutely order pizzas and have snacks available. But for two hours? Sorry, Charlie. The half case of water and four Snapples should be enough for the two of you. Quote:
And you are right - no matter how many referrals, licenses, etc., you never know how it will go until the job is complete. Which is why we always reward and praise jobs well-done. |
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