Fun with Contractors!

[ree-Xi]

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.

• They don't call you back within a reasonable amount of time (I'm talking weeks).
• They are late. I'm talking 5 1/2 hours late when it was the first job of the day.
• They don't deliver what they promise, or things are different than what was agreed upon, and you don't find out until after they are done.
• They leave a mess - bottles and boxes lying around.
• They ask to come inside to use my bathroom when I am home alone - which freaks me out. (This was an hour job.)
• They sometimes expect tips when the rate was already negotiated before they showed up.
• One guy yesterday asked if we were providing lunch - on a TWO-HOUR job!
• There is often a surprise cost that pops up in the middle of the job, one that it's hard to say no to.

Any other less-than-stellar experiences you care to share?

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!

[sigmadiva]

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!!!

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

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!!!

Oh, they are licensed. All of them. Even with positive BBB ratings. I'm just a bit frustrated right now.

[FSUZeta]

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!

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Oh, they are licensed. All of them. Even with positive BBB ratings. I'm just a bit frustrated right now.

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.

[33girl]

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.

[AnotherKD]

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.

[ellebud]

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.

[aephi alum]

Welcome to the joys of homeownership.

[katydidKD]

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!

[IrishLake]

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!

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Whether you are going through a company's employees, contractor, or friends and family (some of whom are independent contractors and others who are just talented):

1. COMMUNICATION
2. CONTRACT
3. ACCOUNTABILITY


COVER YOUR ASS (figuratively and literally )!! Put things in contract and make every agreement a written one rather than verbal. If you have a conversation, send a follow-up email to confirm what was discussed and agreed upon. My friends, Sorors, and I do that for nonbusiness transactions so I definitely do that for every business transaction. Sure, some people will find you annoying and ballbusting but it's YOUR ASS that you're covering. Business doesn't need friends. We can be friends or associates after the job is done the way I'm paying for it to be done. And in the timeline I'm paying for it to be done. I learned years ago to not always take people for their word and a friend, family, or polite stranger who is just "trying to help" can completely mess things up. They often don't mean to mess things up but it all falls on YOUR ASS. COVER IT so you can either show them what they promised you they would do or you can show the small claims court what you agreed upon.

Great advice.

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.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

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.

Exactly.

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.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

Exactly.

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.

The other way I've found contractors is through my decorator. Same concept. Excellent service because she provided them a steady stream of business.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by 33girl

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.

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.

Originally Posted by ellebud

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.

I get antsy when things are half-finished. I can't imagine how I'd do with things being chaotic for 14 weeks. Our pool - outside - is built, but we still have to deal with the dirt and rocks from the excavation - it's driving me crazy!!

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.