Home Modernization

[SirSnookalot]

Don't know about other areas of the country but for some reason the contractors here in Florida are not interested in making any money.  This isn't the first time I have experienced here and have heard others with the same complaints.  We are doing some mod to our home, I called for estimates.  Out of the 8 contractors I called, only 2 have bothered to call back, what's with that?  Being a business man myself, no one ever waiting too long to be contacted, especially a new customer.  I know literally dozens of people back in Mich in the mod business, you call there and they show up at your door quickly, competition is fierce.

I did have nice young man come over, the estimate was good, company approved by Better Business Bureau, I committed.

[tomustang]

Last I heard Florida is swamped with home contracting work so being too busy to come over might be the problem. Even when I lived in california I heard about people moving to florida cause the work was booming more

[SirSnookalot]

Last I heard Florida is swamped with home contracting work so being too busy to come over might be the problem. Even when I lived in california I heard about people moving to florida cause the work was booming more

That's true, a lot construction going on here, but a phone not being returned for 2 weeks only shows a lack of business ethic. Probably not the people I would want working for me anyway. 

[tomustang]

So true, good ethics goes a long way in my book

[Bankbeater]

Had the same thing happen a couple of years ago when we wanted to get the house painted.  IMO, If they don't call back in a reasonable amount of time, they don't get my business.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

There's no excuse for that. These same contractors that won't return calls. Are probably the ones complaining the loudest when work dries up. Its extremely unprofessional, and makes contractors in general look bad.

[ccummins]

Living here in Florida I blame it on a lack of manners and common courtesy.  The least someone could do is pick up the phone and say "I'm sorry but I've got too much work right now to take on an additional job."

 

[Olebiker]

One of my daughters here in Tallahassee is trying to get a house built.  They have been working with a builder for months and it takes repeated calls to the guy to get him to do anything.  Seems like it was just yesterday they were begging for work.

[SirSnookalot]

Stories of consumers being beaten is commonplace here.  Taking deposits and not showing up, unfinished work, substituting cheaper grade materials, leaving a job and returning weeks later and poor workmanship.

Several years ago we had fellow that come to the jettie every morning before work to fish.  Nick had a contractors license, I was very friendly with him and liked him.  He started a couple of jobs for 2 of my friends that also were at the jettie daily, both jobs were never completed and Nick ran with the money...........been about 3 years and haven't seen him since.

[Sam]

Sir, a drunk driver hit my office building on the morning of Mother's Day in May.

 

So I called one of the leading contracting firms in Richmond, Virginia to view the damages and give us an estimate.

 

Still waiting for him to come by!

 

Got two of my bass club carpenters to come by, stabilize the gallery, and give me an estimate.

 

Go figure.

[Fishing Rhino]

While failing to return calls is unprofessional and rude, it's better than what was common around here when building was booming.

 

Some contractors would return calls, give bids and agree to take the job.  The problem was they "overbooked" so they'd start work on a job, usually with a full crew, get the construction started, then part of, and sometimes all of the crew would go back to jobs they had been working on.  It was a nightmare for those

who hired the unscrupulous contractors.

 

Yes, they could take the contractor to court, and even perhaps win a judgement.  That process could take a couple of years, maybe longer.  In the meantime, it would be all but impossible to get another contractor to take over a job that had been started, and was in litigation. 

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

not a contractor but similar experience this week.  Needed to replace pool filter so I bought one and the place has a guy they refer their installs to so THEY called him and then gave me his number and said for me to call him too.  He didnt answer when they called so they left a message saying I would be calling.  The store owner added in that he ALWAYS answers his phone so he must be on his knees right now but will call back.  

 

After 2 days and 3 messages left, nothing.  It's been real hot in New England the last week or so, I ended up installing it myself but the HVAC guy that was supposed to be here Tuesday at the latest to fix the 2 ton,....thats another story, still no a/c on the top floor,lol

 

Long story short, don't wait till the heat wave to call your pool guy or a/c guy unless you plan to BECOME the pool guy and a/c guy,lol