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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl

16961 Posts

Grace
WACAL Gal WashCalif.
USA
16961 Posts

Posted - Aug 27 2020 :  4:51:35 PM  Show Profile
UUGH! I am starting to get frustrated...
We have several large 'projects' going on here,,, some of which hubby and I are able to tackle,, and some we know it's best to hire the professionals,.. but dawgon! When you agree to show up for and estimate... or to do the work or even return phone calls... do so,, don't leave customers hanging...
We called 3 contractors for estimates for stone siding on our home,, only one called back with in 3 days.. they other 2 didn't return our calls till the following week.
The one that did finally come out to give us an estimate.. made some derogatory comments about California and Hispanics... He Will NOT be getting our contract!
Then we called out 3 companies to get estimates for our new driveway.. of the 3, one never called back.. one stopped by and told us he would swing by with a bid in a few days (he is a former neighbor).. it's been a week,, still no show.. so the 3rd guy,, who seems pretty decent, gave us a bid,, and we were all set for grading yesterday.. He called that morning,,, has mechanical issues with one of his equipment.. can't get out here till later next week..

My father-in-law was a Fencing Contractor,, and was a man of his word... so knowing and seeing his ethics,, I get discouraged when I deal with the kind of guys I have been dealing with..

Maybe I should forget about all the updating and reno improvements to the house,, take all that money and go to Hobby Lobby for a shopping frenzy!



>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!

www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com

quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl

7443 Posts

Linda
Terrell TX
USA
7443 Posts

Posted - Aug 27 2020 :  4:55:52 PM  Show Profile  Send quiltee a Yahoo! Message
We've been having the same problems with painting contractors - they come by, look at job and write down measurements, and never call back with a quote. What are the younger generations coming to? No customer service as it was.

Farmgirl hugs,
Linda
Terrell, TX

Farm girl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month August 2015 and April 2017


"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Audra Rose
True Blue Farmgirl

2196 Posts

Vanessa
Brooksville KY
USA
2196 Posts

Posted - Aug 27 2020 :  6:30:09 PM  Show Profile
All the handymen here are booked up with projects. Luckily we have a "tame" handyman, as my mom used to say, and he is good at lots of things. It is frustrating not to get a return call, and as for the fellow with the objectionable opinions, he should learn that business is business.

Farmgirl Sister #6754
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl

9203 Posts

Denise
Beavercreek Ohio
USA
9203 Posts

Posted - Aug 28 2020 :  04:41:47 AM  Show Profile
We were fortunate when the ac died onTuesday. Someone came out Wednesday and they will be here this morning to replace our unit. The one we have can't be fixed, it is 20 years old so we expected this. They weren't going to get to us till next week but since it is so hot this week they said they would try to get us in. Should be here at 8:30 this morning.
As someone who also owns a contractor business, a type anyway, there are people who call and want something done and expect it done the same day. There are lots of people already scheduled so it isn't easy to do that unless we can squeeze them in somewhere. If it is something that is a new install as opposed to servicing then we have to wait for parts. During this particular year we have waited as long as 3 weeks which means we can't schedule till the parts come in. The ones that get upset are the ones who call and think we can drop everything to get there that day when other jobs are already scheduled. It is hard to be on either side but I understand much better now about why it may take a while to get things repaired or replaced.
As for not calling back, that is rudeness on their part and probably means they don't want the job. We rarely turn down work and if for some reason we do, we refer them to someone else. We do occasionally turn down residential because of previous experience with not getting paid. It is better for us to work with commercial customers in our particular type of business.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007

"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."

"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/

Edited by - levisgrammy on Aug 28 2020 04:47:32 AM
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl

6625 Posts

Krista
Utah
USA
6625 Posts

Posted - Aug 28 2020 :  12:13:41 PM  Show Profile
Grace, I will go with you! We have been having the exact same problems with others around us. We needed slag earlier this year which resulted in no returned calls and a no show from one company. Same sort of issues with doing our sprinklers and laying sod. In the end my hubby ended up renting equipment and doing everything himself. Many people anymore are very unreliable. What’s frustrating to me is the constant reminder for someone to come do the work. Umm really? I shouldn’t have to beg someone to make money off me lol!! I totally understand your frustration. Where have all the good hardworking people gone?

Krista
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl

16961 Posts

Grace
WACAL Gal WashCalif.
USA
16961 Posts

Posted - Aug 28 2020 :  8:22:02 PM  Show Profile
We have been fortunate with some contractors while others,,, not so..
My hubby comes from a family line of contractors and one Texas Well Witcher,,, My hubby is the 1st one to break ties after 20's in the family business..
My father-n-law was awesome and a man of his word.. sadly we are seeing a lot of not so reliable contractors up here.
Good thing my hubby is not afraid of hard work and,, he works cheap,, I bake him cookies and he is putty in my hands! lololol!

>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!

www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com

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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl

9203 Posts

Denise
Beavercreek Ohio
USA
9203 Posts

Posted - Aug 29 2020 :  04:26:23 AM  Show Profile
Grace,
I just noticed you said your father in law was a fence contractor. We work with a lot of fence companies. They sub contract with us when someone needs a gate operator.

~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007

"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."

"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl

2122 Posts

Judith
Galt CA
USA
2122 Posts

Posted - Aug 29 2020 :  12:10:15 PM  Show Profile
What's the old saying? It's hard to get good help. Very true. If you find a hard working dependable handyman, hang onto him. Marry him if necessary....

Judith

7932
Happiness is Homemade
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HollerGirl56
True Blue Farmgirl

1334 Posts

Barbara
Flat Top WV
USA
1334 Posts

Posted - Aug 29 2020 :  8:30:12 PM  Show Profile
Ladies---the world has changed so much---my holler friend gave us some good old boys to do our house---and they did really good---a few flaws yes. And when they weren't drinking beer they could work up a storm. They may have done us bad---but we just bought them a lot of beer. The house is standing strong---LOL/---My friend in Monroe county trying to build a house says the same as all of you---sorry workers, Hope all goes well for all of you. People are not honest anymore and they do not want to work. We have had two people to visit us and the racist remarks they made do not sit well with me. Do not understand all this racism and stuff--not me for sure.

Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl

7577 Posts

Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts

Posted - Aug 29 2020 :  10:15:32 PM  Show Profile
Oooh my goodness... Gracie, I feel for you. We went through that, too, when we renovated our upstairs bathroom a couple of years ago. It was maddening. Then a "friend" of my brother-in-law's "came to the rescue" and ended up not being any kind of friend at all, took advantage of us, ripped us off, and... ugh. I hate saying not nice things. I hate being able to say not nice things. God forgive him and his crony crew for what they did. Just suffice it to say, I learned very well why my husband was so beloved by all his customers when he was healthy and working. He was fair, he was always on time, he always did an incredible job (he was always a perfectionist who took great pride in his work), he always finished on time or sooner, and he never charged more, usually less. He even followed up to make sure his customers were happy and to ensure all was well. And if there ever WAS a repair, he wouldn't charge unless it came at a cost to him. God bless him. Anyhow, thankfully, our foster son and his buddy became available to complete the job, and their work was beautiful (done with LOVE, I say!). God bless THEM! AND, thankfully, one of my husband's buddies, who wasn't available the first time around, WAS available when we did our downstairs bath last year. He was an ANGEL. A GODSEND. He was a perfectionist, did the work as if it were his own home, and I am so incredibly grateful for everything he did. God bless HIM.

It is so difficult to be at the mercy of others, especially when my husband was not only my personal home improvement hero, but the home improvement hero of so many. BUT we've been blessed to have good friends we can trust. When you DO find a good contractor, you hold onto him for dear life, for sure! (I like to spoil them with daily coffee and muffins, then provide lunch spreads that'll ALMOST make them want to take a nap afterward! LOL! But, hey: they are taking care of us, I want to take care of them, too!)

God bless the good ones! And God forgive and change the hearts and minds of those who are not!

I hope you find somebody excellent, Gracie. I am so, so sorry you're going through this. Don't lose hope - the right contractor IS out there!

Hugs -

Nini

Farmgirl Sister #1974

God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!

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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl

6488 Posts

Winnie
Gainesville Fl
USA
6488 Posts

Posted - Aug 30 2020 :  05:30:12 AM  Show Profile
Grace, that is totally frustrating!! I do know from past experiences that getting anything done seems to take forever! Even if they come, it is only for a few hours and then there are days when they are at their other jobs and nothing happens. What was a 2 week time estimate to do the project ends up being 2+ months or more!! It is crazy and so frustrating!!! I hope you can get your projects finally done because when the bad weather hits out there, it will be even more difficult to get anyone to do outdoor projects.

Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl

16961 Posts

Grace
WACAL Gal WashCalif.
USA
16961 Posts

Posted - Aug 30 2020 :  7:11:28 PM  Show Profile
Fingers crossed the driveway guy shows up on Tuesday..

We have 3 more major projects in the works,, new windows, a bathroom re-do and re-stain the kitchen cabinets...
I am almost considering going through a Big Box Store for the windows.. we have had 2 companies come out for bids so far,, and blew our socks off with their estimates. Crazy expensive. We have re-done windows in 2 previous homes and they had more windows and more custom work and each of them were $5-7K less then these 2 guys bids for just 11 windows.. AACK!

Hubby does do a lot of the work himself,, thank goodness to 'youtube' for instructional videos.. but we can't do windows nor a bathroom remodel, that requires plumbing lines being moved...

OY VEY!

>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!

www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com

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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl

9203 Posts

Denise
Beavercreek Ohio
USA
9203 Posts

Posted - Sep 01 2020 :  04:25:33 AM  Show Profile
We did our own windows and our own bathroom remodel. JT hates plumbing but it was better than paying someone else to do it with those exorbitant fees. We had to enlarge and install a walk in shower and move the toilet. Also had to change out copper pipes to pvc.

~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007

"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."

"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl

16961 Posts

Grace
WACAL Gal WashCalif.
USA
16961 Posts

Posted - Sep 01 2020 :  1:11:34 PM  Show Profile
Denise... bring your hubby up here... you and I can sit out back and drink Tea while the 'boys' remodel... lol!

AND the Good News... our driveway guy showed up bright and early this morning...
Doing the Happy Dance..

>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!

www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com

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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl

7443 Posts

Linda
Terrell TX
USA
7443 Posts

Posted - Sep 01 2020 :  1:28:07 PM  Show Profile  Send quiltee a Yahoo! Message
Ed and I may be up there one of these days. Get the tea ready.

Farmgirl hugs,
Linda
Terrell, TX

Farm girl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month August 2015 and April 2017


"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl

16961 Posts

Grace
WACAL Gal WashCalif.
USA
16961 Posts

Posted - Sep 01 2020 :  7:56:31 PM  Show Profile
Linda,, you betcha and scones too!.. :>)

>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!

www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com

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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl

6488 Posts

Winnie
Gainesville Fl
USA
6488 Posts

Posted - Sep 08 2020 :  2:30:14 PM  Show Profile
Grace, glad the driveway contractor came! It can be frustrating to want to get big stuff done and then have to fritz around with getting it started with a competent person! Hey, can I just come for tea and scones??

Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl

16961 Posts

Grace
WACAL Gal WashCalif.
USA
16961 Posts

Posted - Sep 08 2020 :  10:06:36 PM  Show Profile
We now have a guy coming to work on removing some concrete.. on the 16th,, yay!!!
Slowly getting things done...

>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!

www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com

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