Generic VENT.
Im doing a ton of work all over my property. Been using all sorts of services, concrete, plumbing, paint, septic....on and on....even looking for a dog trainer.....
Other than Marco , who ALWAYS calls within minutes, it is damn near impossible to get a call returned ! Takes weeks and multiple calls to get someone who wants to do any work. Everyone in town is very busy BUT come on guys !!!!

The contractors that work for builders are slammed and have been for a long while. Until the houses quit going up so much and so fast, it's going to be that way.

I feel your pain. Trying to get landscaping work done in this town is like pulling teeth.

Slocum on a mobile said:

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No. A number of businesses have the mentality that it's a small town, and you're not going to go down the street.

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Then they will be the first ones to cry when business slows down. They don't understand that just returning the call and letting people know you are scheduled out X amount of weeks will go a long way.

Have you guys considered that maybe these contractors talked to you and/or met you and decided they didn't want to work for you?

Contractors are among the least reliable people on earth. Don't get me started. I sincerely wish everyone who has to deal with them all the good luck in the world.

If they won't even return a phone call, they haven't had the chance to meet me yet!

FlyRod said:

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Contractors are among the least reliable people on earth.

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Good. Fast. Cheap. But you only get to pick ONE.

"Nobody ever uses them anymore, they're too busy"

I understand everyone's pain but let me offer some reasons for the current business conditions.:

1. Too much work. Any kind of labor, particularly skilled labor, is in very high demand right now.

2. Commercial work pays much better than residential and it's booming.

3. The consistent home builders are getting the best residential labor because they have relationships with the subs(craftspeople) and everyone knows what to expect and knows when they will get paid.

4. The worst part about residential remodeling is dealing with home owners. Don't take it personally, you are probably great to work with when your home is torn up and the dust can't be contained and the change orders keep piling up because of the surprises in the walls. I did it for years and you would have a hard time convincing me to go back into residential work. The sweetest people lose their religion when their routine is broken.

5. The small time guys you want to do the work have to do everything, estimating, ordering, designing, hammering, etc... They typically are craftsmen who get into business, so they underestimate the business side and get overwhelmed. It's physically and mentally exhausting. Some learn to get better at running the business end, some don't.

6. Homeowners don't pay. Sorry, but it's the truth. HGTV has convinced you that it's all super easy and with enough time you can do it too so why should you pay someone else so much? I'm waiting for HGTV, The Accountants Edition, where they include tax on assets you use in your business.

Builder93 said:

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I understand everyone's pain but let me offer some reasons for the current business conditions.:

1. Too much work. Any kind of labor, particularly skilled labor, is in very high demand right now.

2. Commercial work pays much better than residential and it's booming.

3. The consistent home builders are getting the best residential labor because they have relationships with the subs(craftspeople) and everyone knows what to expect and knows when they will get paid.

4. The worst part about residential remodeling is dealing with home owners. Don't take it personally, you are probably great to work with when your home is torn up and the dust can't be contained and the change orders keep piling up because of the surprises in the walls. I did it for years and you would have a hard time convincing me to go back into residential work. The sweetest people lose their religion when their routine is broken.

5. The small time guys you want to do the work have to do everything, estimating, ordering, designing, hammering, etc... They typically are craftsmen who get into business, so they underestimate the business side and get overwhelmed. It's physically and mentally exhausting. Some learn to get better at running the business end, some don't.

6. Homeowners don't pay. Sorry, but it's the truth. HGTV has convinced you that it's all super easy and with enough time you can do it too so why should you pay someone else so much? I'm waiting for HGTV, The Accountants Edition, where they include tax on assets you use in your business.

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All of this is well and good, but still no excuse for not returning calls or giving an estimate and then disappearing.