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justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
Name:
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Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
95% of people I've gotten estimates/had work from have driven me CRAZY.
Typical conversation:
Me: hi, I'd love to schedule a time to have you come for an estimate (or have work done).
Them: ok, great. I'll call you sometime next week when I'm in the area and I'll stop over.
Me: Uhm. Ok, well, do you have any idea what day or days that might be on? What time frame?
Them: No, I really don't.
Fast forward a few days - or a week:
Phone rings in the EVENING.
Me: hello?
Them: Hi, I'll be over tomorrow at 8 am.
Me: Uhm. I'm not available then....?!
Them: ok, I'll try you again the next time I'm in the area.
This has happened MULTIPLE times and is absolutely infuriating. Why can't people have a SCHEDULE? Why can't I have the courtesy of receiving at LEAST 24 hours notice?! Why do they assume I have no life and have nothing better to do than sit around and wait for them?!
So aggravated.
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Posted 9/12/14 12:59 PM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
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KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I'm still new to this whole house thing, but so far, the people I've had over to the house for estimates have been very accomodating in regard to scheduling a time to get together.
Message edited 9/12/2014 1:53:01 PM.
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| Posted 9/12/14 1:31 PM |
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Mrs&MrsK
i need sleep ;-)
Member since 2/14 2008 total posts
Name:
L
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Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
omg that would annoy me too!!
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| Posted 9/12/14 1:46 PM |
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yelley
Fortunate
Member since 11/07 3037 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I can recommend an electrician and contractor if you are interested!
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| Posted 9/12/14 2:14 PM |
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justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
Posted by yelley
I can recommend an electrician and contractor if you are interested!
Danielle - I'd love that. Please FM me. 
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| Posted 9/12/14 3:17 PM |
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justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
Posted by KGools
I'm still new to this whole house thing, but so far, the people I've had over to the house for estimates have been very accomodating in regard to scheduling a time to get together.
Kim - Mark was the ONLY guy who was courteous with regards to scheduling!!!!
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| Posted 9/12/14 3:18 PM |
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MrsRapz
mahna mahna!
Member since 2/12 1952 total posts
Name:
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Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I've never had an issue like that but yeah, that would totally drive me crazy too!
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| Posted 9/12/14 3:26 PM |
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JSDB
<3
Member since 1/13 1329 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
When we tried to get fence estimates I called 5 companies. 1 called me back within 24 hours, scheduled an appointment, and showed up for the appt. The other 4 said they would call me back. 1 did, and scheduled an appt but didnt show. The others never called me. Its amazing.
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| Posted 9/12/14 3:46 PM |
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justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
Posted by secretlyTTCagain
When we tried to get fence estimates I called 5 companies. 1 called me back within 24 hours, scheduled an appointment, and showed up for the appt. The other 4 said they would call me back. 1 did, and scheduled an appt but didnt show. The others never called me. Its amazing.
Yes! This is what I've experienced too. Absolutely maddening.
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| Posted 9/12/14 3:49 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I've gotten a few of those. But, what drives me most insane- and I've encountered this MULTIPLE times, is
"We can come Monday at noon"
"No, no one will be home then, we'll be at work."
"Then Wednesday at 11am?"
"Nope, we'll be at work then, too"
Then I get the scowl and "When CAN we come?" When I say evenings or weekends and I get "Yeah ok, we can only do weekdays 9-5." 
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| Posted 9/12/14 5:25 PM |
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iluvmynutty
Mom to E&M
Member since 12/08 1762 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I have had that experience too. It's impossible to get them to commit to anything and they just keep stringing you along.
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| Posted 9/13/14 7:19 AM |
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Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I think because estimates are generally free and not guaranteed work .. So when you think of the gas money it takes to go from one town to another (as well as the town) it can be difficult. It's like a second job in itself carving out time for estimates; kwim?
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| Posted 9/13/14 7:43 AM |
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I think it really depends who you call.
I think a lot of people front themselves as being a legitimate business and this is not the case.
DH has his own construction company and always schedules a time to come by when the HO is available which very often is not until the evening.
He's been trying for weeks now to hire a new guy and I can't even tell you how many people just don't show up.
I had this lady from my FB moms group contact me and she's always trying to sell her DH construction business. Thought they could subcontract for one another. The guy texted, DH gave him info about where to meet up and never heard from the guy.
So many fly by nights.
You really have to go by word of mouth in this business.
Honestly, this is how DH gets the bulk of his work. He's often hesitant to take on a job if it's not from a rec of someone else he knows or has done work for.
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| Posted 9/13/14 7:45 AM |
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
I think because estimates are generally free and not guaranteed work .. So when you think of the gas money it takes to go from one town to another (as well as the town) it can be difficult. It's like a second job in itself carving out time for estimates; kwim?
It could be.
This is why I indicated too that DH is hesitant to get involved with people he doesn't know where the rec is not coming from a legitimate source.
He wants to be sure people are serious about a job.
Usually the clientele he works with know his work already and also would prefer to wait because they know he's good and reliable, even if it takes a few months to start the job.
He also is busy enough that he doesn't have to take jobs in certain areas anymore.
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| Posted 9/13/14 7:49 AM |
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greenfreak
.
Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I have been building a list of good people I feel like I'm ahead of the game because of all the others I had to go through to find great:
Paver patio installer
Electrician
Plumber
Gutter installer/fixer
Vinyl floor installer
Contractor (plumbing, electric, construction - all of it)
Still on the hunt for a good landscaper (I don't think this exists) and a good car mechanic. 
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| Posted 9/13/14 8:36 AM |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
Most of the contractors I have every called never called back.
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| Posted 9/14/14 11:08 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
Posted by PennyCat
Most of the contractors I have every called never called back.
That's been our experience.
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| Posted 9/14/14 11:11 PM |
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Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
I think because estimates are generally free and not guaranteed work .. So when you think of the gas money it takes to go from one town to another (as well as the town) it can be difficult. It's like a second job in itself carving out time for estimates; kwim?
To me, that's a complete BS excuse. If you want to get new business, then you need to be able to go to someone's house and give them an estimate. Yes, its a second job going estimates.. but taking that time is what ensures you have a job in the first place!
It speaks volumes to me when a contractor wastes a potential clients time by promising to be somewhere at a certain time and then not showing up. Guess what, you're not getting my business then!
If someone is a small business owner or a one man enterprise, then yes, you're going to have to expect that a certain amount of time needs to be spent in going out and acquiring that business - whether its 9-5 or after hours. A lot of homeowners work and are not home during the day.
If you're in a business that provides a service, you have to understand that if you want to stay in business. right?
I've also had issues with people not returning my calls when i want to talk to them about getting an estimate, and it is the most frustrating thing in the world.
No home owner is going to just hire someone over the phone without going over the particulars of a job in person (assuming this is for work to be done to a house) and how can a business possibly give an accurate estimate without going over the work in person either?
I have a contractor coming to my house Tues night at 8 pm to give me an estimate on painting because that was the time that worked for both of us. If he was only available between 9-5, he probably wouldn't be getting any work from me.
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| Posted 9/15/14 2:51 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
DH is a contractor and he has NEVER done this to anyone. He usually always makes his appts at night, which is helpful bc it's when people are home from work anyway. He gives a time and usually always shows up pretty much on that time or close to it. I know this bc I live with him.... obviously. LOL!
He tells me in advance he has an estimate to go to so I have a heads up he won't be around to help with after dinner and shower time for the boys. No big deal bc that's the business and it's ours so I want him to be prompt.
I had the issue with getting a landscaper for an estimate. Several never called back and only 1 was good. Thank goodness he was highly qualified and my neighbor uses him and my parents. He got the job and we plan on doing more with him. heck, he's coming tomorrow for another estimate to get more work done.
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| Posted 9/15/14 3:14 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
I have had people not call me back before. I've found that most of the people only want to come by during the day for estimates, so my DH gets mad/annoyed b/c I have to schedule these appts for when he's off from work so they can come when he's there, since I work during the day.
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| Posted 9/15/14 3:55 PM |
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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
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Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
So unreliable. We have dealt with a lot of this kind of thing, ugh!
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| Posted 9/15/14 4:58 PM |
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JSDB
<3
Member since 1/13 1329 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
My DH WAH full time and I WAH part time and we generally ARE available during typical business hours or on short notice, but people still dont even give us that chance! You really have to be persistent and know that 1 in 6 will call you back and maybe half will actually show for their appt
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| Posted 9/15/14 5:51 PM |
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RainaK
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 904 total posts
Name:
R
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Is this common with contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc...?
Sound about right, so frustrating!
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| Posted 9/15/14 8:45 PM |
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