Laid Back Attitude Is This The "Norm" (Welcome: home, buy)

[RJ17015]

We're pretty laid back when it comes to service, unlike family members back north - but then you start to question what is acceptable.

We had a backsplash started the end of Jan. installer made error we had to order more tile - tile arrived, he just came this week to complete job - needs more tile - so backsplash still not complete.

Landscaper - irrigation system and sod - over 2 weeks now - I think 3 weeks, hopefully will be done this weekend.

But here is the kicker - we've called pool installers, we've gotten one company to come out and give us an idea of a design and approximate cost. One person gave me a lecture about everyone wanting after hours appointments, and that he has 3 kids and one on the way - and insists to daytime hours for meeting - meaning my spouse would have to take time off work. This was after we left a message, and he never returned our call - so I called him back. We've decided if that was the tone on the initial phone call - not a good sign of things to come.

We've called 2-3 other pool companies - no return calls, NOTHING! We'd like to talk to another pool company, but can't even get a call back.

It just amazes us that with the economy being so bad, here we're willing to spend $30k - $40K on a pool, and can't even get a call back.

We've been pretty patient so far, and realize this is a different area of the US, and that stores aren't open on Sunday, family owned restaurants close at whim... but continue to be amazed at how difficult it is to either get an estimate or to get a job done.

Is this the norm, or have we just run into some bad apples?

[beachme]

From what I hear this is the norm. Sad huh! I am trying to find someone to pressure wash my garage..no one return the call.

[pokrplr]

Welcome to SC!! Totally the norm, unfortunately...If you want something done, do it yourself...I quit calling contractors years ago...They don't show, don't call, nothing...And in this economy if i needed work, i'd be there 30 minutes early getting the job done...

[OleTomCat]

Hmm, I only use contractors recommended by trusted friends and I have never had that kind of problems...

[Browsing Duo]

My family down there complains of the same thing. It's hard to have trusted friends after you just arrived, buy a house, and don't know anyone yet. Maybe the vets on this board can cough up some names of pool people, tile people, contractors, etc. When I sold my house, I left a binder of contact people for the new owners.

[mrpeatie]

Um- laid back and incompetent are two entirely diferent traits.

I think the problem is that a lot of people hire on price which is not necessarily quality or efficiency and if you are not used to dealing with contractors or a specific trade you often do not know how to spot the BS. I've dealt with a lot of clients who insisted on using specific people because they 'understood them,' 'they did good work for (insert name of most prominant social equaintence)' or because the person did not seem to question them as others had. A lot of time the cheap price is because that is what they have to do to get clients or it brings them more work than can be accomplished.

The not returning call things is just ridiculous. Are these people livign in the same economy I am?

Unfortunately the only thing that wakes some people up is a threat of being fired- and sometimes the actual firing. Although I have had people tell me 'well now that I know you are upset...' Which is maddening if you were upset weeks ago and are completely over it before thay even acknowledge an issue.

[pcamps]

Same story for us , either no show or very poor workmanship . Some of the quotes we have received for work around our home have been unbelievably high , even more than what we were used to paying in Newport RI .
The safest bet is always a referral , but if you are new to an area it's not always easy to come by a referred contractor . Also they need to be licensed and insured.
The only good worker we have had at our home is our present pool cleaner , turns up all the time and does a very good job.

[RJ17015]

Since we are new to the area here is what we did:

The tile installer was off a list from the Tile Company (Melcer), and they highlighted the reputable installers, which he was one of them.

The landscapers - everyone we asked their builder had done the work - so we actually got the name off this board - 2 individuals recommended them. Being new to the area - yes we're at a loss.

As for the pools, we asked, but again no one has installed a pool - so the one name was from an acquaintance and that was the one that gave me the lecture about after hour appointments! So we hit the internet and yellow pages.

As for doing it ourselves - my spouse works a lot of hours. Yes we've done all this work in the past - we've done irrigation systems, landscaped, tiled baths/showers, kitchens, but since we have almost 1 acre yard, I talked him into hiring it done this time. He was worried about doing the backsplash himself, since we decided to work with stone, and we really wanted it to look good - he was afraid his work wasn't to that level, but I think he would have done fine. Problem is he has too much on his plate.

As for the pool - well that's not really a do it yourself type thing unless it's a liner pool, and we're entertaining either gunite or fiberglass.

So far IF we can get someone to show up to quote the job - we give them the job - as we can't even get anyone out.

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by RJ17015

We're pretty laid back when it comes to service, unlike family members back north - but then you start to question what is acceptable.

We had a backsplash started the end of Jan. installer made error we had to order more tile - tile arrived, he just came this week to complete job - needs more tile - so backsplash still not complete.

Landscaper - irrigation system and sod - over 2 weeks now - I think 3 weeks, hopefully will be done this weekend.

But here is the kicker - we've called pool installers, we've gotten one company to come out and give us an idea of a design and approximate cost. One person gave me a lecture about everyone wanting after hours appointments, and that he has 3 kids and one on the way - and insists to daytime hours for meeting - meaning my spouse would have to take time off work. This was after we left a message, and he never returned our call - so I called him back. We've decided if that was the tone on the initial phone call - not a good sign of things to come.

We've called 2-3 other pool companies - no return calls, NOTHING! We'd like to talk to another pool company, but can't even get a call back.

It just amazes us that with the economy being so bad, here we're willing to spend $30k - $40K on a pool, and can't even get a call back.

We've been pretty patient so far, and realize this is a different area of the US, and that stores aren't open on Sunday, family owned restaurants close at whim... but continue to be amazed at how difficult it is to either get an estimate or to get a job done.

Is this the norm, or have we just run into some bad apples?

Was one of those pool companies Atkinson Pools?

[Catgirl]

Someone we know had their pool done by Blue Haven and were quite pleased with the company.