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Old 12-06-2008, 04:44 PM
 
181 posts, read 634,000 times
Reputation: 77

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So, I have some work to do in the house and posted an advert on Craigslist.... So far I have had a man who wanted to modernise a fairly preserved brownstone (and I mean modernise i.e. strip!), who then used my toilet only to pee on the seat - yum! I've had a number of 10 yr olds who happen to have '25 yrs of experience' - yeah, right! A man whose daughter rang up demanding why I never answered my phone (good start..that he had been outside for 2 hours (despite my sitting by the 1st floor window) whose father then came round and told me he could only do half the work.

Why is it soo hard to get experienced, sane workers for a fair price??
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Old 12-06-2008, 04:56 PM
 
Location: Splitting time between Dayton, NJ and Needmore, PA
1,184 posts, read 4,034,194 times
Reputation: 766
Craigslist = Caveat Emptor.

If I were looking for a contractor, I would start with the Better Business Bureau.
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Old 12-06-2008, 06:22 PM
 
Location: Cherry Hill, New Jersey
1,369 posts, read 4,630,651 times
Reputation: 685
Even better try Angie's List!

GL!
Shanny
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Old 12-06-2008, 06:27 PM
 
Location: New Jersey/Florida
5,816 posts, read 12,589,372 times
Reputation: 4409
with the unemployment rate at a 35 year high it kinda sucks that you can't find a decent contractor.
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Old 12-06-2008, 06:29 PM
 
9,124 posts, read 36,304,989 times
Reputation: 3630
For the most part, the only contractors looking for work on craigslist are bottom-feeders, as you're finding out.

If you want the job done right, try talking to some friends, neighbors, etc., to see if anyone can refer you to a contractor they've worked with in the past.
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Old 12-06-2008, 06:37 PM
 
181 posts, read 634,000 times
Reputation: 77
My phone has been ringing off the hook!! But, yeah - your right, if you want the job done well.....

The thing is, I just cannot believe the audacity (AKA self confidence / denial) of some people! I just would not have the guts to put myself forward for a job that I couldn't do (nevermind right).
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Old 12-06-2008, 06:50 PM
 
7,079 posts, read 37,876,549 times
Reputation: 4088
NEVER use Craigslist. Use the Franklin Report. MUCH better.
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Old 12-06-2008, 07:07 PM
 
181 posts, read 634,000 times
Reputation: 77
Franklin Report - THANKS! I'm a first time homeowner and wow....
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Old 12-06-2008, 09:27 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
10,447 posts, read 49,561,189 times
Reputation: 10614
Now that Im far from home and cant help Mom anymore she calls contractors from the church bullitan. Every church has a Sunday bullitan with ads on the backside.

I also agree with everyone that just about everything on Craigslist are scams.

Big problem is NJ dont have licensing for contractors so anyone with a pickup truck and a tool box can call themselves a contractor. And with the unemployment growing like a bean stalk there are a lot of people just looking to make some money being a handyman. Lots of people painted the walls in their home and think that qualifies them as a bonafied contractor.
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Old 12-07-2008, 05:45 AM
 
Location: Stewartsville, NJ
7,577 posts, read 22,563,891 times
Reputation: 1260
Quote:
Originally Posted by desertsun41 View Post
Now that Im far from home and cant help Mom anymore she calls contractors from the church bullitan. Every church has a Sunday bullitan with ads on the backside.

I also agree with everyone that just about everything on Craigslist are scams.

Big problem is NJ dont have licensing for contractors so anyone with a pickup truck and a tool box can call themselves a contractor. And with the unemployment growing like a bean stalk there are a lot of people just looking to make some money being a handyman. Lots of people painted the walls in their home and think that qualifies them as a bonafied contractor.
They do now... as of 2 yrs ago they started requiring lic. for contractors. So make sure you ask your contractor if he/she is lic. and insured...and always ask for a cert. of ins.

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Professional Boards and Advisory Committees (http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/consumeraffairs/search/searchentry.pl - broken link)
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