[HowDeDo]

My sister just moved to the Panhandle about 30 miles east of Pensacola . Shes needed various workmen to do things at her house . It seems the normal routine are for these people to be Jack-of-all-Trades and master of none ; if you can get them to return your phone call and actually come out, and hire them ... you dont hear or see them anymore or they drag their feet on getting the job finished and return numerous times. One Guy came out to cut down a couple trees, and his wife came with him and instilled so much doubt into how he should cut it down that they ended up in a fight....then the Guy admitted to my sister he wasnt sure on how to do it ! Electrician, Land Grading Guy, Carpenter, and Telephone Guy have all been a simular nightmare. If you live or have lived in rural Florida, did you have to endure such unprofessionalism in your dealings with workmen , or, is this typical of the South in particular ? Its far far less in the Midwest near a major city.

[annerk]

I am in a semi-rural area, and needed a plumber last week. A neighbor gave me a reference. The guys name was Cleetus. I swear. He and another guy came, worked on the problem for about an hour, when they were finished it was working better than when this house was brand new four years ago. Total bill was $180, which I thought was fair.

On the otherhand I had an irrigation company come who were highly recommended, they didn't call for markouts, cut my phone lines, spliced them back together wrong so the phone went out again a few days later and the phone company ahd to come fix it. They also screwed up something they were supposed to be fixing. $2000 later... I won't be using them again.

[HowDeDo]

'A neighbor gave me a reference. The guys name was Cleetus'

Sounds like brother to Maximus ! Was he also a part time Gladiator ?! Glad he did a decent job for you ; sometimes Gladiators work out well on plumbing issues (just dont tick 'em off !) Im moving to the Panhandle next year and hope i dont have the trouble my sisters has with workmen.

[Lakeland Yankee]

Originally Posted by HowDeDo

If you live or have lived in rural Florida, did you have to endure such unprofessionalism in your dealings with workmen , or, is this typical of the South in particular ? Its far far less in the Midwest near a major city.

Welcome to Florida. I live in Lakeland and it's the same way here.

I come from PA and these type of people would be out of business so fast it would make your head spin. Not here though, the transient nature of the state allows for scammers and others to flourish. Northerners are very common prey for them types. They rip you off and move on to the next victim. Someone new is always moving into the area.

I'm so tired of the unprofessionalism and the scams that I can't wait to move away!

Good Luck.

[HowDeDo]

Originally Posted by Lakeland Yankee

Welcome to Florida. I live in Lakeland and it's the same way here.

I come from PA and these type of people would be out of business so fast it would make your head spin. Not here though, the transient nature of the state allows for scammers and others to flourish. Northerners are very common prey for them types. They rip you off and move on to the next victim. Someone new is always moving into the area.

I'm so tired of the unprofessionalism and the scams that I can't wait to move away!

Good Luck.

Thanks for the tip ; being a Northerner coming to Florida, Ill be on guard.

[tallrick]

I do all my own work myself. It is so difficult for a qualified person to get a license and go into business, so you will have a hard time finding good workers. Large companies hire the cheapest labor and that is why workmanship is so bad. I wanted to go into that line of work years ago, but the licensing process was expensive and impossible unless you work for someone who exploits you first. I ended up working on network servers instead.

[FLBob]

My experience with Florida trades is no different than the experience I had up north. I've learned to work with people that are licensed, and local. I ask for specifics, I want to know what I'm paying for. I've learned that if someone can't be specific about what and when before they start the job, I'm not going to be happy after the job.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by annerk

I am in a semi-rural area, and needed a plumber last week. A neighbor gave me a reference. The guys name was Cleetus. I swear.

YouTube - Frank Zappa - Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus (♫)

[HowDeDo]

Originally Posted by tallrick

I do all my own work myself. It is so difficult for a qualified person to get a license and go into business, so you will have a hard time finding good workers. Large companies hire the cheapest labor and that is why workmanship is so bad. I wanted to go into that line of work years ago, but the licensing process was expensive and impossible unless you work for someone who exploits you first. I ended up working on network servers instead.

Then this explains why so many are unprofessional in customer relations and their actual work performed. Up in the north, we call them Moonlighters . Very few are good .

[beachmouse]

I live not too far from there, and can say that before we do any sort of home repair, we ask the cricle of people we know for their experiences good and bad. Managed to find a pretty good CH&A guy that way. (who has unfortunately retired recently)