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I've been experiencing the same thing trying to hire an electrician. I'm remodeling the kitchen and need some electrical work done. I called the electrician the cabinet shop recommended. He came out the next morning, nice, friendly guy, looked everything over, took good notes, and said he would work it up and email me that evening with a quote.
He said the job would take about two days, so I would think it was something someone would want to do.
After not hearing from him, I called him a couple of days later and he said he had been busy preparing for his tax appointment but would get back to me as soon as the appointment was over.
Since I have a several weeks before the cabinets arrive I gave him more time, and called him again two weeks after his initial visit. Got an answering machine and left a message. That was three days ago and have heard nothing.
So I took pictures of my kitchen and wrote a detailed description of exactly what needs to be done, and emailed it to four more electricians, and asked them to call or email me if they have questions or wish to discuss the details, or if they would like to do a site inspection..
So far crickets... Not one single response, not even "No, not interested"
I took pictures of my kitchen and wrote a detailed description of exactly what needs to be done, and emailed it to four more electricians, and asked them to call or email me if they have questions or wish to discuss the details, or if they would like to do a site inspection..
So far crickets... Not one single response, not even "No, not interested"
I hate to sound like a broken record, but I will say it again:
Expecting non-professionals to act in a professional--and courteous--manner is probably not realistic.
Yes, I realize that this is a sad commentary on the state of those professions, but my experience, your experience, and the experiences of everyone with whom I associate tells me that these folks rarely have the capacity or the instinct to act in a professional and courteous manner.
Last edited by Retriever; 04-13-2016 at 05:20 PM..
I hate to sound like a broken record, but I will say it again:
Expecting non-professionals to act in a professional--and courteous--manner is probably not realistic.
Yes, I realize that this is a sad commentary on the state of those professions, but my experience, your experience, and the experiences of everyone with whom I associate tells me that these folks rarely have the capacity or the instinct to act in a professional and courteous manner.
I'm not sure where you got the idea they are non professionals, all were licensed, bonded, insured, and recommended professionals. I can understand if they would respond and say they are too busy or the job is too small, but to just ignore me doesn't make sense..
So I guess by the fact they wouldn't make the effort to respond, they surely didn't act in a professional manner..
I'm not sure where you got the idea they are non professionals, all were licensed, bonded, insured, and recommended professionals. I can understand if they would respond and say they are too busy or the job is too small, but to just ignore me doesn't make sense..
So I guess by the fact they wouldn't make the effort to respond, they surely didn't act in a professional manner..
I hate it when I hear contractors not returning calls...........IMO......it is part of the job.
Last night I returned four calls.........it did not take long at all........I got an answering machine on all four calls.
BTW, the messages on the machines where all "generic".........I am never 100% sure they get the message with "generic" messages.
I hate it when I hear contractors not returning calls...........IMO......it is part of the job.
Last night I returned four calls.........it did not take long at all........I got an answering machine on all four calls.
BTW, the messages on the machines where all "generic".........I am never 100% sure they get the message with "generic" messages.
Most people these days are impatient unless they are over 40 they will return your call. Most younger people just google up contractors and go right down the list and whoever answers first gets the job. I've had quite a bit of people say they called someone else because i didn't answer right away. God forbid umm i'm too busy working to answer your call. Pretty hard to crawl through an attic running wire and stopping to answer the phone. The patience level of an instant gratification society is non existent. I even get people who text me for work! If you can't call me then you are just wasting my time. Again it's mostly younger people who do that.
Most people these days are impatient unless they are over 40 they will return your call. Most younger people just google up contractors and go right down the list and whoever answers first gets the job. I've had quite a bit of people say they called someone else because i didn't answer right away. God forbid umm i'm too busy working to answer your call. Pretty hard to crawl through an attic running wire and stopping to answer the phone. The patience level of an instant gratification society is non existent. I even get people who text me for work! If you can't call me then you are just wasting my time. Again it's mostly younger people who do that.
Just last night my DH and myself were talking about things as you see it.
IF we were starting over today our business would start with an "A". (I liked "All Wells)
But, we are getting old..........so starting with an "E" gives us a fair share.
E-mailed my contractor/handyman to see when he'd be by to finish up the little fix-it jobs he started for me months ago; he's starting a new construction project and laying flooring and will get with me later. Like I said, they won't piddle around with your little handyman chores when there are bucks to make...
I like the way my last handyman (not a contractor, but an engineer/CEO that built 5-6 of his own homes) worked - I'd pay him per day so no matter how small the job, he'd make the same amount of money. It also helped that he was retired and filthy rich so working on homes was just a hobby done mostly for enjoyment. Finding someone like that is almost impossible though.
I like the way my last handyman (not a contractor, but an engineer/CEO that built 5-6 of his own homes) worked - I'd pay him per day so no matter how small the job, he'd make the same amount of money. It also helped that he was retired and filthy rich so working on homes was just a hobby done mostly for enjoyment. Finding someone like that is almost impossible though.
I can do a lot of difficult jobs in day I would never limit my income severely by working for a "day rate". I can upgrade an electrical service in one day and charge over $1,500 for a basic back to back upgrade in se cable. Materials can be as low as $600 for an upgrade depending on different things. So $900 income for the day but i have expenses obviously. But anyway would you pay my $1,500 day rate? I don't think so. Most of these people who talk about "day rates" are talking about the $3-$500 range. And people want specialty involved work for those prices. Nobody benefits in that situation except the home owner laughing all the way to the bank getting the contractor his measly $300...no thanks.
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God forbid umm i'm too busy working to answer your call. Pretty hard to crawl through an attic running wire and stopping to answer the phone. The patience level of an instant gratification society is non existent. I even get people who text me for work! If you can't call me then you are just wasting my time. Again it's mostly younger people who do that.
