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Since I bought my condo last year I've had an incredibly hard time hiring people to do work. Painters, electricians, plumbers etc. I call people they don't call back...They make appointments but not show up...some show up for an estimate but never end up sending the estimate? It's so strange to me. I am still in need of an electrician. Is this problem specific to Newport or is it a Rhode Island thing? I am from New York and people are hungry for the work, this problem does't exist.
Since I bought my condo last year I've had an incredibly hard time hiring people to do work. Painters, electricians, plumbers etc. I call people they don't call back...They make appointments but not show up...some show up for an estimate but never end up sending the estimate? It's so strange to me. I am still in need of an electrician. Is this problem specific to Newport or is it a Rhode Island thing? I am from New York and people are hungry for the work, this problem does't exist.
Not specific to Newport. It can be unbelievably difficult in others areas of RI also.
Last edited by redplum33; 04-08-2019 at 05:52 PM..
Since I bought my condo last year I've had an incredibly hard time hiring people to do work. Painters, electricians, plumbers etc. I call people they don't call back...They make appointments but not show up...some show up for an estimate but never end up sending the estimate? It's so strange to me. I am still in need of an electrician. Is this problem specific to Newport or is it a Rhode Island thing? I am from New York and people are hungry for the work, this problem does't exist.
Get used to it. Rhode Island is not New York. Or Boston.
Location: Earth, a nice neighborhood in the Milky Way
3,790 posts, read 2,694,775 times
Reputation: 1609
Quote:
Originally Posted by amd9032
Since I bought my condo last year I've had an incredibly hard time hiring people to do work. Painters, electricians, plumbers etc. I call people they don't call back...They make appointments but not show up...some show up for an estimate but never end up sending the estimate? It's so strange to me. I am still in need of an electrician. Is this problem specific to Newport or is it a Rhode Island thing? I am from New York and people are hungry for the work, this problem does't exist.
I have experienced this in Rhode Island. The reality is that we have a dearth of skilled, reliable contractors who are also available. Skilled, reliable contractors have plenty of work servicing their routine customers. Many of the rest will fish, throwing out a big number to see if you bite.
Call your real estate professional involved in your condo transaction and ask them for their list of reliable contractors. You might have to name drop to get someone to show up.
Another option since you need an electrician is to go to your local electrical supply house and ask the guys at the counter who does quality residential work in your area. They deal with licensed electricians on a daily basis and will know somebody. Don't go to one of the big box stores, go to your local electrical supply house. That's where the professionals go.
Location: Earth, a nice neighborhood in the Milky Way
3,790 posts, read 2,694,775 times
Reputation: 1609
I thought of another tool for use in your search. The RI Department of Labor and Training maintains info about electricians (and some other trades). There are 34 licensed electricians listed in Newport (I'd expand my search to the rest of Aquidneck Island at least).
Since I bought my condo last year I've had an incredibly hard time hiring people to do work. Painters, electricians, plumbers etc. I call people they don't call back...They make appointments but not show up...some show up for an estimate but never end up sending the estimate? It's so strange to me. I am still in need of an electrician. Is this problem specific to Newport or is it a Rhode Island thing? I am from New York and people are hungry for the work, this problem does't exist.
You describe a universal problem. But, believe it or not, many contractors in the Newport area will not leave to take work in other parts of the state. When you do find a good tradesperson on Aquidneck Island or Newport county, hold them tight. HomeAdvisor can work if you have the patience.
Contractors in RI have all the work they want/need. And they don't need or want to travel. I'd only call a licensed electrician if the job is major- if it's minor call a handyman. Have you asked your condo neighbors who they use?
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
41,936 posts, read 36,957,550 times
Reputation: 40635
Quote:
Originally Posted by PureBoston
Difficult yes, but not impossible. As usual, Rhode Island is in a league of it's own. Completely dysfunctional.
I found it much harder in Massachusetts, personally. Trying to get anything done for my mother is near impossible.
Only trouble we've had in PVD is for more significant plumbing work, replacing casters and putting in some new pipes to get to code with laundry.
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