I really hate contractors.

[Thor]

Had two of them out to the house to give estimate for various things. Neither has called back with a price, it's been well over a week. To hell with it I'll just do it myself.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

Had two of them out to the house to give estimate for various things. Neither has called back with a price, it's been well over a week. To hell with it I'll just do it myself.

What are you doing? were they supposed to call you or you call them...? lol. A week really isn't that long imo, contractors can get pretty busy...helps to know somebody in the biz though

 

[Thor]

What are you doing? were they supposed to call you or you call them...? lol. A week really isn't that long imo, contractors can get pretty busy...helps to know somebody in the biz though

I am replacing the wood posts and railing on the front porch. Probably just easier for me to do it. Hey both said the were contact me the following day with a price.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

I am replacing the wood posts and railing on the front porch. Probably just easier for me to do it. Hey both said the were contact me the following day with a price.

I've never done that but I also don't forsee it being too difficult. just measure twice, cut once.

 

[onebdzee]

I am replacing the wood posts and railing on the front porch. Probably just easier for me to do it. Hey both said the were contact me the following day with a price.

go to Lowes and do it yourself....takes a couple of hours of your time

 

[Thor]

go to Lowes and do it yourself....takes a couple of hours of your time

LOL it's a big porch.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

LOL it's a big porch.

Well if you have kids or a significant other, should be a project easy enough to let them help you...after you cut the wood that is lol. don't want any youngins doin that...lol

 

[Dougstermd]

go to DYSONS and do it yourself....takes a couple of hours of your time

FIXED


sorry but I had to send him to a real hardware store

 

[ImnoMensa]

Its awful hard to get anyone to do a small job. They all want to build houses.

 

[Cletus_Vandam]

Hopefully, neither one knows you are getting a second price, so call them both up and ask if they are interested in the job. If they don't call you back you know they aren't and honestly your better off.

 

[jenbengen]

Had two of them out to the house to give estimate for various things. Neither has called back with a price, it's been well over a week. To hell with it I'll just do it myself.

We needed a deck built that would be good $ for somebody and NONE of the contractors called back. Some never even bothered to show at the house. Not sure what the deal was, but we have had the same experiences as you.

 

[pilot]

Sometimes I think contractors play a game (especially if it's a small job) because they want to make sure that you're REALLY interested before they go through the effort of getting the estimate together (after all, it takes some time and research on their part, and if they do it, it's no guarantee that you'll choose them, or even to decide to go through with it).

You really do need to follow up, if only to let them know that you are seriously interested.

It also helps to make sure that you get a contractor who routinely does this kind of work. There are some who specifically advertise "No job too big or too small."

Lowes will set you up with a contractor, but you have to pay a fee upfront for them to do the estimate. However, I think the fee will be deducted if you choose Lowes.

Hope this helps!

 

[belvak]

Its awful hard to get anyone to do a small job. They all want to build houses.

With the way the housing market it is right now, you would think they would be jumping on any job that came along! We (read Son here) just replaced our posts and it didn't hurt me one bit!!

 

[Thor]

Its awful hard to get anyone to do a small job. They all want to build houses.

It's really not a small job, the material costs alone will be several thousand dollars.

 

[vraiblonde]

Sometimes I think contractors play a game (especially if it's a small job) because they want to make sure that you're REALLY interested before they go through the effort of getting the estimate together (after all, it takes some time and research on their part, and if they do it, it's no guarantee that you'll choose them, or even to decide to go through with it).

I think you're right about that - they can waste a lot of time on tire-kickers.

I'd have no problem if contractors charged for an estimate. Lowe's charges $35 and, as pilot said, they deduct it when you book the work.

 

[aanderson]

Its awful hard to get anyone to do a small job. They all want to build houses.

This is very true. My dad had a garage built and he had to tell the contractors when he called that it wasn't a small garage...it was the size of a small house...approx 1000 sqare feet. Most are so busy that small jobs just take up their time...