What's the secret?

**Pippi L** · 12-06-2011, 11:33 AM

To getting contractors to call you back? I feel like I'm at a speakeasy without the password.

**Moonraker** · 12-06-2011, 11:58 AM

Like waiting to be asked to the prom, stop waiting and take action.
I just gave up on 2 contractors for the 18th & 19th time in my life.
#18 came out for the estimate and never responded. Such is life.

**Pippi L** · 12-06-2011, 12:17 PM

What action are you suggesting I take? It's not like I can force them to call me back. I've got green money and a respectable list of future work (in addition to the current project I need done), but the two contractors I've called so far haven't even responded at all. It strikes me as a strange business model.

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Like waiting to be asked to the prom, stop waiting and take action.
I just gave up on 2 contractors for the 18th & 19th time in my life.
#18 came out for the estimate and never responded. Such is life.

**qweezyq** · 12-06-2011, 12:34 PM

my theory is if they won't respond to your calls, do you really want them working on your property?

**Pippi L** · 12-06-2011, 12:57 PM

Exactly. That's why I'm about to write them off. It's a shame. One of them is active on this board and the other was recommended on this board. Oh well.

Originally Posted by qweezyq

my theory is if they won't respond to your calls, do you really want them working on your property?

**qweezyq** · 12-06-2011, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Pippi L

Exactly. That's why I'm about to write them off. It's a shame. One of them is active on this board and the other was recommended on this board. Oh well.

I am employ the same theory when looking for renters. If they don't return calls, don't show up to meet and then later ask to reschedule, etc I figure it is going to be a hassle to get the rent check from them as well. You would think contractors, renters and anyone else could fake being responsible until at least a contract is signed. nevertheless, i thank them for weeding themselves out.

**enyo** · 12-06-2011, 01:15 PM

Are the messages you leave concise? People that ramble on sometimes give the impression of someone that's indecisive and possibly a pain to deal with. I've seen instances where
the clients slowly creep the scope of work out to the point where they want a lot more work done for the same price.

They might just be busy too. Maybe the flooding from september increased their workload.

**rjj** · 12-06-2011, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Pippi L

Exactly. That's why I'm about to write them off. It's a shame. One of them is active on this board and the other was recommended on this board. Oh well.

I have been burned with this as well- by people very active on this board!

the problem is, a board like this is a podium for intelligent contractors/mechanical engineers to spout off all the things they know about houses, mechanicals, roofs, old structures, etc. they sound knowledgeable and experienced that it seems like a no brainer to hire them for your project(s).

the big issue: home improvement knowledge does not yield strong project management skills.

a contractor can posses all the knowledge in the world, but if they are bad project managers, administrators and book keepers- your project will take twice as long and have a plethora of construction issues. it’s even worse if they are too busy and take on your job without any clear plan on how to fit it into their schedule.

and in terms of adding to the SOW, as a customer- you should always ask if adding additional tasks to the SOW will take more time or $. I did this for my project when the need for additional work was discovered, but was told it wont affect the time line- the project was delayed by months.

**Pippi L** · 12-06-2011, 05:14 PM

I feel like my messages were concise. I tried to describe the job a little, but not in too much detail. Left my name and contact info, said I'd like to get someone to look at the job and give me an estimate, and asked for a callback. Seemed pretty basic to me. I would never, ever expect to add more work to a job without also expecting to pay more and add more to the timeline as well. I understand people being busy, but it's just basic business etiquette to return calls.

Originally Posted by enyo

Are the messages you leave concise? People that ramble on sometimes give the impression of someone that's indecisive and possibly a pain to deal with. I've seen instances where
the clients slowly creep the scope of work out to the point where they want a lot more work done for the same price.

They might just be busy too. Maybe the flooding from september increased their workload.

**Pippi L** · 12-06-2011, 05:22 PM

Yeah. It's just so disappointing. Especially when I see that they have time to post replies to this board all day, but they don't have time to return a legit phone call? I would just love to find someone really great that I could trust with all of my projects over time. My search continues, but from now on, it will be off of this board.

Originally Posted by rjj

I have been burned with this as well- by people very active on this board!

the problem is, a board like this is a podium for intelligent contractors/mechanical engineers to spout off all the things they know about houses, mechanicals, roofs, old structures, etc. they sound knowledgeable and experienced that it seems like a no brainer to hire them for your project(s).

the big issue: home improvement knowledge does not yield strong project management skills.

a contractor can posses all the knowledge in the world, but if they are bad project managers, administrators and book keepers- your project will take twice as long and have a plethora of construction issues. it’s even worse if they are too busy and take on your job without any clear plan on how to fit it into their schedule.

and in terms of adding to the SOW, as a customer- you should always ask if adding additional tasks to the SOW will take more time or $. I did this for my project when the need for additional work was discovered, but was told it wont affect the time line- the project was delayed by months.

**LUCas** · 12-06-2011, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Pippi L

I would just love to find someone really great that I could trust with all of my projects over time.

As soon as I figure out how to get Megan Fox and Olivia Wilde over for a threesome, I'll work on your more difficult request

Good luck. I hate contractors, they all lie.

**Polar Cub** · 12-07-2011, 05:02 AM

I've been through this on both ends. Plumbers, roofers, landscapers, etc. No call backs.
Also, as an owner of a business, I've had situations where I was so busy, the calls would come in way too fast for me to respond in a timely fashion. Sometimes leads can fall through the cracks during the chaos. Or they copied the phone # incorrectly. Try calling one more time. If a second call goes ignored, go with another contractor.

What type of contractor are you looking for ?

**HomeInspectorBC** · 12-07-2011, 07:29 AM

Hello and Happy Wednesday, the secret is call The Connelly Group at 215 380-4431 and we will be glad to talk your project over to see if we can help with your situation as we focus on doing a great job and customer service.

Thank you for your time,

**Pippi L** · 12-07-2011, 04:07 PM

I know all about chaos and being spread too thin since I work for a non-profit where everyone does the work of at least 4 people. And I'm not so unreasonable that I would post a thread about my frustration after only one phone call. I called both of these contractors twice AND I also emailed them before I ever posted about it on this board.

And this isn't even the first time I've been through this. Same thing happened about a year ago with a different batch of folks who were recommended here. I used to think this board was a legit resource, but I just can't think that anymore. And from now on, the more a "pro" posts on here, the more I will mistrust them.

Originally Posted by Polar Cub

I've been through this on both ends. Plumbers, roofers, landscapers, etc. No call backs.
Also, as an owner of a business, I've had situations where I was so busy, the calls would come in way too fast for me to respond in a timely fashion. Sometimes leads can fall through the cracks during the chaos. Or they copied the phone # incorrectly. Try calling one more time. If a second call goes ignored, go with another contractor.

What type of contractor are you looking for ?

**3rd&Brown** · 12-07-2011, 04:43 PM

I've had the same experience in the past, including with some on this board. That being said, I finally nabbed a really good contractor, who's identity I'll reveal as soon as he's finished at my house (PM me). I'm basically re-doing my entire first and second floors, and through it all, have been very impressed with my contractor's attention to detail and knowledge, even with respect to design.

That being said, I've had this exact conversation with him, about contractors in general. The way he explained it, sometimes some contractors are just overwhelmed with work and probably aren't as responsive as they could otherwise be because they're booked for the foreseeable future and getting more work isn't a priority. That isn't his MO, but it makes sense. It still makes sense, at a minimum, to call back and either explain the situation or recommend somebody that might have availability sooner.

It is important to note, I lucked out because he had an unusual lull in his schedule when I called him. At this point, I think he's basically booked through February.

**Satchel** · 12-08-2011, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by Pippi L

Yeah. It's just so disappointing. Especially when I see that they have time to post replies to this board all day, but they don't have time to return a legit phone call? I would just love to find someone really great that I could trust with all of my projects over time. My search continues, but from now on, it will be off of this board.

I've also been burned by a GC who is very active on this board. It was infuriating seeing him post several times a day, and not return my email or phone message for weeks. But shame on me for going with him- I learned the hard way. His project management skills were minimal at best.

I can understand how busy a GC can be, but that doesn't excuse them for not replying back to a potential customer at all. That just baffles me.

And for the professionals who chronically spout advice here (free advertising), put your money where your mouth is, and at least buy space on a banner ad.

**Pippi L** · 12-10-2011, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Satchel

I've also been burned by a GC who is very active on this board. It was infuriating seeing him post several times a day, and not return my email or phone message for weeks. But shame on me for going with him- I learned the hard way. His project management skills were minimal at best.

I can understand how busy a GC can be, but that doesn't excuse them for not replying back to a potential customer at all. That just baffles me.

And for the professionals who chronically spout advice here (free advertising), put your money where your mouth is, and at least buy space on a banner ad.

Yep. Exactly. -- it's free advertising. And what I really don't understand is what the point of it all is, since when you and I and others here (presumably the target audience for their posts/ads) actually call them, they don't even respond. If not us, who in the world are they trying to reach with this message board advertising? It's just so completely pointless.

**Pippi L** · 12-10-2011, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

I've had the same experience in the past, including with some on this board. That being said, I finally nabbed a really good contractor, who's identity I'll reveal as soon as he's finished at my house (PM me). I'm basically re-doing my entire first and second floors, and through it all, have been very impressed with my contractor's attention to detail and knowledge, even with respect to design.

That being said, I've had this exact conversation with him, about contractors in general. The way he explained it, sometimes some contractors are just overwhelmed with work and probably aren't as responsive as they could otherwise be because they're booked for the foreseeable future and getting more work isn't a priority. That isn't his MO, but it makes sense. It still makes sense, at a minimum, to call back and either explain the situation or recommend somebody that might have availability sooner.

It is important to note, I lucked out because he had an unusual lull in his schedule when I called him. At this point, I think he's basically booked through February.

Have sent you a PM. Maybe I'll get lucky, too. Or.... maybe I'll just give up and do it all myself

**qweezyq** · 12-11-2011, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Satchel

I've also been burned by a GC who is very active on this board. It was infuriating seeing him post several times a day, and not return my email or phone message for weeks. But shame on me for going with him- I learned the hard way. His project management skills were minimal at best.

I can understand how busy a GC can be, but that doesn't excuse them for not replying back to a potential customer at all. That just baffles me.

And for the professionals who chronically spout advice here (free advertising), put your money where your mouth is, and at least buy space on a banner ad.

Why are you guys trying to protect the bad one's identity?

**stonefly** · 12-12-2011, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Satchel

And for the professionals who chronically spout advice here (free advertising), put your money where your mouth is, and at least buy space on a banner ad.

I have gotten a lot of great advice from the professionals on PS, and I am very grateful for it. In return for their free advice, the pros get some advertising. I think it is a fair arrangement. The person seeking advice gets some good info for free.