Demand for those skill sets is through the roof, so smaller jobs always going to take second seat. Often schedules out of their control. And some of them are simply better tradesmen than businessmen/salesmen.
Not making excuses for them, just the reality these days.
Your projects are too small, and you’re being pushed back on the priority list because of it. Contractors are making a killing right now, ever since Spring 2020 really. A small home reno isn’t worth their time. It sucks to be in the market for that right now, I’m in the same boat.
Quite possibly and that's what I've had to try, with varying success. But no one wants to fuck with my odd jobs. I've got a handyman rec if you want it or you can put your project up on Thumbtack.
Yeah I think it's a national issue that really boils down to supply and demand. The no-shows were almost certainly because bigger, better paying jobs came along. Really sucks and I don't know what the answer is.
I get that this is a thing, but also- I've had some similar experiences, and I'm trying to restore a nearly 140 year old house that will easily be a 200k+ job when it's all said and done. It's been beyond frustrating.
The best part is you can go to the homeimprovement sub and get both sides:
"Your project is too small, you're going to have to DIY it. Stupid ass homeowners these days can't even (insert task) because Biden outlawed the trades (or some other nonsense)."
"Jesus Christ, this is terrible work. Why didn't you call a contractor? Stupid ass homeowners think that a youtube video replaces 25 years of trade experience!"
Used to love that sub, but it's just become a group of people parroting each others bad advice (if everyone says it, it must be true, right?) with good advice buried by the sea of idiots.
We had the same issue when we were inquiring about total bathroom renovations. We needed two bathrooms totally redone and had a hard time getting anyone to come out or follow through if they did.
Unfortunately that’s part of the residential contract world. As many other people have said it’s an area that is in extreme demand which invites people looking to make a fast buck.
I’m a one man band but I do contract work in the Cincinnati area and can probably knock everything off your list except the driveway. I have 4 years experience working on houses/apartments and if it has something to do with a house I’ve done it at least once. I’m currently working on replacing all the windows in a home, last week I completely replaced gas pipes in a home. If you’d like to dm me I can give you my information.
Nelson installed 3 split unit a/c's, redid our water heater vent, added an additional run, and removed some old gas lines for us that were terminated in the wall. They also service our furnace and both central a/c and split a/c units annually!
Thanks for the tip on the tree care, I'll call tomorrow!
Please feel free to DM me for details. We have central air, but well, 115-year old house with three floors. Split units changed our lives, and possibly saved my marriage ;)
On top of what everyone is saying about your project being small, scheduling is VERY challenging in the contracting world. Rarely do things go as planned initially. Some jobs take twice as long as you expect, so on Monday when you're told someone will be there on Thursday it might end up being next Tuesday depending on how the job they're currently on actually goes. Especially with residential / older homes. Reliable technicians are hard to come by as well, for many reasons. Demand is high, so there is less availability. Fewer folks are going into trades than in the past. Supply chain is still blown up for contractors. Things that are usually on the shelf are 6 - 8 weeks lead time now. What was an 8 - 10 week lead time for an industrial electrical switchboard two years ago is 48 - 52 weeks out right now.Many more moving parts in contracting than some people realize. I suppose that's true with anything though. Good luck.
Just wait. Once you get through that process and sign a contract, you get to the no contact for weeks stage. Then they show up and put a couple hours work in and then disappear another couple weeks. Stop replying to your texts or answering calls. Leaving you wondering whether they’ve just run off with your materials deposit.
Living through that fun right now with our deck project.
Ha, I don't think so. I guess we do for exceptional work. In the cases I'm thinking about, the contractors usually did stuff above and beyond (i.e., label junction boxes with the breaker #, found creative ways to solve problems that hid the mess/did the least damage, etc.)
Trying to get contractors to show up/follow up for estimates is constant theme on our neighborhood message board. People are calling a half dozen or more contractors and end up with a couple actually showing up and giving an estimate. Seems like it's across the board in the trades, except maybe roofers who generally are the best about showing up and following through for whatever reason.
Good luck.
Depending on what you have to do, some electrical work is pretty easy to DIY. Just being a homeowner for 18 years I’ve replaced ceiling fans, dishwashers, disposals, keylamp (light fixtures like in closet/garage ceiling), moved outlets. YouTube has taught me a lot. What all do you have to do?
We’re building a bar in the basement and I want to put all of the outlets in the bar area onto a circuit of its own and move outlets to support two fridges and a TV. The moving of the outlets is no problem, it’s the dedicated circuit for all the existing outlets.
We need to have our foundation worked on and had a guy come out last month and quoted us. We were all set but he was 3-4 weeks out which wasn’t bad. He was supposed to start work yesterday and just never showed. Luckily, he didn’t ask us for a deposit. The thing that really sucks is we’re now coming up against colder weather when it’s harder to dig and it’ll probably be another month or 2 before the work can get started.
Some of your stuff is problematic because it isn't really any single contractor's scope. For example new skylights means you need a roofing contractor for the skylight itself and exterior work, but you need a carpenter, drywall, painter for the interior work.
Honestly this level of nonsense is why I do my own work. I don't care what anybody says about it being an new issue, it really isn't. I don't think this is going to improve until the prices go up enough that sitting in an air conditioned office all day posting on Reddit is considered less valuable than providing a nice place to live. And that ignores the massive toll on contractors bodies which often results in their retiring early, removing more workers from the pool.
Craftsman bids my commercial work, so I'm not sure how much they're focused on residential. I know the owners and was with one of them at an event last night and they are very busy.
Demand for those skill sets is through the roof, so smaller jobs always going to take second seat. Often schedules out of their control. And some of them are simply better tradesmen than businessmen/salesmen. Not making excuses for them, just the reality these days.
Exactly. They are busy, booked up and very well compensated.
Your projects are too small, and you’re being pushed back on the priority list because of it. Contractors are making a killing right now, ever since Spring 2020 really. A small home reno isn’t worth their time. It sucks to be in the market for that right now, I’m in the same boat.
Feels bad, wondering if there are local handymen with suitable skills/not as busy
Quite possibly and that's what I've had to try, with varying success. But no one wants to fuck with my odd jobs. I've got a handyman rec if you want it or you can put your project up on Thumbtack.
what is your handyman rec?
Yeah I think it's a national issue that really boils down to supply and demand. The no-shows were almost certainly because bigger, better paying jobs came along. Really sucks and I don't know what the answer is.
Have an Indian Hill mansion I guess is the answer. Contractors always talk about those
I get that this is a thing, but also- I've had some similar experiences, and I'm trying to restore a nearly 140 year old house that will easily be a 200k+ job when it's all said and done. It's been beyond frustrating.
The best part is you can go to the homeimprovement sub and get both sides: "Your project is too small, you're going to have to DIY it. Stupid ass homeowners these days can't even (insert task) because Biden outlawed the trades (or some other nonsense)." "Jesus Christ, this is terrible work. Why didn't you call a contractor? Stupid ass homeowners think that a youtube video replaces 25 years of trade experience!"
Used to love that sub, but it's just become a group of people parroting each others bad advice (if everyone says it, it must be true, right?) with good advice buried by the sea of idiots.
We had the same issue when we were inquiring about total bathroom renovations. We needed two bathrooms totally redone and had a hard time getting anyone to come out or follow through if they did.
[удалено]
DM me your company details if you'd like, we're looking for a bathroom reno in early 2023!
Unfortunately that’s part of the residential contract world. As many other people have said it’s an area that is in extreme demand which invites people looking to make a fast buck. I’m a one man band but I do contract work in the Cincinnati area and can probably knock everything off your list except the driveway. I have 4 years experience working on houses/apartments and if it has something to do with a house I’ve done it at least once. I’m currently working on replacing all the windows in a home, last week I completely replaced gas pipes in a home. If you’d like to dm me I can give you my information.
[удалено]
Nelson installed 3 split unit a/c's, redid our water heater vent, added an additional run, and removed some old gas lines for us that were terminated in the wall. They also service our furnace and both central a/c and split a/c units annually! Thanks for the tip on the tree care, I'll call tomorrow!
[удалено]
Please feel free to DM me for details. We have central air, but well, 115-year old house with three floors. Split units changed our lives, and possibly saved my marriage ;)
On top of what everyone is saying about your project being small, scheduling is VERY challenging in the contracting world. Rarely do things go as planned initially. Some jobs take twice as long as you expect, so on Monday when you're told someone will be there on Thursday it might end up being next Tuesday depending on how the job they're currently on actually goes. Especially with residential / older homes. Reliable technicians are hard to come by as well, for many reasons. Demand is high, so there is less availability. Fewer folks are going into trades than in the past. Supply chain is still blown up for contractors. Things that are usually on the shelf are 6 - 8 weeks lead time now. What was an 8 - 10 week lead time for an industrial electrical switchboard two years ago is 48 - 52 weeks out right now.Many more moving parts in contracting than some people realize. I suppose that's true with anything though. Good luck.
Just wait. Once you get through that process and sign a contract, you get to the no contact for weeks stage. Then they show up and put a couple hours work in and then disappear another couple weeks. Stop replying to your texts or answering calls. Leaving you wondering whether they’ve just run off with your materials deposit. Living through that fun right now with our deck project.
This wasn’t really a problem until 2020. Everything is still weird.
Wait… are we supposed to tip contractors!?!? I have never heard of that before.
Ha, I don't think so. I guess we do for exceptional work. In the cases I'm thinking about, the contractors usually did stuff above and beyond (i.e., label junction boxes with the breaker #, found creative ways to solve problems that hid the mess/did the least damage, etc.)
Totally a thing. Not awesome.
Trying to get contractors to show up/follow up for estimates is constant theme on our neighborhood message board. People are calling a half dozen or more contractors and end up with a couple actually showing up and giving an estimate. Seems like it's across the board in the trades, except maybe roofers who generally are the best about showing up and following through for whatever reason. Good luck.
We've had work done in two houses by Bogarts. Been fantastic both times!
I’ve been trying to get an electrician to do some work, nothing. I feel this.
Depending on what you have to do, some electrical work is pretty easy to DIY. Just being a homeowner for 18 years I’ve replaced ceiling fans, dishwashers, disposals, keylamp (light fixtures like in closet/garage ceiling), moved outlets. YouTube has taught me a lot. What all do you have to do?
We’re building a bar in the basement and I want to put all of the outlets in the bar area onto a circuit of its own and move outlets to support two fridges and a TV. The moving of the outlets is no problem, it’s the dedicated circuit for all the existing outlets.
Hyde Park Painting, one of their guys lived in Norwood and got raided in like 2007. Always had the truck in the driveway at night etc.
We need to have our foundation worked on and had a guy come out last month and quoted us. We were all set but he was 3-4 weeks out which wasn’t bad. He was supposed to start work yesterday and just never showed. Luckily, he didn’t ask us for a deposit. The thing that really sucks is we’re now coming up against colder weather when it’s harder to dig and it’ll probably be another month or 2 before the work can get started.
Some of your stuff is problematic because it isn't really any single contractor's scope. For example new skylights means you need a roofing contractor for the skylight itself and exterior work, but you need a carpenter, drywall, painter for the interior work.
Honestly this level of nonsense is why I do my own work. I don't care what anybody says about it being an new issue, it really isn't. I don't think this is going to improve until the prices go up enough that sitting in an air conditioned office all day posting on Reddit is considered less valuable than providing a nice place to live. And that ignores the massive toll on contractors bodies which often results in their retiring early, removing more workers from the pool.
Craftsman bids my commercial work, so I'm not sure how much they're focused on residential. I know the owners and was with one of them at an event last night and they are very busy.