Is the economy really as bad as they say?

[jspbtown]

I hear so many stories about how tough times are and how people can't find work but lately it just seems like you can't get anyone to do a job because they are so darn busy.

Example 1: I want some landscaping done around my house. Mulching and some leveling of my yard. I also want to smooth out some areas around my fire pit so my guests aren't leaning in their chairs. I send out 6 emails for companies advertising for those services. Three never even respond. Two respond, we set appointments and then they never show up. They send an email the next day saying they are now too busy to come give me their estimate. Now I finally found someone and its about a $3000 job so its not chump change. But apparently all the area landscapers are too busy for a $3000 job.

Example 2: Helping my elderly parents close out an estate. We are selling the house and it needs to be power washed. I send out 10 emails asking for an estimate. 7 never even respond...even though they just posted ads for power washing services. One guy gets back to me and gives me a quote. I ask if he can meet me at the house to go over what he will do. Nope...he says he is too busy to meet. Even though he lives only 10 minutes away from the house I need washed! Guy two gives me a quote. Almost 50% higher than guy one. I reluctantly say OK...can he come this week. Nope...he is booked solid for the next month! Guy three comes out and leave a quote higher than guy two. I email him and ask if he can do it this week and radio silence.

If the freakin economy is so bad than why on earth can't I find people to do work for me!

[Zundfolge1432]

Maybe it's you not them?

[TDCTDI]

Buy a pressure washer, do the job & bill the estate for it & now you've got a new side job that funds your VW addiction.
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[jspbtown]

[Jon Schmid]

It was like trying to get any kind of a roofing quote here in SoCal late last year with all the El Nino BS going on. Fortunately I had my roof repairs done last spring when roofers weren't booked for 4 months, or so they would say.

[jspbtown]

[Letterman7]

It's a sign of the times, Jeff. It took me months to find someone to do a very small addition to my home. Called a dozen contractors, only one showed up and he didn't have great references. Finally another showed who was related to one of my clients and they got the job - and did it for half of the other contractor. It seems that it's not a matter of being busy - it seems that "people" just don't want to do real work. Pressure washing companies want the gravy jobs.. they don't want to haul ladders to clean houses. Landscapers are the worst. I have them as clients once in a while and it's always the same - looking for the least amount of work for the most money. Go to your local large nursery and ask around - better landscapers will shop those places rather than Home Depot or Lowes for their plants.

Dunno... it's the same around here. I don't have the time to do what I need to do but yet, when I look for quality hires, they just don't want to do the jobs.

[TDCTDI]

[vwracerdave]

Call them on the phone instead of eMailing them if you are serious about having the work done. 95% of the eMails they get are a waste of time.
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[EverettB]

I have heard this complaint too but I haven't had any trouble getting people on the phone to come do stuff when needed. Plumbing, electrical, a/c work, etc.

I don't know if it matters but I live in sort of a small town so I look up who is local and try to use them.
Small local companies that need to keep their reputation good or they are DOA.

Possible option for you:
There is a Facebook Group for my town and I can go search on there or post and ask what people to do XYZ and it's almost always everyone saying the same 1-2 local people or companies.
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[cbeck]

Check with the BBB. Are you looking for a real licensed contractor that carries liability and workers comp?

[Mos6502]

[bigdog1962]

Speaking of landscapers - my mother wanted someone to do some yardwork on a regular basis and she too had trouble finding someone. As my Dad put it...

"All they want to do is mow, blow and go."

Now anytime I see a company mowing the yard, I think of that. And what they charge for doing a yard is outrageous.

To each his own.

[andk5591]

This is all kind of interesting....I think the "bad economy" depends on location. We have the same issues here. Very challenging to for many folks to find contractors of almost any type because they are all slammed.

HOWEVER, here's part of the problem. Service providers and contractors will tend to give current customers priority over new business if they are having a hard time getting to all the customers. When things are slow, they can count on the existing customers for work.

I own a telephone answering service and we get loads of calls for our clients that involve someone with an urgent need, but isnt a current customer, during a peak time - like heat issues in the winter, a/c issues during a heat wave and landscaping etc in the spring. Many wont even take the calls because they are slammed with their current customers.

I never have an issue getting anything done when I need it because I always use the same folks, treat them with respect and pay them quickly. Hell, I decided to do an addition to my shop on a Friday and the contractor was prepping the site that Monday..... Just sayin.......
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[mark tucker]

I think people are getting too lazy.and only want to work for the ones they can bill 3x the normal price...at least. but ...many of the guys doing the work...get squat for pay. kinda like carrier going to mexiaco to pay $5.34 an hour instead of the $35 an hour up where they were building the airconditioners. but Ill bet the price of the units does not go down.well no more than $.06 and the guys that were building them????unemployment.

[Spezialist]

Be ready for the opportunities as they present themselves,
Next time someone tells you they can't find work, give em a job.
They will probably work cheaper than someone who doesn't need the work.
Who says it has to be done now?
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