Curious to know how widespread this issue is. I have several projects I need done at my house but am finding it hard to get people to do them. I had one contractor come out to look at them all and he had great ideas and was supposed to get back to me with a quote. Never heard back.
I thought maybe I’d overwhelmed him (small 2 brother company that 2 people had recommended to me), so decided to call another plumber about just redoing the small bathroom - install tub, surround, vanity. I initially contacted them on their web site and they emailed and said to call with more information. Called several times and left messages. About the 4th time finally got hold of someone and gave the details and they were supposed to get back to me. Never did.
Finally called another plumber a coworker recommended. He’s great and the tub and surround should be done this week. But does the plumbing only so we’d have to have someone else do the drywall and install the vanity (he’ll plumb it). Very happy with him. But the master shower needs probably a complete redo - tile is really in poor condition - he does not do tile so we need to find someone else. It’s frustrating that people don’t even call back. Even if they are busy but can let us know they will schedule us for whenever.
Is it the same everywhere? My friend in Houston said her neighbor wanted to expand her patio and could not get anyone to return her calls. Another friend in Florida has several projects and lots of money to spend but can’t find people (and that was before hurricane Ian so worse now).
We’re hoping to sell the house to downsize and move closer to our son and family but at this rate the house will never be ready.
Yes yes and yes.
I’ve been waiting 13 months to have a contractor start another project but because of that back up in permits, it’s going to be a bear. Plus, we need a structural engineer and architect. Haven’t been able to get a hold of anyone who can come out and has worked with this contractor.
I had a door guy come to custom build my water heater door (that’s on the outside of the house and is unique and elevated). He started, in the summer, measuring, hadn’t heard back from him. Contacted him this past week said he would be out this weekend. Haven’t heard a peep out of him all weekend.
My first floor contractor is really good at what he does but he’s so swamped with work and he doesn’t typically work in this area the county. We have seen the work that he’s done and he redid our bathroom flood areas and they came out beautiful and perfect. I’m hoping The wait is worth it.
I started planning a kitchen, family room and 3 1/2 bath renovation 2 years ago- finally done. Took many months to find a contractor. Can relate to all the no call backs- one even took a copy of my plans, never got back to me or bothered to reply when I asked for the plans back- everyone has plenty of work. So now my DH keeps finding more stuff for him to do.
Yes where I live also. I waited MONTHs to have someone (I knew to be really good) paint my kitchen cabinets. Other projects some people didn’t even call back, just like you mention.
I think since COVID, many people spend so much time inside, they decided home projects needed to be done.
Our most recent project was a solar installation, and we are just finishing up - the contract was signed in early May. Supply chain and labor shortages. I’m starting to work on deck resurfacing quotes for spring - now!
It’s been a problem around here for years. The smaller the job, the bigger the challenge. (For example, a popular tree trimmer has switched to only doing jobs at commercial properties.) You can’t blame contractors for preferring bigger jobs, less time spent on estimates etc. But it gets frustrating.
I am encouraged by NextDoor potential. I joined a few months ago see a lot of posts that say, “I need xyz”, then eager contractor(s) who have time in schedule responding. Often there are numerous locals who respond with positive feedback (and sometimes even with proud photos of completed projects). Job types range from lawn/yardwork to plumbing to painting to home renovation,
Yep, problem in my neck of the woods too. We waited 3 months for our contractor (who we had a previous relationship) to just come look at the project, another 3 months to get the quote, and then a few more months before they actually started. We’ve referred him to friends and he’s scheduling a year out.
The only time we’ve been able to get work done promptly was when there was an emergency and then we paid a ridiculous fee.
We struggled a bit to get quotes and get our split ductless A/C system for our house. Two of the people who gave quotes were a bit unsure of when they could get the equipment to install. We were happy with the guy we hired who was able to install it on the dates we selected and did an excellent job with his crew.
We never got quotes we had requested on getting bathroom remodeled and never got more samples of countertop options. They never came to pick up the samples that H and kids didn’t like either. Fortunately bathroom still functions so we have pretty much given up trying to get a remodel.
Yes, here too (Los Angeles) - helping rehab my D’s condo (50 miles from where I live) - same story, had a contractor come (recommended by good friend), reviewed several items, was enthusiastic, and that was the end. I even texted him after thanking him for his time & ideas…nothing. Oh well.
Kitchen remodel went into contract Aug 31st…start date (are you sitting down?) Feb 13, 2023! But at least I have a date (reputable company, 2nd project with them).
Needed the bathroom gutted - couldn’t get one person to keep an appointment - serendipitously found a woman local to where I live (on Nextdoor @Colorado_mom!) who is a project manager with a team of craftspeople - she and her team have been incredible - she charges a 10% pm fee, and coordinates everything. Her prices have been very reasonable. I source materials, they pick up. She and I meet in person every couple of weeks and go over next steps. Bathroom is currently down to studs and after building dept inspection this week, will begin putting it back together - I feel in good hands with this team. I’m keeping them busy with smaller projects too - new closet doors, some minor painting, etc.
It was so stressful until I found her! And I’ll never do a “long distance” remodel again.
I don’t know if it’s people are busier, short handed, or what. The supply chain story feels old now but it is real. I see it at Lowes and Home Depot…all I know is I look forward to this project being completed and D can move into her place! Luckily we’re not pressed for time.
Yes, although for us it’s not really a new experience since the pandemic. I don’t mind if someone says up front they’re too busy, what baffles me are the ones who make an appointment for an estimate, take the time to visit the house, then never get back to me. We’ve also had a few increase the scope of work before submitting their quote only to be surprised when we rejected them despite their offer of credit/payment plans. No thanks, not going into debt for that.
I think we’re still feeling the fall out from 2008-2010 when a lot of trades went out of business and few young people chose to work in those fields. The local builders’ associations started offering free training classes with guaranteed jobs upon completion but it was too little too late to make a difference before the pandemic.
For four decades, H and I refinished our hardwood floors, laid tile floors and backsplashes, hung drywall or patched plaster then painted, installed new lights and switches, etc. We both feel too old to tackle most of those jobs now. H still does a lot of simple electrical work and other repairs, but I can’t swing a sledge any longer and even painting gets painful with carpal tunnel.
I’ve talked with the young plumbers and HVAC installers hired by a couple of business owners I know and they’re happy with their work and the pay. However, they also feel the strain of too few coworkers when there are so many emergency jobs. Some non-emergency customers have taken out their frustrations on these guys and I feel for them.
We had our master bath done one year ago and ran into the same issues. I think our project was too small for the big firms, especially because we were budget conscious. But we also had the experience of someone coming out, giving us great suggestions, and then disappearing and never giving us an estimate. We finally found someone to do it who was just a solo guy doing his own thing. He did a good job though it took a lot longer than we planned. We purchased a lot of the supplies materials ourselves and he did the work. Happy to have it done and not interested in jumping into another project anytime soon!
Same here. Our kitchen remodel took about 6-8 months. Almost a year for new custom doors. I basically did our landscaping project.
Have a friend who had some work done on his house before he sold it. The conversation with the contractor started with “here’s what I can get”. Not “what do you want”.
I’m wondering if a slowing housing market will alleviate some of the issues? Assuming some of the supply chain issues clear up.
We used YardZen to design a new front and back yard and they connected us to an available contractor. We got an estimate at the end of August, work started in mid-Sept and we are just finishing now. It was a huge project (with new patio, deck, hot tub, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, aall new landscaping, irrigation, lighting, etc). It was expensive but it got done and it’s gorgeous.
Oh wow, did not expect so many replies! Especially surprised how many have had the same issue with people coming out to look to give a quote then never getting back with one. Looks like I’ll be doing more stuff myself than I’d prefer.
The plumber we found finished installing the tub and surround in the 2nd bathroom. Very happy with it. He’s supposed to come back and do a couple of other jobs - fixing outside faucets etc. We asked if he knew anyone that would do the shower in the master. He said he knows someone but they don’t always follow through when they say they’ll do a job so that was not encouraging.
Guess I need to start calling round again. So frustrating. I want to get the house on the market by May - June.
It’s been a problem that’s been on the horizon for years. The 2020/2021 shutdown and the trickledown of the supply chain issues have aggravated the issue.
Lack of tradespeople, plain & simple. It will only continue to get worse because we are so focused on career paths that include college, there’s virtually no promotion of careers in the trades. Eventually it will become a national crisis. It’s been hard enough staffing large construction jobs and now the trickledown is affecting small residential jobs.
If you have a kid who’s on the fence about college or one who doesn’t seem like they’d thrive in that environment, suggest a career in the trades. There’s plenty of money to be made! A family friend who owns his own landscaping business (no college degree) just built his second beach house.
High schools need to start treating careers in the trades with the same reverence as college acceptances!
Yes, we’ve had people who came and did estimates, seemed interested in the job, and then ghosted. This happened even with a big and expensive job to replace siding on the front of the house and redo the flashing.
We’ve had the best luck through recommendations from friends after their renovations, decks, etc. Many of the people who do trade work in our area outside NYC are undocumented immigrants.
Not work on house, but I need minor damage to car repaired. Estimate today, and was told repair would be March 2023. Called another shop, same thing , late Feb. 2023.
1st place not even taking assignments if car is not drivable. I was told both supply chain issues and no techs to do work.