Landscaping project rant

[tvguy]

We are looking for a landscaper with a contractors license to install about 60 feet of drip irrigation in our front and back yard. Started the process in January at the Home Show. All the Landscapers there were very nice, and said it was too small a project for them to consider doing. They referred us to Thumbtack, Angi and Facebook for individuals or firms that do smaller projects. Three weeks into calling for bids to 15 different individuals we have had just one return call back. It was from the very nice wife of one individual on Thumbtack who called us right back, and said he has a $10,000 minimum!
All 14 others have not even called/tested or e-mailed back to say they are not interested. I understand they may be busy during the day, but as business people, I would think they might set aside a few minutes an evening to return messages.
I realize I worked in what many may consider an unreasonable system where we were expected to at least acknowledge a message within 15 minutes of it being sent during working hours, but 3 weeks, really?
Any tricks to getting contractors to call back, or is the economy so good they don't need the work?

 

[ClaraOswald]

So frustrating. I think we'll be in a similar boat later this year with people saying our interior project is "too small." I'm dreading it.

No tips on how to get anyone to call back. So many companies just aren't respectful.

 

[Cadiewampus]

We are looking for a landscaper with a contractors license to install about 60 feet of drip irrigation in our front and back yard. Started the process in January at the Home Show. All the Landscapers there were very nice, and said it was too small a project for them to consider doing. They referred us to Thumbtack, Angi and Facebook for individuals or firms that do smaller projects. Three weeks into calling for bids to 15 different individuals we have had just one return call back. It was from the very nice wife of one individual on Thumbtack who called us right back, and said he has a $10,000 minimum!
All 14 others have not even called/tested or e-mailed back to say they are not interested. I understand they may be busy during the day, but as business people, I would think they might set aside a few minutes an evening to return messages.
I realize I worked in what many may consider an unreasonable system where we were expected to at least acknowledge a message within 15 minutes of it being sent during working hours, but 3 weeks, really?
Any tricks to getting contractors to call back, or is the economy so good they don't need the work?

Any reason you can not do it yourself? Its very easy.

 

[tvguy]

Any reason you can not do it yourself? Its very easy.

I volunteered but my wife said no. That may change. We put in a system 30 years ago ourselves but it fell into disrepair.

 

[citruscurtis]

I volunteered but my wife said no. That may change. We put in a system 30 years ago ourselves but it fell into disrepair.

And there's the rub.... professional installers have the equipment and knowledge. Here in Yuma do it yourself has a 75% fail rate ....so it depends on the volume of housing developments in your area... AND unskilled laborer can probably do better in the natural hazard areas spread across the nation... so could be a laborer problem

 

[HeatherC]

Are you on the Nextdoor app? It is local for your neighbors. We use that and our local Facebook town group to find local people to do projects. It is great because people will let you know whether they liked a contractor or to steer clear. Very helpful and we usually find people we would have never come across. Usually wind up with contractors replying themselves as well. Might be worth a shot.

Good luck!

 

[tvguy]

Are you on the Nextdoor app? It is local for your neighbors. We use that and our local Facebook town group to find local people to do projects. It is great because people will let you know whether they liked a contractor or to steer clear. Very helpful and we usually find people we would have never come across. Usually wind up with contractors replying themselves as well. Might be worth a shot.

Good luck!

Those are the folks who don't return calls.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

Are you on Facebook? The only thing I can think of is put out a post to your friends and ask for recommendations. You never know who's family member does this sort of work and they might do it to help you out.

It's the same way in the midwest, where I live. Contractors just don't want to both with "little" jobs, which sucks because they don't know down the road if you could have a significant job for them. We live in a very small suburb area and the very few things that DH doesn't do around the house, we use very small ma and pa shops. At least they are willing to do the job and get back to you. Our lawn service (fertilizer) guy is probably the best service I've ever had. He responds within 30 minutes regardless of the time of day or night I email him.

 

[tvguy]

Are you on Facebook? The only thing I can think of is put out a post to your friends and ask for recommendations. You never know who's family member does this sort of work and they might do it to help you out.

It's the same way in the midwest, where I live. Contractors just don't want to both with "little" jobs, which sucks because they don't know down the road if you could have a significant job for them. We live in a very small suburb area and the very few things that DH doesn't do around the house, we use very small ma and pa shops. At least they are willing to do the job and get back to you. Our lawn service (fertilizer) guy is probably the best service I've ever had. He responds within 30 minutes regardless of the time of day or night I email him.

Yup, checked Facebook. Few are licensed contractors.

 

[barkley]

try calling local lawn service companies and see if they can recommend someone.

UC Davis has a landscape architecture program-you might call and see if they know of any students/grads who do this stuff (our former home was on a quarter acre lot and one of their students did the full design free in exchange for us letting them take before/in progress/after photos to submit as a project for one of their classes-we just called the department and offered up the opportunity).

 

[princesscinderella]

Do you currently have a lawn service who mows your lawn? If so ask them if they can do it. If you may end up DIYing it anyway if they aren’t licensed as a contractor but are on your property doing lawn care already it’s not much of a difference. Our lawn man maintains our sprinkler system and well pump it’s attached too. I too have problems with getting estimates or people to come for quotes where we live. They all only want the big jobs.