"Sorry, we are too busy now!"

[RitaZ.]

We have decided to replace the sliding door that leads to the patio with french doors. We don't want anything fancy, just the clear glass type. The problem is that the opening is 8 feet wide, so we would need 2 "side-lites", which would have to be custom-made. I guess that complicates things...

Anyway, I have been calling around trying to get a general idea on prices and to set up appointments to get an actual quote. The last place that I called, the man told me that they weren't interested in doing it for us. According to him, if I had called 6 months earlier they would have been able to do it. They are just TOO busy now, those were his words. Huh? Turning business away?

I guess french doors are in high demand these days!

 

[tc]

We put in our french doors ourselve at our old house. Bought them at Home Depot. They walked Stephen through the process and it worked out marvelously. You could pay to have them install them too, but we were pretty confident we could do it on our own. Maybe try them, I doubt they are too busy. I have never heard of a business telling someone they couldn't help them. Business must be good.

 

[snoopy]

This is becoming increasingly more common around here too - service people that turn away work.

When I was a kid I can remember people coming around to the house, knocking on doors, looking for work. But this day in age, when everyone is so busy keeping up with the Joneses, service people are in high demand. My BIL is a carpenter and frequently has to turn away jobs, there is just so many hours in the day and he could no way take on all the jobs he is offered.

 

[JESW]

You are lucky that you actually got to talk with a person! Yes, around here contractors are turning down work or not even returning phone calls. We had someone out here 4 & 1/2 weeks ago to show him some work we wanted done. (molding, front door installed, two office doors, fireplace surround, nothing too complex) This gentleman had done work for us before and told us he would call us back in two weeks with a quote. Well, as I said in the beginning, it's been over 4 weeks. We'll have to call him again. He did say that he was real busy.

Good luck getting your work done!

Jill

 

[Piglet]

I work for a Plumbing, Heating and A/C business and we have been having to tell people that we can't do their work. We are so busy with new homes, right now we have 26 that needs started.

It's great that we are so busy, but I hate to turn people away, especially when they need heat or water. But we just don't have enough time.

Melinda

 

[debster812]

My dad is a carpenter as well (it was his 2nd job when he was a firefighter, now it is his 'retirement' job) Since he is currently a one man show, he does small jobs. He also has been turning people away, or telling them not until the end of the summer.

I think the economy has something to do with it. People are fixing up thier homes, rather than buying bigger, newer ones. I know that is the road we are taking in another year or so, we are going to put an addition on

 

[AMClvsMKY]

Be happy they turned you down if they are too busy. We just had some painting work done at work and the company accepted the job but didn't show up when they said they would and finished the job late due to being over booked and having to finish other jobs first.

 

[Cinders]

At least they were honest upfront and told you they were too busy. DH is an electrician and his boss hired 2 new guys because they are sooooo busy right now. But he also told them they will most likely get laid off when winter gets here because work will dramatically slow down then.

 

[RitaZ.]

I guess it surprised me because I have heard many folks complaining about business being slow, lack of jobs, the economy, etc. I figured anyone would welcome the business, I guess I was wrong... It appears that the french door business is booming!


I'm grateful that it's just a door and not something as essential as ac/heat, plumbing, etc. The door is in bad shape, but it's not that critical.

I did contact another company and the guy that I spoke with was really helpful. So, there is hope.

 

[JESW]

Just another comment...

If you are able to get someone to do the work, you might want to see if there is anything else you need done around the house. It might be a while before you could get someone else to even come out!

Jill

 

[Planogirl]

This worries me. We lost a few shingles on a very steeply pitched part of the roof during some high winds and DH is nervous about trying to patch it himself. But who in the world can do it for us with all of the contractors so busy? Blech.