Is it o.k. for us to pull your carpenter to the side and ask him to do some extra remodeling work for us, for cash? Sure, if it wouldn't be on your conscience that he would be fired if caught. Greed can be a bad thing. Some hundred dollar bills dangled in the face of a worker can definitely present him with a moral dilemma. If that thought even enters your mind then, look elsewhere for your contractor. Needless to say, I have had this happen to me over the years. One memorable experience was when I received a call from a gentleman that I had built a deck for in Palatine in the Summer of 1996. A very good carpenter was working side by side with me that year. He chewed tobacco and spit what seemed like every 30 seconds. My customer underhandedly approached this slob about doing a hardwood floor in their dining room. At some point later he started the job, mangled it and left without finishing the job (of course because of my sterling reputation and quality of work that I did on the deck, this carpenter was paid a majority of the money). Low and behold I received a call from the customer several months later asking if I knew where this carpenter had gone. I had actually let him go probably because I couldn't stand getting my hands full of tobacco colored saliva when I would roll up my cords at the end of the day. Grotesque? Yes, but that's the business. Tough luck mister customer! If he would have come to me initially, I would have steered him to an excellent hardwood floor installer. (If I knew of one at the time)
We contacted your company three months ago and we never received a return phone call. That is a red flag. Maybe you're just like the rest of the contractors out there? I think not. I will be the first to admit that some phone calls get by me. It usually isn't intentional, it's just that at times I am so loaded down with calls for estimates and have kids that, a few calls are bound to not be returned. If that happened to you, I apologize and I would ask you to give me another chance. It is most likely worth your while.
We have had 8 or 9 contractors out to give us bids on a project that we would like to have completed this Fall. Only two have gotten back to us with quotes. Will you come out and give us a bid? 8 or 9 contractors? Wow, you have an awful lot of time to spend on your "big" project. I can tell you this, guys don't like to have their time wasted. Endless estimating doesn't pay the bills. For most, estimating your project was most likely not worth spending the time and effort on. With little chance of being awarded the job I'll also pass on your job. You have spoken to too many people.
Is your company affiliated with the carpenters or any other union? No, I was a member of the carpenter's union in the early 90's but they didn't do anything for me.
Can you recommend another contractor for other unrelated projects. Such as a plumber, heating and air guy etc...? Sure, although I don't have a plumber at the moment, I do know some several very good contractors of other trades.
I won't be in the office (I'll be supplying material to a job, applying for permits, estimating, digging holes, writing & sending contracts, performing a deck inspection, driving my kids to a game, singing a Sinatra tune in a nightclub, and just generally running around like a maniac. Like most people.)
