On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 16:23:50 GMT, "calhoun"
wrote:
:
:"Dan_Musicant" wrote in message
.. .
: I'm new to this to the tune that I've never hired a contractor. But I've
: been thinking about it and doing some homework. I watched the BBB's
: video "Hiring a Home Contractor" a couple of times and they make the
: point that you should always get references and check them out. They
: also say you should get at least 3 bids before making a decision.
: There's a lot of other things they advise, including checking the the
: BBB and licensing agencies and trade organizations for feedback about
: specific contractors.
:
: Well, I've called 3 contractors I have some reason to believe may be
: reliable, but I sure don't have any proof. They appeared in a Good
: Service Guide from a few years back and they are still in business. One
: was recommended by a friend. That contractor sent a guy by today who
: looked at my roof and took enough information to work up an estimate and
: he said I'd get a letter next week. I went to their website but couldn't
: find any references listed there. I went to the BBB's site, both
: nationally and locally and when I put in the company's name or address
: the search came up with nothing whatsoever - no company found.
:
: I'm wondering how I should go about getting references from these
: people. Should I ask for references even before an estimator comes out -
: just call and ask the office person for references right off that bat?
: Should I ask the estimator? Or should I call the office after the
: estimator comes out and ask then?
:
: Thanks for any guidance.
:
: Dan
:
:
:
:I am a contractor, been in business over 20 years. I don't give references
:and I don't ask for references from my customers. I only take jobs by
:referral. With all the telemarketing etc. the last thing I would do is give
ut a customers name to be called on, at who knows what hours, by a stranger
:who wants to come over and look at their new kitchen?
:You stated you already called a contractor that was recommended by a friend.
:That is a good reference. That is how you will find a good contractor.
Well, I hope you're right and I see your point about your customers
possibly not wanting to be bothered with your prospective customers'
impositions. Like I say, I've never hired a contractor - done everything
on my own, but I can't do my roof or my foundation, electricity (new
services), etc. so I'm going to hire some contractors. I'm actually
hoping to find a good general contractor to coordinate all these things.
I had one but I didn't have the money then. Now I do and he's not as
interested in being a GC. He'd rather do the things he specializes in -
it's easier on him. Foundations are really tough, he tells me.
Well, that BBB video stressed that I should ask for references and
that's what I'm going to do. I'll see what happens. Thanks, anyhow. I
appreciate the feedback and I'll try to honor your viewpoint. I see the
validity of it.
Dan