"Oh, We're Booked for Four Weeks on Estimate Appointments..."

[alcibiades_mystery]

So, I started yesterday trying to price contractors to install a new fence. I identified the five top-rated fence building contractors in my area, and began to make contact calls and emails. (OK, cue the people saying "Build your own dang fence, city boy!&quot

I receive a response from one contract company, as follows (approximate): "We are all booked up on estimate appointments for the next four weeks. The soonest estimate appointment we can manage for you is June 16. Would you like to make an appointment?"

Mind you, this appointment would not be for actually building the fence. Gawd only knows when that would happen. This appointments is only for having somebody come out, walk the property, assess the cost for removing the current fence, providing fencing options, and determining an estimate. June 16! (Just for some context, our house is on a standard Chicago city lot - we're not talking about a Montana ranch here!)

On the one hand, fine, I'm happy for the company. They're doing well. They can't even get out to see me for damn near a month. Busy busy busy.

On the other hand, unemployment is at 7.5%. Isn't it time to hire somebody when you can't get out to do a fence estimate inside of a month? I mean, honestly, what is considered "capacity" in this business? I'm mystified.

And they lost my business.

[baldguy]

1. Right now, any contractor doing outside work is completing projects scheduled over the winter.

If you call them now, and they can come out to see you now, then they have no work to keep them busy. Those are the people you probably don't want for the job.

[MindPilot]

2. Two words:

Angie's List

Serious, it is totally worth the forty bucks a year.

But, that particular business is likely in between that rock and hard place of not having quite enough business to support more people, but too much for the current staff. Probably anyone who has run a small business has been there.

[Frustratedlady]

3. I can't get bids on painting the exterior of my house, either.

The problem? It's a 2-story and they only want ranchers. Don't even have the decency to leave a note telling me they aren't interested.

I had some siding replaced, last summer, and although it was primed, we didn't have time to paint it. Others are saying that they are passing up 2-story homes since there are plenty of ranch style homes that are easier and don't require an extension ladder.

I've never had problems before. I thought people wanted work?!?

[Shrek]

4. One of the best moves I ever made as a homeowner

Several years ago I established a working relationship with a contractor who's reliable and does good work. I use him a couple of times a year and also refer him to friends and family from time to time.

As a result, I always get called back promptly and he sometimes throws in freebies if it's something small. It's a good relationship to have if you can find someone you trust.

[alcibiades_mystery]

5. I have a couple of guys like that

I'm getting estimates from two of them as well. The current fence is from when we bought the place, and it is really not well done, so I was leaning toward just getting a specialist on the new one rather than a general contractor.

[RKP5637]

6. I had the same happen with some landscaping I can't do

myself. One place could not return calls for 2 weeks, and that was for scheduling an estimate. Another place was out 4 weeks for just the estimate. Fortunately, someone knew a small outfit that could get out sooner.