Multiple jobs . Even my most loyal contractors have habit of not responding on days said they'd work. They decide their working days.

Aggravating when no response.

Add some clauses to the written contract outlining days to be worked, time limits, and one that says, basically, when owner calls they agree to return call within XXX minutes or contract price is reduced by $100 per call.

If they fail to show for work on any day, contract price is reduced by $500 or whatever you decide.

It's basically a performance clause. They perform or pay a penalty.

I was a contractor for years and I never had these problems. In fact, I required my crews to agree to basically the same thing. Perform or pay a penalty.

In my opinion, it's a poor businessman who does not get the job done as fast as reasonably possible or does not keep the customer fully advised at all times.

I'm going to tell you a story that's spot on your topic.

I am a landlord and licensed contractor. I set my day's schedule based on appointments and needs of importance.

I have some clients that are also landlords. I explain to them that when I get a "911-Emergency" call, any appointments get pushed back to later in the day or the next day. I will contact the tenant of an appointment and let them know my situation.

So one day Ellen, a landlord, contacted me about going to her large apartment complex and repairing some leaking faucets in 3 apartment. These were drips and non-emergencies. I told Ellen that I will "Try" to get there the next morning or ASAP. That building had a residential live in manager.

On my way to Ellen's large complex I get an "emergency" call her Ellen's husband, Bob. At another property, a pipe busted in the wall and was leaking everywhere. I asked Bob if he first contacted his wife? He said that she isn't answering er phone. I agreed to travel to the other property first and take care of the busted pipe.

An hour later Ellen called me. She was so disappointed in my service. She had drive to the property and saw I was a No Show! I had known Ellen for 20 years and worked with her for the last 10 years. I explained to Ellen I had an emergency and had to go deal with it. She didn't care. I made an appointment and didn't keep it, I did a bad thing. I explained that many time when Ellen had a real emergency, I cancelled my appointments with other landlords to deal with her problem. She didn't see it my way.

She said, "Who was more important than me"? I said that another landlord had a pipe in the wall break, causing a flood and his wife wouldn't answer the phone to let her know that his plumber is going to that property instead of dealing with drips from a few faucets. That client is Bob, your husband. You should check you messages. Oh, I left a message with your manager, who doesn't speak English, but in Spanish so she could let you know I was running late!

Ellen realized I didn't show up at a repair job to deal with an emergency..... She like the idea I took care of the most important job first, but sill didn't like that I couldn't be in two places at once.

Is it part of the psychology for contractors to preface every post they ever make with "I am a landlord and licensed contractor" or "I am a landlord and licensed plumbing contractor".

Jesus. Every. Post.

Like we get it already. You're talking to pretty much the same group of people over and over again, we know already.

I think it's hard to have a job large enough to grab a contractors attention. And if it's large enough they have you because it costs you more if they dilly dally. So you can't win. If you have to many requirements they will totally label you difficult. I used to manage capital contacts and had performance requirements, but they were sometimes small jobs and it was hard to find a qualified contractor who s willing to do the work.

When I deal with contractors now I have to bite my tongue because they write up a proposal with no specs and as vague as possible. Roofers won't spec felt paper or hurricane nailing, etc, asphalt Co won't specify drainage pitch or minimum Temps. sidewalk guy won't specify minimum Temps, or psi of mix, may not even say broom finish. Don't get me started about contractors who don't tamp when they backfill a trench, etc.

Y'all are funny to me.

Since the COVID shutdowns began, I haven't been able to travel to see extended family much. I've had more time to read the posts on this board. I've gotten both a lot of advice and amusement from this board. You regular posters are kind of like a big, extended family. You both support each other and get snippy with each other in very familial ways. It's kind of like being in the kitchen at Thanksgiving with varying intensities of discussion on how to make turkey gravy. (Real experience.) On the ride to and from visiting family, we can lay odds on which phrase or story we would hear from Cousin Joe or Cousin Johnny again...kind of like a familiar song.

This week on Lifehacker, there was some interesting commentary on stories. The link is

lifehacker.com/im-productivity-expert-charles-duhigg-and-this-is-how-1844561632. The interviewee says "So the conclusion I’ve come to is that basically the right way to give advice is to figure out what the right answer is, and then figure out how to provide an answer in a story that will make it actually applicable for people’s lives."

I have family in the Carolinas. The older generation, in particular, grew up in an era without a lot of television watching. Some of them learned to be excellent story tellers. In our family, we have had multiple Paul Harveys ("And now you know...the rest of the story"). They could start a story, take a detour, and then circle back around to a point that seamlessly hit home. These are not common skills in today's selfie / Instagram / Tik Tok / mobile device-centric world.

I find as I get older, as I encounter situations, I will remember someone's story which seemed absolutely ridiculous the first (or tenth) time they told it. But, when I am later in an analogous sitution, I am able to recognize a nugget of wisdom that can be applied (or should not be applied).

It is also useful when others point out when certain advice should not be taken literally.

I really enjoy Robert's stories. I simply determine whether to take any particular story as good advice, a parable, or simply entertainment...And both Fred and Robert would be a fun and memorable Thanksgiving guests. Heck, most of you regular posters would be a riot at Thanksgiving. :-)

I try to write my advice so any first time visitor can understand where I’m coming from.

LOVE Robert’s stories and want to hire him!

I have hired 200+ contractors over 43 years.

I have clear written scope of work for the job and ask for

-Price

-How many days needed

-Start date.

If they say 4 days I give them 7 to allow for weather and Robert’s emergencies.

The agreement states they must start within 3 days of the start date.

We write this on my Independent Contractor Agreement with a $50 per day penalty for missed deadline.

I think they do not follow up for basic human reasons

-Guys who are good sqings a hammer are lousy at paperwork. These two very different skill sets are not combined into one person.

-procrastination. Then they are embarrassed so just never call back. easier to nto call than to work up a quote and an apology.

-Not sure how to quaote a job. I am amazed at the painters who have to "go home and work up a quote". Me? Just count the rooms and apply a rate per room. Done.

-I seem to be getting hit with more contractors who demand 50% up front. Sorry. Not gonna do it.

BRAD

Plenty,

I get so many tips from this site.

What works for one person would be a hilarious fail for another. The "honey" text could make for an interesting scene in a movie. The images are just rolling through my mind. Actor Simon Baker had a memorable shirtless scene impressing the lady who hired him to redo her landscaping.

I like the honey suggestion, but the heart icons personally would not work for me. Or maybe, I'm just not confident enough.

I'm trying hard to suppress the images of Jeffrey or Brad requesting some (heart icon) patio love. Then again, it may work well coming from them.

I think it was NE(PA) who said you have to bundle a lot of small jobs together to get their attention.

I think it was NE(PA) who said you have to bundle a lot of small jobs together to get their attention.