How to Get Work Done When Contractors Are Busy: Part 3

Over the last couple of weeks, we started with understanding that we are not the contractors only client and learning how to have patience and communicate effectively with the contractor. Here are the next tips.

Third, get your details together and your ducks in a row. Don’t call your electrician and hem and haw about what you think you want to have done. Don’t have them over to your house if you aren’t really serious about doing any work. It’s ok if you want to get their professional opinion or need their advice. Thoughtfully consider what you want to have done, do some online research, have a clear picture of the materials you want to use, the things you are willing to compromise on and what is a non-negotiable. The longer you draw out the process, the more wishy washy you are on decisions, the more frustrated you make the contractor and the more difficult you make it for them to get you information back in a timely fashion. I am not saying to settle for something you don’t want or accept something subpar just to move the project along.

Fourth, consider the weather. Many times contractors have projects outside and sometimes many rainy days may push their schedule behind or they may be working furiously to complete a project ahead of incoming bad weather. Many times they can’t control their schedule because they can’t control how the weather may affect the timeline of the project. Know that bad weather could push your project out on their schedule.

And lastly, if a contractor is not busy or doesn’t have a backlog, let that be a red flag to you. There may be a reason why that person is not busy when so many good contractors are very busy. The only exception this this line of reasoning would be if a contractor had a project suddenly postponed or delayed and had a block of time open up that they could work your project in to.

I hope these tips are helpful to you and you have great success getting your project started and completed. Do you have any other helpful tips? I’d love to hear. Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

How to Get Work Done When Contractors are Busy: Part 2

Last time we started the discussion on how to effectively get work done when contractors are so busy. We first discussed recognizing that you are not the contractor’s only client.

Second, patience is the name of the game. Don’t yell, don’t leave 6 voicemails in one day, don’t call in special favors because you may be personal friends. I’m not saying to excuse a lack a communication or promptness, but give them at least 24 to 48 hours to respond you. They may be out on appointments all day or in an area with no cell reception. Cut them a little slack in getting back to you. But if you haven’t heard from someone in a week, maybe you need to reconsider working with them. Don’t expect them to make an appointment with you after hours or on the weekend. The contractor is probably working a 50-60 hour week as it is, please be mindful of their boundaries. You wouldn’t want to work after hours or on the weekend, would you? Are you just asking for a quote or are you giving the go ahead to begin your project? Know that their in process projects require more urgent attention than your project that may not be starting for several months.

Do you have any tips for connecting with a contractor? Or getting a project completed in a timely fashion? I’d love to hear. Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com Next time we will continue with our tips for getting work done.