HandyCanadian is an excellent tool to both contractors as well as homeowners but we have encountered it's one downside several times. When you the cusomter is meeting with contractors, you must take care not to book everone at the same time. Like you, we are extremely busy and our time is quite valuable. There is nothing worse than taking the time to go to an appointment and upon arrival finding 5 other contractors waiting to see the same project. While I understand and encourage getting a few quotes, these appointments must be made at different times. Both the customer and contractor can not be thorough knowing there is a line up outside. One of the other contractors left as soon as he saw what was going on there, and I opted not to quote this project. As an incentive we offer estimates free of charge - this service should not be abused. Please be respectful of our time and book your appointments accordingly.
Thankyou.
Contractors: please show up when you say you will for the time and date agreed to. we are also very busy and plan our lives around things like contractors. i have had many contractors simply not show up or show up very late an expect me to drop everything for them.
Hi Brett,
I am unsure which contractors you are referring to, I can assure you not us. We appreciate our customers and always ensure we are on time for our appointments. Things certainly can come up in which case a phone call is always placed prior to make sure a little late is okay or to arrange an alternate appointment. All of our appointments are made at a mutually convenient time for both our cusomters and ourselves. My posting was not intended to offend anyone but simply to inform customers that we as responsible contractors who all showed up on time as scheduled did not appreciate being lumped in together as a group. It is uncomfortable for all parties including the customer who agreed the situation was awkward. If I were you as the customer, I would not put up with a company who makes you feel as if they were doing you a favour by just showing up. You as a customer are the priority and should be made to feel like nothing less.
I have been in the very situation you describe Shawn (as a contractor). It is a good tip that you submitted in my opinion. No real details can be properly discussed or arrangements made in that manner.
Read your "tip" Shawn, well done, I am in agreement - but good grief, you'd think a client would use some common sense when booking appointments with a contractor - namely keeping it at one-at-a-time.
As someone looking for a renovator, I'd like to think a mutual respect would be expected from both parties.
On the flip side though, my husband has come home from work in order for us to meet with a contractor, only to find ourselves attempting to track him down when he did not arrive. Turns out he was in his office, and had completely forgot about us. Wanted to re-schedule after a half-hearted apology and a chuckle.
Have had another company come out, and ask us for a tape measure and pencil.Wondered if we were being filmed for an episode of "PUNK'D".
That said, we have had two superb companies live up to their reputation, and are looking for two more so as to make a fair and informed decision.
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