Contractor question

[Utilitrack]

With the recent ice storm in Central Maine, I have some river birches and white birches that are laying on my house that need to be professionally removed. I have called several local tree services, without even a call back, now I understand that they are busy, but shouldn't common courtesy dictate that they at least return the phone call and advise that they will get back to me when they have some time?

I would prefer to deal with a local service, but I may call one of the larger regional services if I do not get a call back. Not calling back a potential customer in busy times seems like a very short sighted course of action. I have in the past just never called back that contractor/tradesman, and certainly passed along my experience with them. Should I call again or move on to an Asplundh or Lucas?

 

[gzecc]

Try Home Advisor. com I assume they are in your area and they only will refer licensed and insured contractors (if your state requires that). I am a contractor that uses the service in NJ.

 

[peakbagger]

These contractors are mostly small independents who need to pay the bills year round. They have a pretty hihg investment to cover and therefore when there is demand for their services I expect they are on the road 7 days a week 24 hours per day. I also expect many just go on a flat rate contract for the duration of an event as they dont need to deal with biddingm negotiating and collecting bills from homeowners.

I expect when you call the regional services, they to are under contract for the duration of the clean up. They may have a secretary and salesman to answer the phone, but I expect all they really will do is convince you to wait a week or two.

Thus the two guys in pickup truck with a chainsaw, a rope, no insurance and cash only can make the bucks they do drving around and picking up work and hoping they dont hurt themselves or do damage.

 

[firefighterjake]

Just a suggestion . . . contact your local Fire Department and see if they have anyone or know anyone that does tree work on the side (that has insurance and isn't just Joe Blow with a chainsaw.) Just about every FD I know either has one of these guys in the department or they know someone who does this on the side . . . they just may not advertise the fact or drive around in a big orange truck with a large industrial chipper on back.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

They should call back either way. As a contractor, there are a couple of times a year that I'm just too busy to take on new jobs; I still answer and return calls.
More often than not, people thank me for my honesty and either ask if I know anyone who can do their job on their schedule or offer to wait until I can get to it.
My friends in the business that think they're on top of the world for a month or so when they get a big job and blow off everyone else are the ones asking me for work all the time. Some people will never get how important communication is.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

Oh. To answer the question. Generally two calls over three days and move on. I've legitimately lost numbers before. Listen to a message, write info on shim shingle, use shingle, seal it into a wall, realize it later when I sit down to return calls. Rats!

If they're not returning calls they're never going to show up on schedule or finish on time. Move on.

 

[Utilitrack]

Oh. To answer the question. Generally two calls over three days and move on. I've legitimately lost numbers before. Listen to a message, write info on shim shingle, use shingle, seal it into a wall, realize it later when I sit down to return calls. Rats!

If they're not returning calls they're never going to show up on schedule or finish on time. Move on.

Thanks for the honest feedback from your perspective, I want to use the little guy but all too often they just blow you off when work is plentiful, as you indicated they should return the calls regardless.

 

[D8Chumley]

Last year my mom had a tree fall and lean on the side of the house. Beyond my comfort zone, she called a tree guy who came and took it down. He only charged her half since I was coming to take the wood and do the clean-up. Maybe this will help once someone calls you back?