First World Problem - Please Shoot Me

Ah, you have my sympathies, now and as you progress in the restoration. I too have that "pleasure" now, as I posted last week.

The one good thing about a rambling potential contractor is you have the opportunity to understand him or her  and size him/her up before making any commitment. And to comfort you and assure you that you're not alone, I'd like to share some amusing experiences with contractors.  (In these challenging times, I think a little bit of humor helps to counteract negative news.)

I've met some interesting contractors over the years as well, especially in the mid 2000s when I was trying to sell my sister's house.   One took 3 personal phone calls with his GF for a luncheon date, all while we were discussing the work scope I had prepared.   Obviously his social calendar was more important than the potential job. I figured I'd have to confiscate his cell phone if I hired him, which I didn't.   

Another handyman from the same company showed up almost an hour late just for the estimate.  Never called, so I assumed he was a no-show.   He was very personable, didn't make personal phone calls, but admitted that he didn't like to be bound by work hours established by a company.  I wasn't really sure if he would even show up if I hired him.   

Another was enthusiastic, recommended by a neighbor, for work involved ladders.   Over a period of a few weeks, he repeatedly promised but never did provide a certificate of insurance.   I suspect he didn't carry any.   One morning he called and said he could come over shortly and do all the work, apparently thinking I'd  be glad just to have the work done quickly and forget about insurance.    I didn't accept that generous offer.

Some weren't interested in what I wanted done; they wanted to reconfigure the work scope I prepared and perform HGTV type jobs.   That was the case of a handyman who also enjoyed wandering off topic, explaining that he was some kind of music facilitator.  He and friends got together and "jammed" for several hours at someone's house.

He wanted a key to the house, said that instead of replacing the concrete steps as I wanted, he preferred to rebuild the steps into a lovely wooden semi-circular entrance (a la HGTV remodels).  He estimated he'd need to be at the house for a week, and wanted a key so he could come and go if I wasn't there.   I could imagine police at the house, neighbors up and down the street having complained and called b/c of the loud music and drumming. Obviously I didn't hire him and his request for a key left me feeing very uncomfortable.   This wasn't a major house remodel.

Another was through an agency that helps to arrange contractors for older people.   All I wanted was trimming around the edge of my 1/3 acre lot, which  looks like a meadow very quickly if I can't keep up with it.  He decided it would be better to not just do that, but cut down all the volunteer trees (which I can and easily do myself), and stump grind them all.    What other contractors have done in an hour or so would be ab 8 hour job for him.   When I emphasized that was NOT was I wanted, he became belligerent.   At that point I escaped his rant and went into the house.    


So, are you going to hire this landscaper?

Brevity seems to be a lost art... Are there other landscapers in the area?

Yup, a first world problem. Sorry to read of your dad's passing. Could be a helluva lot worse.

That is tough to see go down with a parent. Sounds like he had a prosperous life and was a good father.

You must be an introvert. I would need to hide somewhere after dealing with someone like that. They drain all of my energy.

I've been known to stick the phone between a couple of couch cushions and just walk away.

I'd bet money on it.