Why can't I gat a contractor to work on my house?

[debodun]

What is the name of your state? New York


My 110-year -old Victorian house is in need of major repairs. When I phone contractors, I usually get an answering machine, but they don't return my calls.

One that actually came last week phoned me a few days later and said he really wasn't comfortable opening a can of worms! Are they so lacking in skill that a 110 year old house would scare them so much?

 

[You Are Guilty]

What is the name of your state? New York


My 110-year -old Victorian house is in need of major repairs. When I phone contractors, I usually get an answering machine, but they don't return my calls.

One that actually came last week phoned me a few days later and said he really wasn't comfortable opening a can of worms! Are they so lacking in skill that a 110 year old house would scare them so much?

You do know this is a legal advice site, right?

 

[John Se]

can of worms....pandoras box

What is the name of your state? New York


My 110-year -old Victorian house is in need of major repairs. When I phone contractors, I usually get an answering machine, but they don't return my calls.

One that actually came last week phoned me a few days later and said he really wasn't comfortable opening a can of worms! Are they so lacking in skill that a 110 year old house would scare them so much?

What are you looking to get done, if you want a fixed price quote, you need to define work within fixed constraints. If you are asking a contractor to bet how bad a house is underneath the skin would you do that?. Everytime you ask a contractor to name a price they are placing a bet, now whos money should they be betting with? theirs or yours? Its not the skills its the bottomless pit of problems. Just hire the proper contractors on a time and materials basis.

 

[moburkes]

A 100 year old year old house being renovated would open a HUGE can of worms. That contractor won't know how often things have been patched up by nonprofessionals. They don't want YOU to hold them responsible for what they find wrong in your house. You are more than welcome to take classes at Home Depot to learn how to do some of the stuff yourself. Then you'll find out why they said no.

 

[BL]

What ever you do check out any prospective contractor(s) carefully , as not to get ripped off .

Check with the BBB , the county clerks for any lawsuits they may have been sued for .
Ask for a list of consumers from them , then call or ask to stop by and see the work , etc .

Have you ever had a Build. inspector called in to inspect the place ? It might be worth you while , look them up in the phone book , and ask some Realtors .

FYI

"We need licensing. We need the contractors to be regulated. We need a recovery fund for the consumers that are defrauded," Rozier says.

New York is one of only 18 states that does not require contractors to be licensed or registered. Right now there are three bills pending in the state Senate and Assembly, but none appears on the fast track to being passed.

Those who oppose the idea feel it would kill jobs and drive up consumer costs.

 

[copperman]

When you call a contractor , are your first words do you give FREE estimates, If they are you will never get a call back. This is a red flag that you are just price shopping. The cost to do theses estimates are very high and if I detect by the massage a person leaves that this is what they are doing I just delete the massage.

 

[nextwife]

Perhaps contact NARI and get some names of NARI contractors. You can cross check these against BBB members and reports.

 

[MadCowJudge]

Do you have a reputation that precedes you