I ask with a tongue in cheek, but figured it might make for some interesting comments…
Lately, I’ve had a hard time finding rliable and consistent plumbers. Maybe it’s because I”m not a big tract home builder…I just keep busy on smaller projects. My recent experience has been disappointing.
For a double bath re-do, I made 7 calls, 3 were returned, and I got three quotes for identical spec. 1,200, 6,500, and 10,500. Subsequent calls to recommended plumbers yeilded no return calls. Guess which the homeowner chose? After ten leaks,(half of which I just fixed myself) about 5 call backs, and a dozen missed appointments, we were done.
For the new projects, (complete gut renovations of a lower bath, a master suite, a hall bath, a kitchen, and a new laundry room) I made over ten calls requesting quotes on these projects. (I even called the first guy out of desperation!) I got 4 return calls. None have expressed reservations regaring the scope of the projects or any of the parameters. Three guys came out and promised quotes. Two deliverd quotes. (Calls to the third, a client recommendation, got no return), I selected one, called him to start the project numerous times, and never got a call back. So by process of elimination, I have a plumber……….
After all the time spent calling, and meeting and calling back, meetings with the client to go over ‘progress’, I could have done half the work myself! (Kidding, kind of…)
I figured maybe it was me…although I’m not screamer hard driving bossman……so I had my client do some calling and made sure she was present during all meetings, as she is quite attractive. Results were the same.
The work is in Westport, CT, part of a wealthy county just outside NYC in CT. Business is rolling along very well here. Knock downs on decent acres are in the 650 – 800K range, and many houses being built are significant projects.
So,,,,I guesss I should have been a plumber! IT seems like they are being selective when it comes to projects, and take whatever they want most. Still a return call seems in order….
So, is it like this everywhere?
(I am sure I will find a guy, and forge a relationship with him over time, but I am amazed at the difficulty in getting return calls)
Is it like this everywhere?
Replies
Oh...here are some pics of the completed projects to give you an isdea of what's what...everyone loves pics, right?
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
you know what they say........my doctor wanted to make more money so he became a plumber
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you're in business ....
do U "network" ... that's fancy talk for ... do you know other contractors?
someone has to have a good plumber.
have you asked your other subs?
subs work around other trades all day long ...
someone has got to know of a good plumber.
Have you called local plumbing supply companies?
have ya ever sold cars! I use the plumber who I sold a new van to about 10 years ago .. that's how we met .... sold the van ... 6 months later had a pipe burst while house sitting for my folks ... he came and did a good job ... then I got back into remodeling .... and here we are.
My HVAC guy started as a plumber and got into HVAC while working for a plumbing company ... they did all the plumbing/HVAC work for a company I worked for ... I now use that guy for all my HVAC work and as a fill in plumber .... he's not licensed in one county here ... he's ok to work in others .. I still feed the regular guy most of the plumbing in both counties ...
I also have a friend from college who took over and expended his Dad's plumbing company ... so I can get them from time to time ... though I'm usually out of their area ... and .. last but not least ... the guy who rebuilt my Tranny has a brother who owns a big plumbing repair company .... so if need be ... I call them and name drop.
Gotta network ....
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I hear ya! Half the guys I called were "networked" in some fashion. One was my mothers plumber, one was a friend of my clients, ond so on. The guy who is starting Monday is my tile guys referal.... (and I met my tile guy working out in the pool!).I do wish the cost was lower...$3K not including the fixtures, to do a simple half bath refit...the toilet moves 18" and the sink 18" over open basement and attic... sigh...but at least he agreed to show up! ;)Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Your the best man!!!!!
I saw the size of his pics and said "F" that....I`ll scroll down and find rezs post! LOL!
You rock brotha!J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Well at those prices I would do the work in my area in a minute. Much better rate where you are but I assume the cost of living is such. Anyway the thing I thought when I read the post is that if I thought you were bidding the job to everyone and I was busy I wouldn't bother either.
I mean you can say you weren't shooting for the lowest price and all. And that you were just trying to be competative etc. etc. Results still the same if I am busy I'm not going to mess with it. So you usually just get the guys that are slow at the moment calling you back. As Jeff alluded to. Build the relationship and stick with the guy. DanT
I kinda wonder if you shouldn't just find a good guy and go time and materials and take the bid risk yourself (or let the HO take it if willing). I would imagine that a lot of small operators don't like working to an estimate and would rather work time and materials, especially on a small project.
Dan T- I should point ou that I didn't call them all at once! I actually called the guy who did the work in the baths I showed pics of first, but he never returned the calls. He was paid in cash payments through the job, and when he finished he was handed the final payment, so I can't imagine $ was the issue with him, as he named his price, and got it fair and square. From there, I called for estimates basically one at a time.I am working time and matl's, and just hand the bill to the HO. They of course have final say as to who does the work, but my advice is taken most of the time.DanH- I thought that the small size of the projects might be an issue, so I was sure to leave the message that the job included all the parts of the job. I did need them broken down for the clients budget concerns, but the job is by no means small.I think the fact that it wsa a renovation might have scared off a few, but in the middle of winter who wants to pull pipes in 2F and snow!?I guess they're all just busy,,,,hopefully my tile guy's buddy will do a great job, and we can become fast friends....Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Aint just you man..same situation a bit south of ya....Westchester CTy. NY.
I find myself using one of three plumbers on various projects. I don`t want to lump all plumbers into the same boat.....but my experience is, when they`ve got something better to do, screw you. Not even a returned phone call.
I`ve gotten to the point that I just go with it. I`ll give my number one guy first dibs.....he doesn`t call back within twenty four, its on to number two.
I have, of late, pushed the HO toward bringin` in his/her own guy. I`m begining to like it...less time chasing after subs, and lower insurance rates.
I much prefer the title carpenter to GC anyhow!
EDIT: Nice work BTW.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Edited 1/23/2005 10:23 pm ET by JAYBIRD