Fired Road contractor. Build it myself?

[murphy1244]

Too. Bloody. Bad. Boo 'effin hoo, and I don't use that kind of language normally.

There is no excuse short of a genuine emergency for not calling when things go sideways. A contractor that doesn't call should be fired, first time, every time, unless there really was an emergency.

And poor planning is NOT an emergency.

this!

 

[sixdogs]

I'm involved in the dirt moving business and lots of things can cause delays. Everyone knows that. What is not OK is the lack of common courtesy to tell someone what is going on with their project or that they won't be there on time or even that day or week. I once had a guy show up two months late to drill some holes with a big auger. Two months and no calls. He said he didn't bother because the weather was bad and knew we couldn't build anyway. He was surprised that we replaced him. Huh?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I still think, the problem is more that if you call people to cancel, they WANT a time and date, and often you simply can't offer that. Or worse, you give them a date which is just a wild guess or fantasy, and stand them up again. I think, some contractors just can't deal with the confrontation.

I have on occasion had to cancel and re-book appointments numerous times and it's not a good feeling.

 

[murphy1244]

I still think, the problem is more that if you call people to cancel, they WANT a time and date, and often you simply can't offer that. Or worse, you give them a date which is just a wild guess or fantasy, and stand them up again. I think, some just can't stand the confrontation.

If you can't estimate your time how can you estimate price?

 

[Steppenwolfe]

If you can't estimate your time how can you estimate price?

:thumbsup:

 

[Industrial Toys]

Who said they can? My contractor figured on one job for me at about five grand. Came in at four times that! I wasn't happy, but for the work I got, I still got a better deal then going with someone else.

Around here, it's so hard to get contractors to do work, so generally, when you have them on site, you get them to do all manner of things, never discussed. This of course plays **** with the next people on the list.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Who said they can? My contractor figured on one job for me at about five grand. Came in at four times that! I wasn't happy, but for the work I got, I still got a better deal then going with someone else.

Around here, it's so hard to get contractors to do work, so generally, when you have them on site, you get them to do all manner of things, never discussed. This of course plays **** with the next people on the list.

Perhaps the contractor should use a telephone. And call the next people on the list. They might not understand....and then again, they might. Not showing up and not calling ? Am I supposed to read minds? Put all my plans on hold until he shows up. If he shows up? A week worth of work that is going to cost me 10 grand deserves communication. If not, then I am not important enough to them. That doesn't sit well with me. And better to end it now, than wait around. The idea that I would jump on the idea of hiring him back at a cut rate makes no sense to me. I was paying a premium and he didn't perform. Am I to expect that paying him less will make him perform better?

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I'm involved in the dirt moving business and lots of things can cause delays. Everyone knows that.

Yep. Things happen.

What is not OK is the lack of common courtesy to tell someone what is going on with their project or that they won't be there on time or even that day or week.

Exactly.

I have on occasion had to cancel and re-book appointments numerous times and it's not a good feeling.

Boo hoo.

There's this thing called, "responsibility". I encourage you to explore the concept.

Feelings - Morris Albert - YouTube

 

[teg]

...I've been looking around and a 10 foot hydraulic blade will run me about 4500 used ....

**JOHN DEERE 10 FT ANGLE BLADE W/ HYDRAULICS** $2000

View attachment 490014

Straight down I-95 (not mine, just seen it on Craig's List for a while)

Or this: 2002 Volvo G72B Motor Grader
much closer to you Only $46.5K
View attachment 490016

 

[WoodChuckDad]

**JOHN DEERE 10 FT ANGLE BLADE W/ HYDRAULICS** $2000 <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=490014"/> Straight down I-95 (not mine, just seen it on Craig's List for a while) Or this: 2002 Volvo G72B Motor Grader much closer to you Only $46.5K <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=490016"/>

Thanks for the info. I'll have to look that model up. It looks like it adjusts in two ways. The road grader would be fun but not cost efficient.