I think you should make this simpler for us if you want input....
why don't you give us a list of qualities and ask us to rank them in order of importance ??? and allow a space for other - where we can add something if we have something not included in your list ???
Doreen
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HI Doreen,
Thanks for your email. I understand what you are saying. But the idea is to find out what qualities are wanted or unwanted.
If I guess and make a list of my guesses, I am not going to find out what qualities people really want or don't want. I will only find out which of my guesses is most popular.
I think that the #1 thing I want from a contractor is to do what he/she said he/she was going to do. If you say you're going to call me on Saturday, call me on Saturday. If you say you're going to get me a quote by Wednesday, get me the quote by Wednesday. I don't mind if you're busy or fall behind, but let me know that. Don't just not call in hopes that you're avoiding dealing with me. I'll be much angrier when you finally do decide to call.
Set appropriate expectations. If you know the job is going to take 6 weeks, don't say 3 weeks in order to get the job. I'm going to start getting antsy when I look around at 2.5 weeks and realize that either a) you're in way over your head, b) you don't know what you're doing and/or c) you're a liar in which case I might start questioning other things you do.
Do give me your honest opinion. If I ask if what your experience is with such and such a countertop, tell me. Again, don't tell me what you think I want to hear. Answer the question I asked.
Do keep me posted on progress. This is especially key on those days/weeks where you're doing things like electrical work and so it doesn't "look" like much has happened.
As for what I wouldn't like - the opposite of all the things I posted above.
Of course, cleaning up your workspace, being detail oriented, being respectful of my house and family - those are all givens (or should be).
Know your stuff.
Don't be afraid to admit you don't know something.
Remember, it's my kitchen, not yours. I may consider your opinion, but may tell you to do what I want anyway. If I do this, tell me honestly what the downside of my choice is.
Be prepared to let me watch you work.
That's all I can think of. Being my own contractor most of the time, it's hard for me to do this.
Hear, hear on calling when you say you will. I haven't seen my handyman since April 27. He was supposed to come by on July 5, and I stayed home from work. He called that afternoon to tell me that he was behind because he had broken his leg the week before. I can't fault him for falling behind, but he definitely should have called before then. He said then that he'd come on July 12, but I haven't heard from him since. When I do get in touch with him, I'm sure that he'll be so friendly that I'll feel bad for being angry, but I assure you this has made me regret my decision to hire someone to do something that I could easily have done myself. The only thing that would have been too tricky still hasn't been done, so I'm not even sure if he can do it.
Don't hire anyone who leers at homeowners (or tells them that he "likes their shape").
Don't hire anyone whose only phone number is a bar where he hangs out. Relatedly, if you make this mistake, don't further the mistake by telling the homeowner that you can't do the work that day because the aforementioned employee wasn't at the bar this morning.
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