We're going to have the entire interior of our home painted before we sell. I've contacted 4 companies/contractors. Only one showed up. The others no-showed or ghosted. Sign of the times, man.
Discussion
Atlas shrugging
My contractor had to bribe the only plumber he trusts with venison to get him to come do a quick job at my place because he is the only one who ever does it right and is totally booked out.
Dude it’s so bad. I’ve had the same experience with so many contractors and different companies.
What signs do you think these are on this scenario?
Broken money breaks incentives. Misaligned incentives yields these kinds of behaviors. Integrity goes out the door.
I'm not where you live but if it's the states then I thought there is high demand for tradesmen?
There may be. I don’t know. But this is a problem across the entire services sector in the US.
This is quite common from my point of view. Although it's shitty they didn't get back in touch with you. It often happens when tradesmen are too busy and it's not worth their time if the job they're quoting for isn't he what they could get better elsewhere. This is always a sign of strong demand and whilst there may be a lack of people to meet this demand, it's a sign the sector is healthy and plenty of money around.
Getting a fair amount of work done here in the UK recently and having exactly the same experience.
Some don't turn up, some don't send the quotes through.
Having to filter through several before I find one that's not a complete fuckwit that I trust to work on my house.
I always think back to times when I had “my guy” who could do it all, as promised, on time and within budget. I sent *everything* their way because they were reliable. I haven’t had that in the better part of a decade.
It is so common. Not just painting but all trades. Even in the service industry. Really been this way, IMO, since COVID. But since COVID, overall personal savings are depleted and record high cc debt. You would think there would be more people eager to work.
Indeed sign of the times. But so perplexing.
Exactly this. I'd think there'd be more hustle.
I got a handyman that could help. Give me a shout if you want more of nfo
This reality has brought me out of retirement back into working in residential renovations. My elders are retiring, my few peers are fully booked, and few in the generations after Gen X have been interested in acquiring trade skills.
Having a half dozen of those skill sets, and more beyond the mainstream (Permaculture, Pattern Language, & Off grid design/build/operate) allows me freedom to choose when, where, and for whom I work. It also allows me to deploy my own capital with maximum efficiency because none will do as high quality of work for me as I will for myself.
If you're in the Austin area, I not only paint, but also replace any/all appliances and fixtures, resurface anything but carpet, and do framing/finish carpentry, and plumbing electrical work that doesn't require pulling permits. I've many local references and dozens of 5 star reviews if you want to see some reputational capital first.
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I’m in Nashville. If I were in Austin, I’d hire you instantly based on this post. I appreciate your reply.
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I dig it. I’m at the same point/position as well. Retired tradesman. Lemme know if you are doing a fun project sometime 👊
Pattern language?