TOO LITTLE TOO LATE (Chapter 1)

Strange phenomenon over the past 3 years. We have been trying to get our roof redone, and if we like you how about siding too? Not jobs that I would think desperately seeking contractors would turn their noses up. And a cash deal. Hmmm. What could go wrong?

Contractor #1 - Comes over, does the walk-around,takes measurements and NEVER CALLS BACK!

Contractor #2 - Several months, or a year later we get a call from someone who used to work for contractor #1 and he asks "hey did you ever hear back from contractor #1?" Now how did he know that? Hmmm. He is now working for Contractor #2 so he asks if he can bid-sure, we innocently agree. Comes over, does the walk-around, takes measurements and NEVER CALLS BACK FOR 8 MONTHS! When we say no thanks, he is confused! 8 months for a call-back and I'm going to use you for potentially sensitive and crucial changes to my house? Right. He is offended. I swear you can't make this stuff up!

Things mosey merrily along but, we really need this done! We do get flyers in the door from "drive-by" contractors offering your roof done, no questions asked-we restrain ourselves from biting.

Contractor #3-see him working on my street-roofing no less. I stop and ask if we can get a quote, or a visit, or a howdy do. Sure, sure. 2 weeks later he stops by and says did we get a call from anyone? Uh, no. We got the routine down by now. He says he will talk to his partner who does the quoting. 2 weeks later finally get a call-set up appt for the visit, walk-around, measurements. Bets are made by various interested parties. Another 2 weeks and several calls and I call...

Contractor #4! He visits immediately, walks around takes measurements and....

Contractor #3 finally calls back and wants to meet 2 hours later. Really. I'm at work, Burt man is out of town. I say can you come Friday night-No, Saturday-No. Ok does he want the job or not.

Contractor #4 visits "on our schedule" and lays out the plan, quote and credentials. Success, maybe-I've been burned before. Dare I hope? Gave Contractor #3 a chance to get back with us then finally pull the trigger and make deal with #4. I leave a message for #3, as he never answers his phone, and tell him we're going with a different contractor. Calls back in 60 seconds (we timed it) and he is all upset-I let it go to voice mail (good will on my part now over-you know my patience limit). He is all up about "I thought you would call me when you were available". Huh? Us keep begging him to meet with him, again rightttttt.

Sign deal with Contractor #4 and sign goes in front yard. Fingers crossed!

Oh yeah Contractor #4 gave us the number of one of his subs to tuck point (pick mortar out) and fix our chimney before the roof is done. Yep, you guessed it, they won't call us back!!!!! WTF?

Hope springs eternal, we are sitting here waiting for an 11:30 call or visit from the concrete guy working down the street as we also need work done on our porch. Anyone want any of the action about whether he shows up?