July 08, 2004
Finding good contractors
I never really thought about the network of goods and services that I utilized in Phoenix.
Mostly, I suspect, because it was my Dad or Mom out there hiring workmen, getting air conditioners fixed, cars fixed, plumbing fixed, house cleaning fixed, errr...
But there was a definite ability to get ahold of service providers, whether they be local accountants, attorneys, bail bondsmen, Internet providers :-), whathaveyou.
My Dad's computer on the fritz? No problem, I've got geeky compatriots across the Greater Phoenix Metroplex.
See? All this stuff, instantly available.
And then I go and move to Colorado in late Summer 1997 and here I almost seven years later and I'm JUST beginning to build this network. Hell, my accountant is still in Phoenix!
Ahem. And now, a little cartoon for y'all that inspired this train of thought...
Which was also inspired by recently having painters here for a week and a half, and having an electrician come this morning to add outlets and stuff all day, and from playing tag on the phone with two concrete and cement guys to repair some concrete as preparation for laying decorative cement, and by having hired a plumber to plumb a utility sink in the laundry room that had been sitting empty for a couple years and, and, and...
Strange Brew by John Deering
I will add one short comment that I NEVER (anymore) call companies out of the phone book where I don't get to speak to the owner. Mostly, I use referrals from neighbors. Whenever I've used a company where a salesman comes out and isn't the guy/owner doing the work, well, fuggedaboutit.
I have used Service Magic to find contractors for esoteric stuff like window-tinting my low-rider house, and that's worked out pretty good with vendors following up and getting me 3 bids and the whole bit.
Posted by BilFish at July 8, 2004 07:03 AM