What workarounds did people try for "How to find reliable contractors who actually show up"?

Community members documented 117 workarounds: 1. Doing household work oneself 2. Finding alternative contractors after being ghosted 3. Waiting around all day for scheduled appointments 4. Getting 3 to 5 quotes on every project 5. Doing extensive independent research and watching contractors closely while they work 6. Asking material supply shops for recommendations 7. Checking county circuit court records to see if a company has been sued 8. calling alternative local service providers until someone answers 9. driving to the contractor's physical location 10. repeatedly calling and hassling contractors to get answers or quotes 11. hiring independent or small business contractors through personal recommendations 12. always asking for a paper trail, written contracts, and bills of sale 13. refusing to pay cash and demanding legitimate permits 14. screening contractors to ensure they haven't been bought out by private equity firms 15. Refusing to accept the contract without clarification 16. Asking contractors to separate product warranty from workmanship warranty 17. Requesting written explanations of what is covered if a leak develops 18. Asking how contractors protect the roof during open-ridge weather events 19. Getting multiple quotes 20. Rejecting door-to-door offers claiming leftover asphalt 21. Doing homework to find independent or specific technicians willing to install customer-sourced equipment 22. Getting multiple quotes to find someone at the right price 23. Buying the equipment and installation directly as a complete package from a contractor 24. Searching local forums or social media for contractor recommendations 25. Using an honest and fairly priced handyman who lacks specific heating system experience 26. Trying to learn technical terms and repair strategies independently to spot inflated pricing 27. Looking for contractors with established websites instead of relying on Facebook or Craigslist ads. 28. searching for personal recommendations from others 29. Getting multiple quotes from established companies before agreeing to work 30. Refusing to hire random door-to-door solicitors 31. Doing the maintenance work DIY instead 32. Calling local independent carpenters instead of specialized foundation repair companies 33. Getting multiple quotes to compare prices 34. Snipping the cables or trying to figure out if they are active 35. guessing whether to contact a structural engineer, general contractor, or carpenter 36. asking online communities for guidance to avoid wasting money 37. Troubleshooting and fixing the issue independently using YouTube tutorials and a multimeter 38. Contacting multiple other companies or casting a wider net 39. Waiting until peak cooling season passes or addressing emergency situations first 40. getting multiple quotes from different contractors 41. Working with a retired HVAC person for initial installation and charging 42. Paying out of pocket for independent diagnostics while losing warranty coverage 43. Taking estimates and questions to local groups 44. Comparing manufacturer vs workmanship warranties and underlying materials 45. Doing online research 46. Asking family members such as dads and fathers-in-law 47. Leaving things as they are and hoping the roof weathers upcoming storms 48. Continuing to search for a smaller contractor who offers repairs as a service 49. Shelling out money for a complete new roof installation 50. DIY the installation 51. Using temporary patches like roof tar 52. Getting estimates from different roofing companies 53. Calling local landscape supply yards to see if they have pre-cut slabs ready to go 54. Contacting a stone mason 55. Asking experienced homeowners for insight 56. Reading contractor reviews 57. Comparing multiple quotes to understand average down payments and terms 58. Agreeing to let the contractor fix one small item on the list first to allow them to inspect the wiring and provide a quote for the rest of the work 59. Getting multiple quotes from other companies 60. Searching for specialized sheet metal shops or union contractors 61. Accepting flex duct or a hybrid system with metal trunks and flex branches 62. Fixing things themselves when possible 63. Relying exclusively on word-of-mouth referrals from friends, neighbors, or local supply contacts 64. Using franchise companies that guarantee attendance 65. trying to fix the roof installation yourself as a DIY project 66. using spray foam and sealant to bridge gaps instead of getting professional repairs 67. Attempting a DIY repair using a rust inhibitor, concrete epoxy, and structural repair patch. 68. Keeping slower workers on for smaller, non-urgent issues or scheduled unit turns 69. Hiring external handyman businesses at a higher cost for part-time volume 70. Scheduling major renovations and projects out in advance 71. Doing small self-leveling pours independently 72. Emptying the house out to have work done all at once instead of room by room 73. Getting recommendations through word-of-mouth from friends and neighbors 74. Checking local Facebook pages and neighborhood recommendations 75. Looking for contractor signs in neighborhood yards and asking homeowners about their experience 76. Learning how to do the repairs yourself using online resources 77. Asking neighbors, builders, or general contractors for recommendations 78. Looking for companies with modest vehicle signs rather than expensive custom wraps 79. Checking 1-star reviews instead of relying purely on high overall ratings 80. Calling a local plumber 81. Filing a claim with a home warranty company 82. Contacting the original retailer or installer 83. inspecting the attic independently 84. asking for advice online 85. Calling down the list of companies on Google until finding one that does repairs 86. Searching for older local tradesmen or companies that do not market themselves as insurance specialists 87. Asking friends and acquaintances for personal references and recommendations 88. Contacting multiple companies to compare quotes despite sub-contracting practices 89. Getting multiple quotes from local independent window contractors 90. Searching local city subreddits, Nextdoor, and asking neighbors for recommendations 91. Comparing U-Factor and SHGC ratings to evaluate quality rather than relying on brand names 92. Looking to hire local technicians while specifically trying to avoid sales-driven companies offering cheap diagnostic specials. 93. guessing and calling a handyman 94. Ignoring minor oil canning and aesthetic flaws 95. Debating potential causes like wood expansion, contraction, or improper fastener placement 96. Getting at least three different quotes to compare. 97. Withholding payment until the job is completely finished for smaller projects. 98. Ignoring the low bid and continuing to look for an established professional. 99. Getting multiple quotes and comparing the exact work and materials specified. 100. Asking friends, neighbors, and trusted people for recommendations. 101. Avoiding companies with heavy TV advertising or obvious high overhead. 102. Confirming upfront that the contractor will pull all necessary permits. 103. Filing a complaint at the store's pro desk to force a remedy or withholding further payment until corrected. 104. Hiring an independent home inspector to write a report documenting the poor craftsmanship to use as leverage. 105. Canceling the service, demanding a discount, buying the tools, and completing the installation as a DIY project. 106. Hiring independent, specialized finish carpenters or professionals directly for a fraction of the cost. 107. Doing extensive personal research to determine the correct materials and fastening methods. 108. Trying to hire a more specialized professional just for the structural prep portion of the project. 109. Leaving a 1-star Google review to force corporate-owned businesses to fix their mistakes. 110. Having a knowledgeable family member sit in on consultations to prevent being ripped off. 111. Hiring independent, cash-only immigrant crews instead of established corporate brands. 112. Spending significant time researching and vetting small, independent businesses to avoid private equity-owned brands. 113. Sorting Google reviews by lowest rating to look for patterns of specific issues 114. Asking for recommendations in local Facebook groups rather than Nextdoor 115. Getting referrals from trusted professionals like structural engineers who see the aftermath of bad work 116. Sending a detailed email requesting license numbers, insurance certificates, lien waivers, and detailed material outlines. 117. Requesting payment structures based on completed phases rather than large upfront deposits.

How to find reliable contractors who actually show up

Contractors frequently fail to appear on scheduled dates, communicate delays, or return to finish half-completed projects after receiving deposits. This unreliability leaves homeowners stranded with unfinished work and unable to secure dependable help for future repairs.

Overview

Last updated Nov 1, 2026

People affected79 accounts across 10 forums

Workarounds found117 items attempted

Community agreement6,239 total upvotes

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

People have been saying this in most months since March 2026.
This comes up 12.8× more often in r/homeowners than across the site as a whole.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

117 items+ Contribute

Found another way around this?

Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.

1
Doing household work oneself
Did this help you?
2
Finding alternative contractors after being ghosted
Did this help you?
3
Waiting around all day for scheduled appointments
Did this help you?
4
Getting 3 to 5 quotes on every project
Did this help you?
5
Doing extensive independent research and watching contractors closely while they work
Did this help you?
6
Asking material supply shops for recommendations
Did this help you?
7
Checking county circuit court records to see if a company has been sued
Did this help you?
8
calling alternative local service providers until someone answers
Did this help you?
9
driving to the contractor's physical location
Did this help you?
10
repeatedly calling and hassling contractors to get answers or quotes
Did this help you?
11
hiring independent or small business contractors through personal recommendations
Did this help you?
12
always asking for a paper trail, written contracts, and bills of sale
Did this help you?
13
refusing to pay cash and demanding legitimate permits
Did this help you?
14
screening contractors to ensure they haven't been bought out by private equity firms
Did this help you?
15
Refusing to accept the contract without clarification
Did this help you?
16
Asking contractors to separate product warranty from workmanship warranty
Did this help you?
17
Requesting written explanations of what is covered if a leak develops
Did this help you?
18
Asking how contractors protect the roof during open-ridge weather events
Did this help you?
19
Getting multiple quotes
Did this help you?
20
Rejecting door-to-door offers claiming leftover asphalt
Did this help you?
21
Doing homework to find independent or specific technicians willing to install customer-sourced equipment
Did this help you?
22
Getting multiple quotes to find someone at the right price
Did this help you?
23
Buying the equipment and installation directly as a complete package from a contractor
Did this help you?
24
Searching local forums or social media for contractor recommendations
Did this help you?
25
Using an honest and fairly priced handyman who lacks specific heating system experience
Did this help you?
26
Trying to learn technical terms and repair strategies independently to spot inflated pricing
Did this help you?
27
Looking for contractors with established websites instead of relying on Facebook or Craigslist ads.
Did this help you?
28
searching for personal recommendations from others
Did this help you?
29
Getting multiple quotes from established companies before agreeing to work
Did this help you?
30
Refusing to hire random door-to-door solicitors
Did this help you?
31
Doing the maintenance work DIY instead
Did this help you?
32
Calling local independent carpenters instead of specialized foundation repair companies
Did this help you?
33
Getting multiple quotes to compare prices
Did this help you?
34
Snipping the cables or trying to figure out if they are active
Did this help you?
35
guessing whether to contact a structural engineer, general contractor, or carpenter
Did this help you?
36
asking online communities for guidance to avoid wasting money
Did this help you?
37
Troubleshooting and fixing the issue independently using YouTube tutorials and a multimeter
Did this help you?
38
Contacting multiple other companies or casting a wider net
Did this help you?
39
Waiting until peak cooling season passes or addressing emergency situations first
Did this help you?
40
getting multiple quotes from different contractors
Did this help you?
41
Working with a retired HVAC person for initial installation and charging
Did this help you?
42
Paying out of pocket for independent diagnostics while losing warranty coverage
Did this help you?
43
Taking estimates and questions to local groups
Did this help you?
44
Comparing manufacturer vs workmanship warranties and underlying materials
Did this help you?
45
Doing online research
Did this help you?
46
Asking family members such as dads and fathers-in-law
Did this help you?
47
Leaving things as they are and hoping the roof weathers upcoming storms
Did this help you?
48
Continuing to search for a smaller contractor who offers repairs as a service
Did this help you?
49
Shelling out money for a complete new roof installation
Did this help you?
50
DIY the installation
Did this help you?
51
Using temporary patches like roof tar
Did this help you?
52
Getting estimates from different roofing companies
Did this help you?
53
Calling local landscape supply yards to see if they have pre-cut slabs ready to go
Did this help you?
54
Contacting a stone mason
Did this help you?
55
Asking experienced homeowners for insight
Did this help you?
56
Reading contractor reviews
Did this help you?
57
Comparing multiple quotes to understand average down payments and terms
Did this help you?
58
Agreeing to let the contractor fix one small item on the list first to allow them to inspect the wiring and provide a quote for the rest of the work
Did this help you?
59
Getting multiple quotes from other companies
Did this help you?
60
Searching for specialized sheet metal shops or union contractors
Did this help you?
61
Accepting flex duct or a hybrid system with metal trunks and flex branches
Did this help you?
62
Fixing things themselves when possible
Did this help you?
63
Relying exclusively on word-of-mouth referrals from friends, neighbors, or local supply contacts
Did this help you?
64
Using franchise companies that guarantee attendance
Did this help you?
65
trying to fix the roof installation yourself as a DIY project
Did this help you?
66
using spray foam and sealant to bridge gaps instead of getting professional repairs
Did this help you?
67
Attempting a DIY repair using a rust inhibitor, concrete epoxy, and structural repair patch.
Did this help you?
68
Keeping slower workers on for smaller, non-urgent issues or scheduled unit turns
Did this help you?
69
Hiring external handyman businesses at a higher cost for part-time volume
Did this help you?
70
Scheduling major renovations and projects out in advance
Did this help you?
71
Doing small self-leveling pours independently
Did this help you?
72
Emptying the house out to have work done all at once instead of room by room
Did this help you?
73
Getting recommendations through word-of-mouth from friends and neighbors
Did this help you?
74
Checking local Facebook pages and neighborhood recommendations
Did this help you?
75
Looking for contractor signs in neighborhood yards and asking homeowners about their experience
Did this help you?
76
Learning how to do the repairs yourself using online resources
Did this help you?
77
Asking neighbors, builders, or general contractors for recommendations
Did this help you?
78
Looking for companies with modest vehicle signs rather than expensive custom wraps
Did this help you?
79
Checking 1-star reviews instead of relying purely on high overall ratings
Did this help you?
80
Calling a local plumber
Did this help you?
81
Filing a claim with a home warranty company
Did this help you?
82
Contacting the original retailer or installer
Did this help you?
83
inspecting the attic independently
Did this help you?
84
asking for advice online
Did this help you?
85
Calling down the list of companies on Google until finding one that does repairs
Did this help you?
86
Searching for older local tradesmen or companies that do not market themselves as insurance specialists
Did this help you?
87
Asking friends and acquaintances for personal references and recommendations
Did this help you?
88
Contacting multiple companies to compare quotes despite sub-contracting practices
Did this help you?
89
Getting multiple quotes from local independent window contractors
Did this help you?
90
Searching local city subreddits, Nextdoor, and asking neighbors for recommendations
Did this help you?
91
Comparing U-Factor and SHGC ratings to evaluate quality rather than relying on brand names
Did this help you?
92
Looking to hire local technicians while specifically trying to avoid sales-driven companies offering cheap diagnostic specials.
Did this help you?
93
guessing and calling a handyman
Did this help you?
94
Ignoring minor oil canning and aesthetic flaws
Did this help you?
95
Debating potential causes like wood expansion, contraction, or improper fastener placement
Did this help you?
96
Getting at least three different quotes to compare.
Did this help you?
97
Withholding payment until the job is completely finished for smaller projects.
Did this help you?
98
Ignoring the low bid and continuing to look for an established professional.
Did this help you?
99
Getting multiple quotes and comparing the exact work and materials specified.
Did this help you?
100
Asking friends, neighbors, and trusted people for recommendations.
Did this help you?
101
Avoiding companies with heavy TV advertising or obvious high overhead.
Did this help you?
102
Confirming upfront that the contractor will pull all necessary permits.
Did this help you?
103
Filing a complaint at the store's pro desk to force a remedy or withholding further payment until corrected.
Did this help you?
104
Hiring an independent home inspector to write a report documenting the poor craftsmanship to use as leverage.
Did this help you?
105
Canceling the service, demanding a discount, buying the tools, and completing the installation as a DIY project.
Did this help you?
106
Hiring independent, specialized finish carpenters or professionals directly for a fraction of the cost.
Did this help you?
107
Doing extensive personal research to determine the correct materials and fastening methods.
Did this help you?
108
Trying to hire a more specialized professional just for the structural prep portion of the project.
Did this help you?
109
Leaving a 1-star Google review to force corporate-owned businesses to fix their mistakes.
Did this help you?
110
Having a knowledgeable family member sit in on consultations to prevent being ripped off.
Did this help you?
111
Hiring independent, cash-only immigrant crews instead of established corporate brands.
Did this help you?
112
Spending significant time researching and vetting small, independent businesses to avoid private equity-owned brands.
Did this help you?
113
Sorting Google reviews by lowest rating to look for patterns of specific issues
Did this help you?
114
Asking for recommendations in local Facebook groups rather than Nextdoor
Did this help you?
115
Getting referrals from trusted professionals like structural engineers who see the aftermath of bad work
Did this help you?
116
Sending a detailed email requesting license numbers, insurance certificates, lien waivers, and detailed material outlines.
Did this help you?
117
Requesting payment structures based on completed phases rather than large upfront deposits.
Did this help you?

Tried another approach not listed above?+ Share your workaround ↑

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/homeowners21 people · March 2026 – October 2026

“our realtors inspector failed to find that every toliet and shower was leaking in our home.”source ↗

“hired a guy with plenty of 5* reviews to stain our staircase. horrid.”source ↗

“they used a god damn chainsaw to saw off the posts an inch from the ground.”source ↗

DirtyOught · r/homeowners · 2,233 upvotes

“Try being a blonde, petite female and navigating the world of contractors. They treat you like you are fkn stupid and it's infuriating and you have to watch them closely.”source ↗

colorado_sunrise86 · r/homeowners · 337 upvotes

“The problem is all the guys who say they'll show up and never do. Or the guys who finish half the job and never come back.”source ↗

nicemarmot47 · r/homeowners · 305 upvotes

“I agreed to waiting a month for metal fencing and paid $3200 deposit with a set date given to me of 4/7. That day came and went with no contact from the contractor.”source ↗

Zestyclose_Target325 · r/homeowners · 239 upvotes

“It’s all so gross and annoying. I have to become an expert in everything I buy now to avoid being massively ripped off.”source ↗

Humble-Fish-7070 · r/homeowners · 157 upvotes

“I'm currently just trying to find a reliable handyman and its so annoying. They do one job, insist I take their number for future projects, when ghost when I try to hire them again.”source ↗

inkedslytherim · r/homeowners · 154 upvotes

“Renewal by Anderson is crazy overpriced. Who SHOULD I get quotes from?”source ↗

TeaKingMac · r/homeowners · 81 upvotes

“I made the mistake of using a couple of these PE owned companies. However I did find a convenient solution when they fucked up and wouldn't own their mistake. Turns out these PE owned places really protect their google reviews. Complaining there with a 1 star review got my issue resolved in about 30 minutes.”source ↗

GFEIsaac · r/homeowners · 72 upvotes

“Yeah this sucks. I have to be there for any member of my family to buy tech. Dad has to be there if someone is gonna buy a car. Nurse Grandma has to be involved if it’s health/hospital. Home repairs you gotta have mom come to the consultation. Everyone is trying to rip us off all the time.”source ↗

LegionLotteryWinner · r/homeowners · 31 upvotes

“I just worked an overnight and still hauled my ass out of bed to meet a contractor at 8am to go over an issue they created.”source ↗

“Now it’s an hour later and he responds to my text that he’s just waiting for a guy at another job site and then he’ll head over to my place.”source ↗

“And then last week another handyman who we had set up a job, had cash in hand to pay, just never showed up.”source ↗

“No calls, no texts, no answers to my messages- I thought the guy might have got in a car accident or something.”source ↗

Bookstorecat415 · r/homeowners · 22 upvotes

“My main question is what kind of establishment / craftsperson should I approach to either purchase the stone or to have it made?”source ↗

craiggy36 · r/homeowners · 15 upvotes

“There is an HVAC company in my hometown that was highly recommended for years. I used them for two HVAC units, maintenance, etc. They were great. This year, I was confused as to why the quality of the service had degraded so much. They wouldn't return calls, the answering staff, who used to be very competent, couldn't answer basic questions, etc. It made selling my home a nightmare. This all happened on the home stretch and I nearly had to shell out money to my buyers to compensate them for being unable to get the paperwork they needed.”source ↗

Avarria587 · r/homeowners · 13 upvotes

“Same. We've been using the same plumber to service our steam boiler since we moved into our house in 2019. Tried to setup our annual checkup this October and they'd been bought or something and the receptionists were now off-shore and kept rescheduling our appointment the day the tech was supposed to show up. We decided to drop them and called the different plumbing company that did our main sewer line replacement a couple years ago... And it's now owned by that 1st company. 🥴 It's like pulling teeth now to find good, competent people who will show up on time and do good work for a fair price.”source ↗

elegant_geek · r/homeowners · 10 upvotes

“One company (20+ years in the area, very well reviewed) said they wouldn't come out unless they were coming out to fix #4, and then they could quote the rest.”source ↗

NeilDgTyson_Chicken · r/homeowners · 9 upvotes

“What do I need at ask / know before hiring someone to replace asphalt driveway?”source ↗

Grimke42 · r/homeowners · 3 upvotes

“out of 8 people i called to replace my step, only 2 showed up for quotes, and i got ghosted by every single one of them.”source ↗

InfernalMadness · r/homeowners · 2 upvotes

“my neighbor went with Renewal by Andersen for replacement vinyl and paid something like $3000/window, I used a local company for replacement vinyl made by another local company and paid $530/window... Are his windows nice/better than mine? Maybe? Are they ~$2500/window nicer/better? Certainly not.”source ↗

kts262 · r/homeowners · 2 upvotes

“Pella's hit or miss but local window shops usually beat the big names on price and install quality.”source ↗

Actual_Box_6050 · r/homeowners · 2 upvotes

“Who do I even call to get this fixed? Handyman?”source ↗

Quick-Hamster-3872 · r/homeowners · 2 upvotes

“I'm just trying to help my parents and get the roof replaced and I want really good work done but I'm worried with a lot of these sketchy roofing company's.”source ↗

Amazing-Dance-5512 · r/homeowners

“how does anyone find genuinely good companies for home projects nowadays??”source ↗

“A lot of the issues we’re having is coming from poorly done work.”source ↗

“how do you find companies that are fairly priced and do correct work?”source ↗

Flimsy-Explorer-6420 · r/homeowners

r/HomeImprovement15 people · April 2026 – October 2026

“The day comes and he doesn't show. When I call him he claims has no idea who I am, but can send someone over right away.”source ↗

“The problem is I was quoted a price and I wasn't told it was a cash price and then when they showed up they told me 'oh they can't do that price unless it's cash'. And then told me that they can't do a legitimate job with cash payment.”source ↗

Tashceratops · r/HomeImprovement · 1,089 upvotes

“I hate the trope of contractors "forgetting" about you, showing up hours late, and pretending they're doing you some huge favor by showing up and doing work for the price they gave you.”source ↗

Straight_Ostrich_257 · r/HomeImprovement · 677 upvotes

“I had a lawn guy come over in the fall to give me a quote. Didn’t hear from him so I texted last week. Sorry, he has a new phone, & doesn’t know who I am.”source ↗

MaidMarian20 · r/HomeImprovement · 67 upvotes

“I swear, I’ve been calling around trying to find a window company and a roofer (i have since finally found one) and all i get are these customer service reps that send out a salesman that wants to sit down and take up 2 hours of your time giving a sales pitch about all these different speciality products.”source ↗

“I’m tired of the bullshit scripts about company values, 5 star reviews, here’s this PowerPoint on my IPad, sign a contract today and you get 30% off.”source ↗

Key-Excuse-4774 · r/HomeImprovement · 29 upvotes

“It’s not been easy finding an installer, I’m guessing bc it’s a small job. Lots of unreturned calls..”source ↗

TopRhubarb3984 · r/HomeImprovement · 20 upvotes

“We are having our roof replaced, and wondering how the whole process works once you decide on a company to do the work.”source ↗

“Do we sign the contract and give a small down payment to get things started? The contractor mentioned giving a small chunk ($4,000) we received from insurance to start, but that seems like a large down payment? I’m pretty ignorant to the whole process, so hoping someone with more experience could give me some insight.”source ↗

custom_wild1 · r/HomeImprovement · 3 upvotes

“I am not sure who else to call to get quotes. I don't like dealing with these foundation repair companies that sound like they try to scare you into spending thousands of dollars”source ↗

“I'm not gonna lie, I worry that this "repair" will actually end up causing problems that were not there to begin with.”source ↗

CardiologistOk9510 · r/HomeImprovement · 2 upvotes

“Not sure which type of professional to hire for a brick foundation. thanks”source ↗

EmotionSix · r/HomeImprovement · 2 upvotes

“He gave me an estimate but it's very low.”source ↗

“There are also only a handful of reviews and they aren't recent.”source ↗

“Should I look elsewhere?”source ↗

Beanie-2018 · r/HomeImprovement · 2 upvotes

“I have a sliding glass patio door that is sagging down approx. 5/16" in the center compared to the sides. It's sagging enough that one of the glass panels cracked into a million pieces the other day.”source ↗

“If you were in this situation, who would be your first point of contact? A structural engineer, a general contractor, or just a carpenter? Maybe I can save a bit of money if I pick the correct starting point here...”source ↗

MaximumPepper123 · r/HomeImprovement · 1 upvotes

“i'm about to get some quotes for my garage on some concrete repair. 1 Car, I only want the small area where my garage door touches the concrete to be fixed to create a perfect seal not my entire garage. I know concrete is expensive is this going to be a lot higher than I'm expecting???”source ↗

UmadBoiBoi · r/HomeImprovement · 1 upvotes

“I used a combination of online research and asking other homeowners such as my dad and father in law”source ↗

sabre420z · r/HomeImprovement · 1 upvotes

“I had three roofers look at the my roof and they all said that there are already two layers on there, and no one wants to do repairs, they all just want to replace the whole thing.”source ↗

ellereflections · r/HomeImprovement · 1 upvotes

“Its honestly getting extremely difficult to find anyone. Especially as time goes on. 100 guys retire and only 1 person enters the blue collar work force.”source ↗

ImportantTeaching919 · r/HomeImprovement · 1 upvotes

“Unfortunately the best way is to do it yourself. Learn enough online and save a ton. Tough to discern real handymen from salesmen”source ↗

TeneativeHatPurchase · r/HomeImprovement

r/smallbusiness4 people · July 2026

“I had a burst pipe and had to shut off my main. Called the number on the sticker and they couldn't dispatch anyone for a week.”source ↗

djzrbz · r/smallbusiness · 195 upvotes

“Local oil/gas company had tags on everything. I had a bonafide situation happen the first winter where the boiler just died and I could not fix it. Was getting dangerously cold later that week so I gave them a call. Lady took my number and said they'd call back. They didn't.”source ↗

deathsythe · r/smallbusiness · 51 upvotes

“A week went by and I didn’t see anything. I forgot what company even came. I searched my text to find a name or email and idk I didn’t even bother.”source ↗

sprchrgddc5 · r/smallbusiness · 46 upvotes

“I've had guys come out to site spend 2 hours doing measurements ect then not giving an estimate.”source ↗

NoiseOutrageous8422 · r/smallbusiness · 28 upvotes

r/Flooring5 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“What do I do? I’ve already contacted Lowe’s and their representatives and have paper trail for reference. They’re reviewing my photos and I’m waiting to hear back. They supposedly will send out a QA inspector if deemed necessary. This is an $11k job!!”source ↗

“I start noticing big gouges and tears in my subfloor and I document everything taking pictures and reaching out to the Lowe’s representative, which ends up ghosting me”source ↗

Standard-Ad-6341 · r/Flooring · 170 upvotes

“We bought the tile and materials and threw it on our new Lowe’s credit card and went through Lowe’s for the install. 3 fat rednecks in a mini van rolled up an hour late, came inside and ripped everything out of the bathroom in like 45ish min. That’s when they came and got me. “Sir, we need to show you something”.”source ↗

“He asks me for $400 for the tear out before they leave. I went ape shit on them. They left. At this point, my wife is sobbing in the living room (first big problem with the house)”source ↗

jackANDpepto · r/Flooring · 7 upvotes

“My wife wanted to replace a door once and I went to Home Depot and sat her down with the door guy. I told him already that we were there to simply inform my wife of what the cost would be like if we chose a “professional” to get the job done. They quoted us almost $2500.”source ↗

CoNoCh0 · r/Flooring · 4 upvotes

“I am looking at redoing the floors in my ~950sqft slab on grade house. The slab is old, and wasn't done particularly well to begin with, so I want to pull the current flooring, level everything, and replace with nicer flooring material.”source ↗

“I'd like to just find a contractor to do it so I don't have to mess with that step, potentially mess it up, etc.”source ↗

“Do I just ask around with local flooring contractors? Is this a more specialized job that they would sub out anyways? Do I need a cement guy to do this?”source ↗

AgentBanks · r/Flooring · 1 upvotes

“General flooring contractors are not willing to take the time to install in the way that APA guidelines and the management suggests..”source ↗

“The contractors I talked to always wanted to go with the cheap route: 7/16 OSB attached with minimal to no adhesive and staples.”source ↗

“I have been researching about flooring for the past whole month now and I am very conflicted with the information I am hearing from so many resources”source ↗

Queasy-Fox3191 · r/Flooring · 1 upvotes

r/HomeMaintenance5 people · September 2026

“I’m terribly anxious I made a bad decision. Did I get screwed?”source ↗

“I was really uncomfortable with it, so I said $1,200 not knowing any better and he agreed to it.”source ↗

evie_ekardt · r/HomeMaintenance · 52 upvotes

“Your story mimics mine from a few weeks ago almost exactly. Same product, knock on the door, same story on two coats. Frankly, I think it was a bit scammy and overpriced.”source ↗

masterdillhole · r/HomeMaintenance · 2 upvotes

“I heard a sound and it looks like the support of some cables that were attached to the house bent down or came unattached?”source ↗

KaenLumos · r/HomeMaintenance · 1 upvotes

“I’ve reached out to a few concrete companies to fix an issue in my home. So far none have been willing to help.”source ↗

Potential-Concept-26 · r/HomeMaintenance · 1 upvotes

“I'm not sure who I should contact regarding this...any advice would be appreciated!”source ↗

Noobzta · r/HomeMaintenance · 1 upvotes

r/PropertyManagement4 people · September 2026

“Anyone else find it SO difficult to find good maintenance people? I’m new to this and have inherited about 25 units.”source ↗

Mora_Mountain5769 · r/PropertyManagement · 28 upvotes

“took me like 4 tries before i landed someone who'd actually show up when they said they would.”source ↗

Next-Increase9863 · r/PropertyManagement · 3 upvotes

“One thing I struggled with as a supervisor was finding a contractor to replace myself for projects I didn't have time to do”source ↗

wiserTyou · r/PropertyManagement · 2 upvotes

“it's been so hard ever since then to find good people that are reliable!”source ↗

New_Elevator_5327 · r/PropertyManagement · 1 upvotes

r/hvacadvice10 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“Hey everyone just asking if it is normal for companies to refuse to use metal duct and only want to use R8 flex duct.”source ↗

“I mentioned to a company that is quoting me I want hard duct on my new install and he straight up said we won’t do that we only use flex duct”source ↗

Ok-Drive-2401 · r/hvacadvice · 25 upvotes

“I've had the same problem with maintenance on my dad's house. Offer to give people fat piles of cash to get projects done. Either don't want the work or no call no show.”source ↗

GGigabiteM · r/hvacadvice · 5 upvotes

“As I seek out contractors to come over, what kinds of things should indicate that they are definitely the wrong people to be working with?”source ↗

HoodFeelGood · r/hvacadvice · 4 upvotes

“That’s fine I’m willing to pay, that’s why I told him that’s what I wanted. It kinda put me off to this company.”source ↗

Ok-Drive-2401 · r/hvacadvice · 3 upvotes

“It might be better to just invest the money in a new system rather than investing too much in that one.”source ↗

One-Combination-6793 · r/hvacadvice · 3 upvotes

“Mainly I want to find an actual tech and not a sales rep. Happy to pay the standard hourly rate and not a $29 service special.”source ↗

stignordas · r/hvacadvice · 2 upvotes

“Most companies won’t install customer purchased equipment. Most will not guarantee the equipment if it’s purchased by you or warranty it either.”source ↗

Clamper2 · r/hvacadvice · 1 upvotes

“Established business’s will not install equipment they didn’t buy..”source ↗

Alive_Anxiety8440 · r/hvacadvice · 1 upvotes

“I look at companies near me and everyone has 5 star reviews on Google. Not believable to me.”source ↗

mwusa1 · r/hvacadvice · 1 upvotes

“No HVAC company here will touch it because they didn't install it, but I did get one of them to at least diagnose it.”source ↗

“I think I'm screwed out of the money for the condenser because of the warranty/installer issue”source ↗

dwill138383 · r/hvacadvice · 1 upvotes

“My heat pump is not defrosting in the winter. I filled out the form for a highly recommended local company, no response. I schedule a guy to come out days in advance, he no call no shows.”source ↗

Overall-Fig3079 · r/hvacadvice

r/Plumbing5 people · September 2026

“Water started leaking from the cold water line on my heater. Do I call home warranty, water heater company ?(Lowe’s installed about 2-3 yrs ago).”source ↗

tac29000 · r/Plumbing · 18 upvotes

“I wouldn't hire anyone who talks like this about his work. It's bullshit.”source ↗

space_keeper · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Hello do you know a decent contractor that can replace Poly B in Quebec ?”source ↗

“I'm considering replacing mine because the system is 30 plus years old.”source ↗

truth-telling · r/Plumbing

“So I had this boiler installed by a guy I found out later was trying to scam me”source ↗

“Since plumbing is not my forte and want to hire a professional id like to understand terms or strategies to fix it so that when they try to add extra fluff to make the job sound harder than it is I don’t get screwed over with pricing.”source ↗

uhyeaimokwiththis · r/Plumbing

“I wouldn't hire anybody that doesn't have a website. If they're just like advertising on Facebook or craigslist, yeah fuck that. You're too lazy to run a website, you're too lazy for my business.”source ↗

Unusual_Point7899 · r/Plumbing

r/Landscaping1 person · November 2026

“Is this a wild thing to send a contractor or landscape/hardscape company?”source ↗

“after our experience earlier this summer with someone who walked away with our deposit, I just want to be thorough and make sure everything is handled properly.”source ↗

MorningRippies · r/Landscaping · 2 upvotes

r/Roofing9 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“Who do I bring in to identify/implement the proper fix for this?”source ↗

“The soffit in this area has been redone once, I want to figure out what the underlying issues are here so we can be 100% done.”source ↗

646F726B0A · r/Roofing · 2 upvotes

“half the battle is getting them to even show up for a quote.”source ↗

“i have two quotes so far. one for 37k (roofing company that runs ads), 2nd for $17,200 that includes new gutters.”source ↗

IllustratorObvious40 · r/Roofing · 2 upvotes

“My fear is that the ridge vent or the patching will leak, and I will be SOL.”source ↗

“I am also worried about popup storms occurring while the ridge is open.”source ↗

“When it comes to the rpatching the box and gable vents, adding baffles and insulation instal, there is no Workmanship Warranty. Their warranty also specifically does not cover water damage caused by them for any reason.”source ↗

foureyedgrrl · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“Lowest one was heritage builders but their reviews are mixed which makes me think if that low quote has a catch.”source ↗

TotalOverDose95 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“Problem is trusting the contractor enough for the workmanship warranty. How well will they honor it in case of something goes wrong.”source ↗

“Can’t trust Google reviews as almost every single roofer is apparently 5 star rated.”source ↗

TotalOverDose95 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“I get all kinds of estimates and answers, but no one will tell me what materials they are going to use.”source ↗

SnooRecipes1430 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“I've had over 4 people that do roofing come out and look at that pool casita asking them to match the other building's flashing and not one of them said it was upside down.”source ↗

SnooRecipes1430 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“So even if you get a metal guy out, 10 to 1 its a salesman.”source ↗

“And that sums up why its so hard to get a good roofer out”source ↗

LaughingMagicianDM · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“So far I had two roof companies in my area tell me they don't do repairs.”source ↗

“It's definitely been a bit of a shock to me that they don't do repairs.”source ↗

Delicious-Goat-3270 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“I think it’s wild the increasing amount of roofing companies who claim to not do repairs.”source ↗

Turbulent-Grape-9028 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“Looking for recommendations for slate roofing contractors that will do work near Syracuse New York. having a hard time finding any.”source ↗

Saunders_99 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“ironcially, the 37k quote i got, didn't include the permit.”source ↗

IllustratorObvious40 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes