Hey everyone! I've been working with a smaller landscaping company that does great work, but I'm starting to feel frustrated with their constant need to reschedule. This past spring, I hired this guy to install a fence and raised beds for about $10k. The project ended up being a month late, and I received multiple last-minute texts about delays due to migraines, sick employees, or other jobs running late. While I appreciated the quality of the work and even a free add-on they did to make up for the inconvenience, I gave them another chance for a smaller project. Unfortunately, they're being flaky again, giving me vague time windows and rescheduling on the day-of because of issues like being short-staffed. I'm curious if this is just part of the industry norm or if this person is disorganized and unprofessional? I could really use some insights. Thanks!
5 Answers
Honestly, it sounds like he's just not managing his business well. It's not uncommon for skilled tradespeople to be great at their craft but struggle with the organizational side. You might be dealing with a good worker who's overwhelmed and can't keep up with scheduling.
A little chaos can be expected with small teams, but if he’s consistently disorganized, it might be a red flag. Sometimes people have personal issues that affect their work. If you want your projects done without hiccups, it might be worth considering other options if he doesn’t improve his communication and reliability.
Exactly! Good communication goes a long way. If he can't handle that, you might want to find someone who can.
While some leniency is understandable, there's a limit. I personally wouldn't keep hiring someone who flakes on me, regardless of the excuses. My time is valuable too, and I wouldn't want to sit around waiting. If they can’t respect your time, it’s best to move on to someone who will.
Sounds like your landscaper may be juggling too much at once. Pretty common for contractors who might be good at the work but bad at running a business. You might want to think about whether you're okay with some flexibility or if you need someone who’s going to hold their commitments more seriously.
Exactly! If he can’t manage his projects better, it could be time to consider other options even if the work was good.
True! Sometimes you have to weigh the quality of work against their reliability.
This kind of behavior is definitely a sign of an unprofessional contractor. Grown-ups communicate and stick to their commitments; there's no excuse for constantly rescheduling unless it’s an absolute emergency. You deserve someone who treats you and your schedule with respect.
I totally agree! It's so important for tradespeople to be organized, especially when they're dealing with multiple projects. You deserve better reliability!