No. Actually, there are some areas where you just can't get a contractor. I have 2 friends in similar situations in my area. 25+ contractors contacted...Maybe 3 showed up...and only 1 returned with a bid, and it wasn't right.

Some areas are crazy busy, and contractors would prefer not to do remodels right now.

My friend who put in a pool last summer had the same complaint: She says people have so much work that they just don't want to come out and look at a new project. She said she felt like she was standing out by the highway with her hands full of money screaming, "Please, please will you come take this from me?" and no one would even look her way.

GreenDesigns, I'm being turned down before they even know my budget or the scope of work or anything. Conversations are going like this.

"Hi, I am looking for a contractor to come and give me a bid on a project."

"Sorry. I'm all booked up."

"Will you consider putting me down for next year?"

"Sorry, I'm too full at the moment to take any new clients."

Click.

I always thought contractors were a dime a dozen in the area... Now business is booming and there is no one to be had. I know of half a dozen houses or more that are being built or remodeling on my road right now. And I live way out in a rural community. (The closest Walmart is 15 minutes away and it's not even a super Walmart.) I don't think that this many houses have been built in this area in the previous decade before that. It's crazy.

Perhaps a different phrasing would aid in callbacks. "I have 300K to spend on a master suite addition to my home in XYZ. I've seen your reviews and I think I'd like to work with you. I realize that you probably have a waiting list, but can we make an appointment to talk about getting me on your schedule in the future?"

When folks are in demand, you pick the guy you want to work with, and you wait. Attempting to get bids from several sources is self defeating. It's a seller's market and folks are bidding well above list price for their work.

I always thought contractors were a dime a dozen in the area

They were a decade ago. The recession sent many, if not most, contractors out of business. The ones that did stay are the good ones, and they can pick and choose the work they do.

Keep up your persistence. If you have your financing in place and a set of construction documents prepared by an architect, some contractor is bound to take you on sooner or later. You don't want to eat at a restaurant with an empty parking lot, and you may not want a contractor that has a lot of time on their hands.

You mentioned the contractor you like is building a house for a friend. There is the reason he does not spend time dealing with new jobs. Seems to me you need to send him a message that you would really like for him to do your job, and you appreciate his dedication to his current job, and would he let you know when he can discuss your job. After 4 years, 6 months should not be a big wait for the right company.

Linda yes. I like the contractor I have already talked to. I'd prefer to stay with him, and I have stopped "shopping around."

HandyMac that is exactly what I plan on doing. I want to let him know that I am serious about this, and would like him to do the job. I'm willing to wait. The problem is he isn't returning my calls, so I can even tell him this. I guess I can sum it up in a message or a text, but I feel like talking to him would optimal.

I wouldn't consider myself a serial shopper. This is the FIRST contractor to give us an estimate. I haven't called anyone since. It's not like I'm turning people down.

Also he has never asked us our budget. We told him what work we wanted and he gave us numbers. We liked those numbers. Friend doesn't know anything about my budget. Just that I was wanting an addition.

Everything was going smoothly. But he accidentally figured the estimate on the the wrong floor plan size. (His fault, not mine. It was just a miscalculation error.) So he said oops, I'll have to fix that and get back to you with correct numbers. He mentioned meeting up so we could continue the process. Last I've heard. It took him several weeks to give me the first estimate because he was busy, so I'm really just hoping he is busy now and he will get back to us when he can. I know they are trying to hurry up and dry in my friend's addition before the weather gets too bad here. So perhaps this is just a bad time for him.

Also we've been planning this for 4 years, but I only started calling this year. Then my first preferred contractor dragged their feet getting back to us for several months and I didn't call anyone during this time because I was waiting on them. Then they got too busy and said they couldn't take on any new clients.

From what I understand contractors are just swamped right now. And if they are going to take on a job they would prefer a new build over an addition.That is why I've had such rotten luck.

I think I'll just have to be patient. I really felt like this contractor was the guy for us, and I know he does additions and good work. I'll work up a message for him just letting him know we are serious and are willing to wait. And hopefully he will get back to me when he has more time.

Okay guys. It's a sign. I sent him a lengthy text message and he responded instantly. He said he gets crappy cell reception at his job site and he apologized for not answering my call. So texting is the only option when he is working. He still wants to work with me, and is going to call me this evening after he gets home. Praise be!

Great news! Hope things start moving along for you!

Patience, hard to come by, we all know it. Stick with it and post photos and plans!

Our contractor was great but subs were a different story. They are all stretched so thin. Political situation has everyone antsy and hesitant to hire much needed help fearing layoffs and need to pay out unemployment so they are running tight ships. And experienced help is hard to find.

So glad our build is over except a few things on punch list and appliance woes.

The moral of the story? Forget University, become a contractor and laugh all the way to the bank!

Of course I realize that my above comment doesn't help you. I've been in the same position as you. It is totally discouraging...everybody seems to blame YOU, but it is really the world topsy turvey. It will be interesting to see what happens to the U.S. economy after the November elections ... maybe it will be a different story then

Clinton will get elected, the markets will react with joy, and there still wont be anybody to hire.

Yea, let's not get in the middle of a political discussion. This is about contractors.....the off topic would just start a huge battle and be totally non-productive.

Yes, Russ you're 100% correct - sorry about that !

Sooo. The contractor never called me back. Ugh.

When I was at the bank my loan officer highly recommended a contractor to me. I called them, and they came out and looked the very next day, and then gave me an estimate the day after that. :o The price is within just a couple thousand of the other estimate I received. And this new contractor is working / has worked on several of my neighbors and even built my uncles house.

At this point I am amazed how prompt these guys were, and hey, they answered/returned my calls in a timely fashion. They are booked until early spring, but they are willing to do a contract now so I won't be strung along and then cancelled on again. This really might be happening guys. I liked my previously picked contractor, but I'm not sure I want to do business with something who can't even return my calls.

That sounds like great news! If you sign a contract now, how does that influence the construction cost if the price of materials has increased 6 months from now? I'm just mentioning it because I waited a year for my contractor and now the cost is $100,000 over what he said he could do it for (time and materials). I don't know if it was due to an increase in material cost or whether because it is time and materials he just didn't really bother doing an accurate "budget" because he'd get paid anyway. I live in Ontario Canada, and everyone is hesitant to give an "estimate" because by law the cost can not be more than 10% of the estimate. Of course now evryone just calls it a "budget" to get around that little glitch!

We've decided to go with #2, and they should be starting by January!