NC just for outing potential.
I've been trying to get some landscaping done for ages. I say landscaping, it's actually a tiny patio, replacement fencing and gate, then some work on the equally tiny front garden. About 2k/4 days worth. I have contacted about 8 tradesmen/small companies. Two never answered the messages i left. One came out and gave a ridiculous quote then refused to break it down itemised. One says he'd quote after coming round but didn't. Another quoted and we asked to book but he never replied. (They are all busy right now but we agreed work would start in autumn. They came to view earlier this summer).
After a while i contacted some more people though i was running out of recommended local options (all of the above came recommended). Two guys came out quite promptly and were very nice, informative, we had a joke about the previous insane quote etc. They itemised everything on the spot and calculated the ballpark cost which was great. We discussed different materials and options in a fair amount of detail. We spoke about an October start date. This was near the end of July.
I messaged afterwards to say thanks for coming and being so informative and we'd like to book in. Guy said great, will get back to confirm. A couple of days later I decided a wall at the front would work best in place of a fence, i messaged this and asked if that was ok. He asked me to double check measurements and send them over just so he could amend the quote, a wall would be an extra day's work which i said was fine. After that i heard nothing. Over the past few weeks i gently prodded once, heard nothing again, so called instead, the guy apologised, went over what we'd said before and said he'd send the quote via email that evening. He messaged me an hour later to say he was doing it and asked me to link to the pavers i wanted, which I did. He said he'd get the email sent over. It never arrived. After a few days i messaged to check he had the right email. No response. No email in spam folder or anything. So i waited. Two weeks. Last week I left a voicemail. Again no response.
It's a shame as they seemed really friendly and competent, good work/reviews etc. But AIBU to try and find someone else now (again?) if there's anyone even left, haha. I might give this guy one last call before i do. FYI he is working and posting on his social media and updating the company Facebook. PS I try very hard to not be an asshole, I'm polite and straightforward and the job isn't too big or too small IMO with reasonable/normal requests, so I'm pretty stressed that no one wants to bother! I know they all have a lot of work on so they can turn anything down, but i don't even mind if it gets done next year as long as it is booked! I am exhausted mentally by chasing people up and doing all the admin so i really didn't want to have to explain the job AGAIN.
Anyone else have this happen?