Hiring a Contractor? Use Jodi's Zodiac of Contractor Types
Fitzpatrick-Last month I went through the ordeal of hiring a contractor to build a concrete block fence on my property. I solicited the ubiquitous three estimates from three contractors I would consider hiring, and in the process, I noticed these three particular types of contractors resembled the same types of contractors I hire in my field. As an interior designer, I’m often in the (thankless) position of trying to match my clients with architects and remodeling contractors. If it’s a job where I’m observing a project on behalf of the client, I attempt to match an installer’s personality, style of work and fee with the clients to whom they are most suited. So here, for the edification and amusement of all, is Jodi’s Typological Zodiac of Contractors:
Type A is a sole proprietor or one-man/woman corporation; a maverick, a character, high-energy and charismatic, who will bend the rules and do favors, but never admits to any mistakes. His eye is firmly on the ball--the one with the dollar signs on it. He can’t afford to go out of business, as he could not work for anyone else:
Good Match: Other mavericks, people who long for a little excitement in their lives, people who play psychological games and are under the (usually mistaken) impression that they are controlling the Type A.
Bad Match: People who do things by the book.
Price Level: Generally on the high side.
Work Quality: Good to Shite Artiste. Type A rarely does excellent work; he’s too focused on the almighty buck.
Type B is actually two types; B-1 and B-2
B-1 is a reputable company with logos on their trucks and name badges on their workers. You will deal with an estimator, then a job superintendent and if anything goes wrong, the owner of the company. Their employees are legal, speak English and are often highly trained. The B-1 company is small, does high-quality work and doesn’t need to advertise; word-of-mouth and referrals give it more business than it can handle.
Good Match: Folks who likes things done right and will pay for it.
Bad Match: People who are looking for the lowest bid.
Price Level: High
Work Quality: High
B-2 is also a reputable company, but without the attention to detail of a B-2. They will also have an estimator, job super’, schedulers and the owner will be remote. Their employees may have papers, but their English is spotty as are their skills. B-2’s are often B-1’s who decided to grow, with a corresponding drop in quality of work, but now with more competitive pricing.
Good Match: People looking for a decent job at a competitive price.
Bad Match: Perfectionists.
Price Level: Mid to low
Work Quality: Passable
Type C is a commercial company who will do residential work, usually as a favor to one of their commercial clients or friends. These guys do can do great work, but they are blow-and-go, and if a larger commercial job is calling them, they will drop your small residential one as quickly as you can say “liquidated damages” (the fees commercial contractors incur if they don’t finish a job on schedule). They do residential work as a favor, and act accordingly, but they will be the fastest, if not the most thorough. Their workers are often union-trained and highly paid employees with benefits, or sub-contractors themselves with the incentive to finish your job quickly and with no call-back issues.
Good Match: Other professionals, especially building professionals.
Bad Match: Anyone expecting warm fuzzies and/or handholding.
Price Level: High
Work Quality: High to Good
Type D is an unlicensed guy from one of these company’s doing a “side job,” often for cash, on a weekend or day off. He has no insurance, no worker’s comp, so if he or one of his guys/friends is injured, he could come after your homeowner’s insurance for being hurt on your property. You have no leverage of complaint with him, but you are not, in California, required to pay him, because he is not licensed.
Good Match: None, except a personal injury attorney. But I do understand (but don’t condone) people in financial straights that really need something done hiring this guy.
Bad Match: Perfectionists, by-the-book folks.
Price Level: Mid to Low
Work Quality: Mid to Low (skilled workers are valuable and paid enough that they take their weekends).
Type E are the enlightened; the citizen/contractors who are educated and design sensitive. These folks are quirky dreamers, who take on work as they need it and only if they gel with the client. You can receive excellent as well as sub-par work from them, since they tend to be a tad arrogant and believe they can perform any trade. They may be verbose, though usually very charming. Easily offended and temperamental, they will always do the right thing by the client, and bring a great bottle of wine to the finish party.
Good Match: Other educated dreamers.
Bad Match: Time-sensitive professionals, bargain hunters.
Price Level: All over the map, but rarely the most expensive.
Work Quality: Excellent to Oh-I’ve-Always-Wanted-To-Try….
I can’t wait for Peg to weigh in on this….
Type A is a sole proprietor or one-man/woman corporation; a maverick, a character, high-energy and charismatic, who will bend the rules and do favors, but never admits to any mistakes. His eye is firmly on the ball--the one with the dollar signs on it. He can’t afford to go out of business, as he could not work for anyone else:
Good Match: Other mavericks, people who long for a little excitement in their lives, people who play psychological games and are under the (usually mistaken) impression that they are controlling the Type A.
Bad Match: People who do things by the book.
Price Level: Generally on the high side.
Work Quality: Good to Shite Artiste. Type A rarely does excellent work; he’s too focused on the almighty buck.
Type B is actually two types; B-1 and B-2
B-1 is a reputable company with logos on their trucks and name badges on their workers. You will deal with an estimator, then a job superintendent and if anything goes wrong, the owner of the company. Their employees are legal, speak English and are often highly trained. The B-1 company is small, does high-quality work and doesn’t need to advertise; word-of-mouth and referrals give it more business than it can handle.
Good Match: Folks who likes things done right and will pay for it.
Bad Match: People who are looking for the lowest bid.
Price Level: High
Work Quality: High
B-2 is also a reputable company, but without the attention to detail of a B-2. They will also have an estimator, job super’, schedulers and the owner will be remote. Their employees may have papers, but their English is spotty as are their skills. B-2’s are often B-1’s who decided to grow, with a corresponding drop in quality of work, but now with more competitive pricing.
Good Match: People looking for a decent job at a competitive price.
Bad Match: Perfectionists.
Price Level: Mid to low
Work Quality: Passable
Type C is a commercial company who will do residential work, usually as a favor to one of their commercial clients or friends. These guys do can do great work, but they are blow-and-go, and if a larger commercial job is calling them, they will drop your small residential one as quickly as you can say “liquidated damages” (the fees commercial contractors incur if they don’t finish a job on schedule). They do residential work as a favor, and act accordingly, but they will be the fastest, if not the most thorough. Their workers are often union-trained and highly paid employees with benefits, or sub-contractors themselves with the incentive to finish your job quickly and with no call-back issues.
Good Match: Other professionals, especially building professionals.
Bad Match: Anyone expecting warm fuzzies and/or handholding.
Price Level: High
Work Quality: High to Good
Type D is an unlicensed guy from one of these company’s doing a “side job,” often for cash, on a weekend or day off. He has no insurance, no worker’s comp, so if he or one of his guys/friends is injured, he could come after your homeowner’s insurance for being hurt on your property. You have no leverage of complaint with him, but you are not, in California, required to pay him, because he is not licensed.
Good Match: None, except a personal injury attorney. But I do understand (but don’t condone) people in financial straights that really need something done hiring this guy.
Bad Match: Perfectionists, by-the-book folks.
Price Level: Mid to Low
Work Quality: Mid to Low (skilled workers are valuable and paid enough that they take their weekends).
Type E are the enlightened; the citizen/contractors who are educated and design sensitive. These folks are quirky dreamers, who take on work as they need it and only if they gel with the client. You can receive excellent as well as sub-par work from them, since they tend to be a tad arrogant and believe they can perform any trade. They may be verbose, though usually very charming. Easily offended and temperamental, they will always do the right thing by the client, and bring a great bottle of wine to the finish party.
Good Match: Other educated dreamers.
Bad Match: Time-sensitive professionals, bargain hunters.
Price Level: All over the map, but rarely the most expensive.
Work Quality: Excellent to Oh-I’ve-Always-Wanted-To-Try….
I can’t wait for Peg to weigh in on this….
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