Ask by armyof4: Estimate to fix my kitchen?
4 weeks have past since we had some water damage in our kitchen. The floor, parts of drywall and 3 cabinets need replacing. This would involve; removing existing flooring and replacing it, finding matching cabinets or building matching ones, removing the countertop, replacing the drywall and removing all debris.
The insurance company has sent an estimate and now we’re trying to find a contractor to fix the damage , so we can fax it to the insurance company. We found 3 that would give us free estimates, but thats where we are stuck now.
The first guy isn’t picking up the phone , the second guy always tells us ‘tomorrow’ when we ask about the estimate and the third simply didn’t show up or call after we agreed on a time to meet for the estimate.
How long does it usualy take to get the written estimate back or are we just waiting around for nothing and should just find new contractors for estimates?

Selected answer:

Answer by Jim W
Find several new contractors, the ones you have reached are not interested in the job or they would have been there when they said.

Answer by ozarks bum
You have extensive work to be done. The contractors you have asked to come to give estimates have not shown up. Why would you want them to come and work on your place if you have to cajole them into coming to give an estimate.

Most contractors, unless in extremely busy circumstances, work on speculation. Part of that speculation is taking the time, even in the evenings and weekends, to make the visit and get back to you fairly promptly (three days is about average because they have to do some research if they are to provide the materials of any sort).

I would start finding some more contractors. Call the insurance company or other if yours is not local and ask who has done a good job in the past. They won’t be shy about answering you, they have paid the person for work done, and they know if there were problems afterward with that work.

Part of your problem may be the issue of the drywall. Right now, mold is a significant issue in the contracting world. And wet drywall and sometimes very wet wood contributes to extra work, potential inspections, occasionally city certification, etc., and the contractors either do not have the experience or don’t want to do that type of work. You could look for home renovations companies and ask about that.
Your problem seems fairly significant in terms of dollars and that could lure a couple in, especially if your insurance company is helping with the costs.
I recently sent out six requests for bids on a water well. Got one response by mail and one guy called me and tried to get me to commit to a job 360 miles away, but would not give me any references. Always always ask for a couple of referernces and make those calls. You won’t regret it. Again, try your insurance company, explain the issue and tell them you need help. That is what you pay them for. Barring significant info from them, call a couple of reputable realtors, the managers of their own branch offices, and ask. They are a wealth of info as they collect all that info all the time and they see the good and the bad and the ugly.

Answer by Paul L
I don’t know where you are located but there is a contractor referral service called Service Magic. All of the contractors are prescreened and insured. The contractors are charged for these referrals weather they get the job or not. They also come with referrances that you can read.

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