Contractors From Heaven . . . or Hell
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Contractors From Heaven . . . or Hell
Most people are happy with the workers they hired to improve their homes, says a survey by Opinion Research on behalf of Kimberly-Clark Professional in January. And then there are the rest:
Sixty-four percent of respondents said contractors are "usually professional and get the job done properly and on time." However, one-fifth of homeowners said contractors are "unreliable, often late and rarely finish a job when they say they will."
Fourteen percent said a contractor had asked them to help with the work, 3 percent said a contractor asked them out on a date, and 4 percent said a contractor took food or drink from the refrigerator without asking. Two percent of respondents said the contractor took a nap on their bed or couch.
The most common "contractor nightmare" that respondents reported was that a job took a lot longer than the contractor promised, with nearly half saying that had happened to them. Another common issue, reported by 30 percent: While fixing one thing, the contractor broke another.
Forty-one percent of respondents said the cost of the work would be the most likely factor to discourage them from hiring a contractor to do work inside their home. About one-third cited concern about the disappointment they would feel if the job wasn't done right, and 10 percent were worried about the mess the contractor would create. Four percent cited a fear that contractor would bring germs into their home by touching things, sneezing and coughing, and 1 percent were concerned by the thought of workers using their bathroom.
Seventy percent of the respondents said the most important reason they would choose a particular contractor is a recommendation from someone they trust. Sixteen percent cited a feeling that they could trust the contractor with their home and possessions, and 10 percent gave highest priority to a good price. Less than 1 percent reported caring whether the contractor was good-looking.
Nearly 40 percent of respondents said environmental considerations were not a factor in deciding whether to hire a particular contractor. However, about a third said they would be more likely to hire someone who incorporates recycling into their practices, and 15 percent said they would prefer to hire someone who uses products that reduce chemical emissions and fumes.
In most households, men and women jointly choose which contractor to hire, according to survey respondents. Twenty-three percent said a man makes the call, and 18 percent said a woman does.
SOURCE: Kimberly-Clark Professional
