Contractor Issue

[deadwing]

I recently had several contractors out to quote a patio project.  One immediately rose to the top of the group.  A week ago he was booking for the end of May.  I was prepared to sign a contract, but he wanted to finalize some details I wanted to change in the original proposal first.  We went back and forth a couple of times and then he stopped responding.  I just received a new email from him saying that my email got mixed up with another customers (I don't quite know what he means by that - I'm assuming it got moved to the wrong folder or something) and now he has booked the entire year in full.  Needless to say, I'm upset.  I'm not sure how likely I am to find another contractor to do the job this year - and even if I do, I'm sure it would be late in the season.  I'm tempted to ask if I could sign a contract to be the first job of 2022 with the following provisions:

1.  The pricing he gave me last week stands
2.  I have until June 1, 2021 to find someone to do the job sooner and get whatever deposit I have to provide along with the contract back in full.

Is this a terrible idea?  I'm not sure how put off I should be by the communications mistake.  

[maudefindlay]

Given how busy they are, I can't imagine they will feel too motivated to book you with stipulations. I'd just try to find someone else.

[Deleted]

That's contractor speak for "we don't want to do the job." I'd just move on.

[ellipses84]

If it was an honest mistake, I think he’d be willing to agree to #1, with a possible caveat depending on materials / costs. You could write in a budget range each materials that you don’t select until closer to construction so that wouldn’t be an issue, i.e. Subway tile $2-3/SF. I don’t think you have any leverage to negotiate for number 2 and drawing up a contract is a PITA if there’s a chance it could be void. Sometimes you can do a letter of intent but I don’t know how legally binding that would be if no work started.

Sometimes a good, but overly busy contractor is not the best contractor, especially if it’s a small job.

[origami]

Im not sure I’d want to lock in 2021 pricing. I’m also getting patio quotes and was told the prices are much higher than normal due to covid/supply issues/increased demand. I hate my current backyard and I’m itching to fix it this year, but also seriously considering a delay to get past this bubble.

[dr.girlfriend]

Mar 27, 2021 8:38:18 GMT -5 origami said:

Im not sure I’d want to lock in 2021 pricing. I’m also getting patio quotes and was told the prices are much higher than normal due to covid/supply issues/increased demand. I hate my current backyard and I’m itching to fix it this year, but also seriously considering a delay to get past this bubble.

I agree with this.  It's hard to predict the future, but my guess is that in 2022 people will be traveling again, and the surge in home renovations will take a backseat to long-delayed trips and vacations.  I would hope both pricing of materials and contractor availability would reduce.