19 Contractors Contacted... Only 3 Estimates?? What Gives?

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to share this experience and get some perspective—because I seriously didn’t expect this to be so frustrating.

I reached out to 19 different contractors about building a deck. I’m not trying to do this on the cheap—I know this is at least a $40K+ job, probably more. I never said I needed it done for that price or anything—I’m just trying to get a sense of what’s out there and find someone solid. This isn’t a little $5K patio—it’s a real, full-sized project.

Two weeks later, only 5 contractors actually showed up, and only 1 gave me a written estimate. Two others gave verbal ballpark numbers and said, “If you're interested, I’ll put it in writing—but I need a commitment first.” Like… what?? How am I supposed to “commit” without even seeing the full quote?? That really threw me.

Should I just take those verbal numbers and treat them like actual estimates at this point? It’s wild.

Some of them even called later asking me what other people bid—just fishing for info instead of quoting based on their own work. Really odd.

Even worse, a few were hesitant to put in writing that the work would pass inspection, which is literally required. That’s basic stuff. I’m not one of those clients asking for line-by-line breakdowns either. In fact, my spouse says I’m too easygoing—I basically just say, “Here’s the job, I need it done.” That’s it. No pressure.

One guy even tried to pressure me into redoing the screen porch, claiming there might be issues. But we built this house custom just 10 years ago, had every inspection, and know it inside and out. Total scare tactic. Big red flag.

A couple of them said they might be able to fit me in this fall… Is this just how the market is right now?

At this point, I’m wondering—do I just go with the one contractor who gave a real, detailed, and professional quote? Or should I keep waiting, chasing down more?

Anyone else going through this mess? I honestly thought getting quotes would be the easy part.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to add one more thought…

Am I wrong to think that if I have to “corner” or chase a contractor just to get them to follow up, that’s a huge red flag? Like… this is the phase where they’re supposed to be putting their best foot forward to win the job, right?

If they’re already this unresponsive before they get the contract, I can only imagine how hard it would be to get a hold of them once the job starts—or worse, if something goes wrong.

It just feels backwards to have to beg someone to take on a $40K+ project. I get that contractors are busy, but still… basic professionalism shouldn’t be optional.

Curious if others feel the same way or if I’m overthinking it.

[Anonymous]

I think you're likely either contacting the wrong people (big contractors who don't take on jobs this small) or something about your approach is offputting.

Maybe try people who focus on landscaping and outdoor work?

[Anonymous]

You are probably telegraphing that you are casting a wide net for this job and contractors are justly skeptical that they will not win the bid so why put in the time. You might try to narrow the field a bit first and tell the contractors specifically why you have asked them to bid (recommended by a neighbor, admired their work, whatever). And ask them directly if they do small jobs.

We have a summer house in a market where contractors are in very high demand and you basically need a connection to get anyone to return calls. On our last project ($350k) we basically had to select the contractor based on quality and a personal recommendation and then get the price. We did get 3 bids, but they were all ballpark ranges until we committed to one.

[Anonymous]

19 contractors is crazy. They might know what you’re doing and not want to participate in this competition for the cheapest price.

Had I been you I would have narrowed it down to five based on reviews and recommendations, and gotten quotes from three.

[Anonymous]

I suspect they think you aren’t serious. You can’t use up 19 people’s time when you’ll only use 1. You need to pre-qualify a few contractors, perhaps 2-3 (rely on personal recs) and seem very clear and straightforward. It is also totally reasonable that you won’t get on someone’s schedule till fall. The good ones are busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19 contractors is crazy. They might know what you’re doing and not want to participate in this competition for the cheapest price.

Had I been you I would have narrowed it down to five based on reviews and recommendations, and gotten quotes from three.

I started with 5 and gave them a few days to respond and then just started contacting everyone with high google reviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are probably telegraphing that you are casting a wide net for this job and contractors are justly skeptical that they will not win the bid so why put in the time. You might try to narrow the field a bit first and tell the contractors specifically why you have asked them to bid (recommended by a neighbor, admired their work, whatever). And ask them directly if they do small jobs.

We have a summer house in a market where contractors are in very high demand and you basically need a connection to get anyone to return calls. On our last project ($350k) we basically had to select the contractor based on quality and a personal recommendation and then get the price. We did get 3 bids, but they were all ballpark ranges until we committed to one.

I have never claimed that there are multiple bids, in fact wouldn't that be expected? Who would just contact one contractor and then no one else?

[Anonymous]

Contractors are slammed right now and busy due to the volume of home sales and transactions. Many renovation jobs going on for rental properties, as well as new homeowners to the area.

[Anonymous]

That is why I went with Pro built construction about ten years ago.
They were one of two who came out and wrote the proposal and gave me date when they can start.
One contractor who advertised heavily wouldn’t come out to give estimates.

[Anonymous]

It might not be a big enough job. Or they may be busy. Also with the tariff issue it’s probably tough to give you an estimate. They don’t know what their costs will be.

[Anonymous]

And a fall start sounds right if you’re just doing estimates now.

[Anonymous]

I also had a landscaper (who also does stone work) try to tell me my entire cement porch needed to be removed and rebuilt. Every other house on the street has the same type of porch and there have been no problems anywhere.

Later, I asked a different contractor, and he said the porch looked fine.

The scammers are great because the red flag tells you whom not to work with again. In my case, I had ALREADY hired the company for landscaping, which worked well. But I did not hire them repeatedly due to their lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:19 contractors is crazy. They might know what you’re doing and not want to participate in this competition for the cheapest price.

Had I been you I would have narrowed it down to five based on reviews and recommendations, and gotten quotes from three.

I started with 5 and gave them a few days to respond and then just started contacting everyone with high google reviews.

I think your problem is Google reviews.

[Anonymous]

Update: I got another estimate in writing, so now I have two in writing and three verbal. I guess I have enough to work with. It's just interesting that contractors are so hard to get things in writing. I had a problem with a contract a few years ago, and because it wasn't in writing, they either forgot or didn't want to complete the job, and ended up leaving 5k because they didn't want to deal with an inspection.