Had a client's tile guy ghost us right before a big kitchen demo

We were set to start a full kitchen remodel in a house over in the West End last month. The whole schedule was built around the tile work for the new backsplash and floor. The tile contractor, a guy I've used twice before with no issues, was supposed to show up Monday morning. Monday comes, nothing. No call, no text. I call him, straight to voicemail. By Tuesday afternoon, I'm scrambling. I had to tell the homeowners we had a delay, which felt awful. I ended up calling three other guys from my contacts before I found one who could fit us in, but it pushed the whole job back by a week. How do you guys handle it when a sub just disappears like that? Do you have a backup list ready to go?

3 comments

3 Comments

maxb461mo agoTop Commenter

Respectfully gotta disagree with @the_thomas. One week delays build character and test your patience.

grantl942mo ago

Man, that "scrambling" feeling is the worst. I keep a list on my phone of two backups for every single trade, plumbers, electricians, the whole deal. You gotta call the backup the same afternoon the first guy no-shows, don't wait. It still pushes the schedule, but at least you're not starting from zero.

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the_thomas2mo ago

Totally feel you on that. Had a tile guy ghost me last month right before a big bathroom reno. Pulled up my notes, called the second name, and he could start the next Monday. Still lost a week but saved my whole timeline. Honestly, keeping those backup numbers is the only way to stay sane.