O.K. I’ll come clean right out of the gate. (made with 6 x 6s’ of course)
I am the Founder of The Contractors Site. A web-based platform designed to bridge the gap between Contractors, Labourers, Homeowners, and Building Product Suppliers. It’s a place where connections are made, and business thrives.
THE EARLY DAYS
For over 25 years, I toiled as a renovation contractor, often working solo. However, there were times when I desperately needed skilled help. The pool of skilled manpower was drying up quickly. If I was busy, so was everyone else. Back then, the options were limited, and my toolbox was light—both metaphorically and literally! I was new to the internet and the few online job boards that existed. In my search for help, I found a tile installer who assured me he was the best in the business. Hired him on the spot, thinking I’d struck gold. I eagerly anticipated transitioning into a Project Management role, guided by sheer enthusiasm.
I’m sure many of you have experienced that journey, only to be met with disappointment. My expectations were shattered when I ended up redoing poorly installed tiles myself.
To be fair, I did experience some limited (very limited) success in my quest for quality manpower, however, that was seldom the case.
LEARNING THE HARD WAY
To be fair, I did find some success, albeit very limited. As I grew older and the aches and pains set in, I wondered what could have been if I had reliable workers to help or even employ full-time. Reflecting on my experiences, I knew there had to be a better way. That’s why I founded The Contractors Site—to address the age-old challenge of finding and hiring quality Contractors and Construction Labourers.
The Evolution of Job Hunting
Internet – Information – Online Shopping – Jobs & Job Boards
Gone are the days of waiting for newspaper Help Wanted ads, weekly grocery flyers, or T.V. news broadcasts at 6 and 11 p.m. Today, we are inundated with information from all directions. The internet has revolutionized how we find jobs and connect with professionals. But with these advancements come new challenges.
The Quest for Quality and Authenticity
While technology has made it easier to find workers, it has also made it harder to find genuine, reliable professionals. The sophistication of online platforms can sometimes mask the true quality of a candidate. There are accusations and claims about unjust ratings on contractor profiles in well-known job sites. Some say reviews can be bundled and sold, artificially boosting rankings to generate more job leads. Others claim poor ratings are given by individuals who never received services.
An article published in Canadian Contractor.ca back in 2015 addressed these issues, with promises from major platforms to weed out fake reviews. However, the problem persists, creating a point of contention. Reviews are critical in our industry, where potential problems can escalate into significant financial and operational challenges.
OUR DUAL RATING SYSTEM
I believe that The Contractors Sites Dual Rating System may be the answer. I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with contractor ratings. Have you encountered these issues firsthand?
Please add your comments or experiences in the space provided below. Let's work together to create a more reliable and trustworthy platform for all.