I've had similar issues, but honestly, isn't it better to have someone who's overly thorough than someone who leaves you guessing? I once worked with a plumber who barely communicated at all—ended up with a surprise bill and no clue what he'd actually done. Maybe the trick is finding that sweet spot between detailed updates and respecting boundaries... Easier said than done, though.
"Maybe the trick is finding that sweet spot between detailed updates and respecting boundaries... Easier said than done, though."
Yeah, hitting that balance can be tricky for sure. I've had contractors who'd text me every hour with updates—appreciated the effort, but honestly it got overwhelming fast. Then again, silence isn't golden either, especially when you're footing the bill. Seems like communication style is almost as important as skill level sometimes... Hang in there, sounds like you're on the right track figuring out what works best for you.
Totally get what you're saying about communication style. Had a similar experience when renovating my place—one contractor would vanish for days, then suddenly flood me with overly technical updates. Eventually, I found it helpful to set clear expectations upfront about how often and detailed I wanted updates. It didn't solve everything, but it definitely smoothed things out. Sometimes just having that initial conversation can save a lot of headaches later on...
Had a similar issue when I built my deck last summer. The carpenter was great at his craft but terrible at keeping me in the loop. I'd hear nothing for days, then suddenly get bombarded with questions about wood treatments and fasteners that I had no clue about. Eventually, I just asked him to give me quick daily updates—nothing fancy, just a text or two. Made things way easier...though I still had to Google half the stuff he mentioned, lol.
I went through something similar when hiring someone to remodel my bathroom. The contractor was skilled and reasonably priced, but communication was definitely lacking. I'd get these sudden bursts of technical questions about grout types or plumbing fittings—things I didn't even realize I needed to consider. Eventually, I asked for a simple daily summary email outlining progress and upcoming decisions. It helped me budget my time (and money) better, though I still spent evenings researching tile sealants and waterproofing membranes...
