Handyman Refused to Provide References

[Shawn Dandridge]

I turned the 3rd bedroom into a loft area by having the builder remove the wall and doorway during initial construction. We will be moving so I want to convert it back into a bedroom. So I had a handyman that I found off a Craigslist ad come out to my house yesterday. He said all the right things, sounded like he knew what he was talking about and I got his quote this morning. 

I replied back that his quote was good, ect. and then I asked him for a couple of references. He responds back with this: 

"I'm sure your worried because of me being young. So if that's the issue that doesn't matter I'm a qualified carpenter and I do high quality work. I don't believe in having my past customers sell me in order to get the job. I understand if you Persue another guy that's fine. But I do hope it works out."

Granted the guy was kinda young, maybe early 20's. I could care less as long as he could do the job. I him back that this was standard when hiring someone new. I am waiting on a response. Could have been the easiest job he could have gotten hired for. I'm surprised that there are still people out there that won't give references. I've heard of it but never ran into it myself and I've hired many guys off Craigslist to do things for me.

[Russell Brazil]

@Shawn Dandridge I would move on.  At this point if he does provide you with references, they are likely to be fake ones.