How to deal with workers not showing up

[Darish D.]

In order to save money, I end up playing the role of the general contractor and hire people by referrals from others and through Craig's List. One of the guys doing my stucco work advertises in Craig's list all the time and is very experienced. He gave me a great deal for $4500 (3 coat stucco including material on a 1200 sq ft ranch home) Everything went well until he had to do the second coat. He stopped responding and finally a week later he texted me and started the 2nd coat. Now on the final coat he is playing the same game of not answering my calls or texts. I still owe him $1500 to finish the job so I know it isn't the lack of incentive. I used a friends phone today and 1 ring later he picks up. He was surprised it was me and told me he is busy and will come on Sat. How do you guys deal with this? I seem to always have this issue except for a few people I always work with, all these other guys I find never seem to answer their phones or respond to texts.