It may be getting better here but 40 years ago what you describe was the norm. The other problem was a guy would show up, talk a good game, quote me a price and tell me how bad he wanted the work. Then he got in his truck and drove away, never to be seen again.
I decided it was easier to just do it myself.
Things were better when my wife was building houses and had dependable trades but I really just used her mason/concrete people.
I have trust issues with the electricians who you get. I also use better materials than the stuff I see installed.
