11.   Contractors say the foreigners cost less than domestic workers and are far more flexible.

12.   Contractors say they are trying to get costs down to that level, but offer no guarantees it will be accomplished.

13.   Contractors say typical client woes fall into a few general categories.

14.   Contractors say that one client trick is not to pay the last third.

15.   Contractors say they are forced to increase the value of their tenders to cover long delays in government payment.

16.   Contractors say they want the validation of a city certification to protect them from lawsuits.

17.   Dealing with certain clients is enough to make a builder climb the walls, not plaster them, contractors say.

18.   For all this jostling for business, the military contractors said they were motivated in part by patriotism.

19.   I was considering covering the patio with irregular gray slate, but a contractor said slate would not hold up.

20.   Many minority contractors say they would get few contracts if minority goals were abandoned.