Professionalism today

I have started keeping track of so-called professionals when it comes to small jobs around my house. I do my due-diligence in researching these people. After phoning and talking to a handful as to my expectations on a project, and of course the price, I then set the date and time. I nail them down firm--verbally. So when the date and time arrives, normally a week or wo in the future, no call no show. I have to call these people and ask "what happened?" After their lame excuses, they apologize, of course, then proceed to set a new time for later in the day, or perhaps in the future. After three times of such things happening, I give up on them and find someone else, who is usually slightly more expensive, but tends to show up. I guess when I first deal with these people, they give me such a low-ball price that they realize their mistake and try to opt out. Whatever, but all I know is that if you call someone to do a job at your house for any reason unless they are a top dollar licensed plumber or electrician, you will be left waiting and wondering . . . is it all worth it? Perhaps I should just shop around, make arrangements with the most expensive "professional" I can find, then take things from there?