is nobody bothered anymore? (trades people / companies)
- Thread starter glenimp617
- Start date
Isn't that true for most jobs though?
I can do most jobs except for anything at height and gas related. However, it'll be a communist-free day in Russia before I get a tradesperson in to do a job that I can do; but - I may have the skills and knowledge I however sadly lack the time to do everything. So things just take time. I'll get round to it, the other half just doesn't need to remind me every six months.
Anyway, most tradepeople just don't do a job to the level that I would expect from myself and if they took as long as me I'd end up sacking them
.
Anyway, most tradepeople just don't do a job to the level that I would expect from myself and if they took as long as me I'd end up sacking them
.
My experience is that tradespeople are only interested in two types of jobs:
1) Massive jobs that involve a minimum of three people for a week, and make loads of money.
2) Small jobs that can be done in an hour or two on the way home from job type 1 above.
Anything that falls between those those two extremes is probably not worth thier effort, so you won't get anywhere. Example: I need an en-suite bathroom refurb. It's about three days work for two people. I've had failures to reply, failures to turn up to quote, and one guy who turned up, plucked a figure out of the air, and clearly wasn't interested but wouldn't say so. Which is the bit thjat bugs me: if the job's not one you want to do, then say so. Don't come up with a line of BS then not show up.
1) Massive jobs that involve a minimum of three people for a week, and make loads of money.
2) Small jobs that can be done in an hour or two on the way home from job type 1 above.
Anything that falls between those those two extremes is probably not worth thier effort, so you won't get anywhere. Example: I need an en-suite bathroom refurb. It's about three days work for two people. I've had failures to reply, failures to turn up to quote, and one guy who turned up, plucked a figure out of the air, and clearly wasn't interested but wouldn't say so. Which is the bit thjat bugs me: if the job's not one you want to do, then say so. Don't come up with a line of BS then not show up.
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I tried to get a bathroom fitted. I ended up getting paying for two guys from Bulgaria to spend a week in the UK.
It worked out cheaper and it turned out nice.
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Got £15k of roofing work that needs done, been trying since February to get it arranged. No replies, no shows or just going silent after saying we want to go ahead with a quote. I have tried every local roofing company now, probably going to end up doing the urgent stuff myself and not bother with the rest.
Same story with get a bathroom fitted and some carpentry work as well. On the plus side have an excuse to buy more tools.
Same story with get a bathroom fitted and some carpentry work as well. On the plus side have an excuse to buy more tools.
Soldato
- Joined
- 10 May 2004
- Posts
- 12,965
- Location
- Sunny Stafford
For me, finding tradespeople has been a problem since 2018, so it can't be COVID-related.
2018 and 2023 - tree surgeons - normally takes 3 or 4 different ones before I find one that doesn't ghost me.
2019 - landscaper (to build concrete foundation for a shed) - job was probably too small. 1st builder ghosted me and the 2nd one did respond but the response was 6 weeks after my query and I had already had a 3rd person complete it for me by then. So too little too late for the 2nd guy.
2022 - kitchen replacement - found a joiner in 2021 ok but the booking/start date got delayed twice due to a supply chain issue from the supplier (B&Q). Finally got given a definite date in early 2022. Once started, it all finished ok, albeit the project over-ran by 2 days.
2022 - electrician - the one that did work for me in 2015 did respond to me last year, but then I had to move the date because I had 4 eye operations. Then once I was ready and called for a new date, he ghosted me, so my electric work is still outstanding in 2023 as no one else has responded.
2022 - decorator - to sand down and re-paint my entire downstairs, so probably a big enough job for someone over a few days. 2 decorators ghosted me, and the 3rd one keeps pushing the date back and it's now 15 months that I've needed this paint job.
One problem I don't have is with plumbers. I have a local plumbing firm in Stafford called AR Plumbing & Gas and they've always been responsive and done work for me over the past 5 years. Boiler service can be booked a few days in advance and a new boiler that I needed last year was booked 2 weeks ahead. All radiators replaced recently + Google Nest system and new shower fitted.
Home insurance (Santander) is the other area I've not had a problem with. There was loft damage last year where water had come through the roof, through my loft, into my bedroom, wrecking the loft boards, bedroom wooden floor tiles, bedroom ceiling partially caved in and a bit more water leaking to downstairs in the kitchen. Needed bookings with a few different firms to assess the damage, test for asbestos, get some quotes, order supplies, pay £350 excess, then finally get the different tradespeople booked in, a timely schedule printed on A4 paper. Also, they did more than just the repairs as a bedroom re-paint was also in my claim which I didn't expect or ask for, so that was the kicker for me
I was able to choose the paint colour and the new wooden flooring tile design. I now need my downstairs re-painted lol
2018 and 2023 - tree surgeons - normally takes 3 or 4 different ones before I find one that doesn't ghost me.
2019 - landscaper (to build concrete foundation for a shed) - job was probably too small. 1st builder ghosted me and the 2nd one did respond but the response was 6 weeks after my query and I had already had a 3rd person complete it for me by then. So too little too late for the 2nd guy.
2022 - kitchen replacement - found a joiner in 2021 ok but the booking/start date got delayed twice due to a supply chain issue from the supplier (B&Q). Finally got given a definite date in early 2022. Once started, it all finished ok, albeit the project over-ran by 2 days.
2022 - electrician - the one that did work for me in 2015 did respond to me last year, but then I had to move the date because I had 4 eye operations. Then once I was ready and called for a new date, he ghosted me, so my electric work is still outstanding in 2023 as no one else has responded.
2022 - decorator - to sand down and re-paint my entire downstairs, so probably a big enough job for someone over a few days. 2 decorators ghosted me, and the 3rd one keeps pushing the date back and it's now 15 months that I've needed this paint job.
One problem I don't have is with plumbers. I have a local plumbing firm in Stafford called AR Plumbing & Gas and they've always been responsive and done work for me over the past 5 years. Boiler service can be booked a few days in advance and a new boiler that I needed last year was booked 2 weeks ahead. All radiators replaced recently + Google Nest system and new shower fitted.
Home insurance (Santander) is the other area I've not had a problem with. There was loft damage last year where water had come through the roof, through my loft, into my bedroom, wrecking the loft boards, bedroom wooden floor tiles, bedroom ceiling partially caved in and a bit more water leaking to downstairs in the kitchen. Needed bookings with a few different firms to assess the damage, test for asbestos, get some quotes, order supplies, pay £350 excess, then finally get the different tradespeople booked in, a timely schedule printed on A4 paper. Also, they did more than just the repairs as a bedroom re-paint was also in my claim which I didn't expect or ask for, so that was the kicker for me
I was able to choose the paint colour and the new wooden flooring tile design. I now need my downstairs re-painted lolThey told me in school not to go into a trade as it was dead money
Money = Trade + Pressing the answer button on your phone
Early 80's kid? I was told the same thing....
Insurance jobs are free money.
Last time I was involved my mum asked me to sort her kitchen ceiling insurance claim by getting 3 quotes.
1st guy I managed to get through to said let he write 1 real and 2 fake quotes and he could start in 3 days....
I was so surprised to get anyone to start work so soon I completely agreed.
The job turned out really good and the finish was 100x better than the old artex ceiling
It's no better in Sweden either we phoned 6 companies for a full house rewire and 2 replied interested and only 1 did a real quote.... So we literally had no choice but to take it, they didn't even finish the full job but I was so fed up having lazy arse, 4h work day part time Swedish style workers coming and going I said they could leave some of the cosmetics and light fittings tome....
The joys of fixed rate contract... Thank god, the amount of unseen issues that cropped up that they honoured not in the contract.
I doubt they'll ever work for us again
Last time I was involved my mum asked me to sort her kitchen ceiling insurance claim by getting 3 quotes.
1st guy I managed to get through to said let he write 1 real and 2 fake quotes and he could start in 3 days....
I was so surprised to get anyone to start work so soon I completely agreed.
The job turned out really good and the finish was 100x better than the old artex ceiling
It's no better in Sweden either we phoned 6 companies for a full house rewire and 2 replied interested and only 1 did a real quote.... So we literally had no choice but to take it, they didn't even finish the full job but I was so fed up having lazy arse, 4h work day part time Swedish style workers coming and going I said they could leave some of the cosmetics and light fittings tome....
The joys of fixed rate contract... Thank god, the amount of unseen issues that cropped up that they honoured not in the contract.
I doubt they'll ever work for us again
Same when I was at school too.
Nvq btec or vocational training was seen as the absolute worst thing you could do and.literally only the thick kids did it.
Such a stupid attitude to have and it was pushed on me by my teachers.
I keep prattling on about Sverige but their education approach is so much more focused on practicality.
Lots of emphasis on so many industrial and practical lines of work like plumbing, painters, electric installation, large vehicle and machine operators and mechanics, which all the kool kids do.
They have quotas and estimates of how many workers they predict will be needed, it's smart and a bit forward thinking, bit Communist
Then just fill the gaps with eastern Europeans and Somalian bus and taxi drivers.
Ez win
Nvq btec or vocational training was seen as the absolute worst thing you could do and.literally only the thick kids did it.
Such a stupid attitude to have and it was pushed on me by my teachers.
I keep prattling on about Sverige but their education approach is so much more focused on practicality.
Lots of emphasis on so many industrial and practical lines of work like plumbing, painters, electric installation, large vehicle and machine operators and mechanics, which all the kool kids do.
They have quotas and estimates of how many workers they predict will be needed, it's smart and a bit forward thinking, bit Communist
Then just fill the gaps with eastern Europeans and Somalian bus and taxi drivers.
Ez win
I feel very thankful that over the last 18 months in our first ever home we’ve managed to navigate pretty heavy renovations (loft conversion, ground floor walls down, new bathrooms, kitchen, redecorating ongoing) without too many of these issues. We definitely chose well on the builder. Obviously we had a few quotes, with the amount of building work itself, I guess it wasn’t a small job.
Had a few hiccups like the family bathroom getting ripped out on October and still not done. Also couldn’t get anyone to make good the kitchen flooring (where walls came out) so we did it ourselves.
Everyone talking about going into the trades like it’s an easy 9-5 though. The crew our builder has - well two of them are my age but look about 15 years older (I was genuinely shocked when one of them told me). Crazy early starts, crap food, probably not enough hydration (honestly how do they only go to the loo once a day?
), Saturday work, breathing dust etc all day. And that’s not to mention the hard work itself. Over the time we’ve had work done, one of the builders, the plumber and the carpenter have all been off injured.
I couldn’t do it, and to be honest I wouldn’t want to either. So fair enough if they’re all doing well for themselves
Had a few hiccups like the family bathroom getting ripped out on October and still not done. Also couldn’t get anyone to make good the kitchen flooring (where walls came out) so we did it ourselves.
Everyone talking about going into the trades like it’s an easy 9-5 though. The crew our builder has - well two of them are my age but look about 15 years older (I was genuinely shocked when one of them told me). Crazy early starts, crap food, probably not enough hydration (honestly how do they only go to the loo once a day?
), Saturday work, breathing dust etc all day. And that’s not to mention the hard work itself. Over the time we’ve had work done, one of the builders, the plumber and the carpenter have all been off injured. I couldn’t do it, and to be honest I wouldn’t want to either. So fair enough if they’re all doing well for themselves
Caporegime
- Joined
- 7 Apr 2008
- Posts
- 25,076
- Location
- Lorville - Hurston
It's **** easy to get someone in in my area (London)..I've been saving up for ages to renovate our house and finding it so difficult to find trades people, and even the bigger companies don't seem bothered.
These last few weeks I've....
Contacted four painters and decorators, they reply saying they will come to quote then go silent
Had two companies out to quote for bathroom and ensuite replacements, not heard anything in over a month
Local window company came to quote for new patio doors, not heard anything back
Contacted two local companies who install aircon, nothing
I'm starting to think it's me
I think it's area dependant
Soldato
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2014
- Posts
- 7,961
- Location
- The Cronx
Hey - don’t know where you are in Surrey (Purley here) but we recently used SOS roofing and they started within 3 days of quote and apart from the scaffolding “parking” at the end they were great.
SOS Roofing
www.sos-roofers.co.uk
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Caporegime
- Joined
- 7 Apr 2008
- Posts
- 25,076
- Location
- Lorville - Hurston
I had my roof done last Dec. Took 4 months and two different roofers to do it lmao
I am a carpenter and sub contract as it means I don't have to find my own work. Over the years I have noticed that less and less young people are coming into the trades in general, it doesn't matter if it's carpentry, plumbing, wet trades or electricians, there just are very little bodies to fill the roles.
There are certain turn offs that the "you tube streamer" generation just dont like. Working in all weathers in all temperatures, it's especially bad in the winter. Heavy work that involves lifting materials in awkward areas at awkward angles daily. The pay when you are on an apprenticeship is very low and you have to put in a large amount of effort for years before you are able to charge larger amounts.
If you are self employed you have to be very self motivated and work isn't just manual during the day, you spend a huge amount of time staying up late doing quotes and sorting out invoices. You also have clients to deal with. People want to pay for someone to do it which is fine but you never get someone that sticks to the plan from the beginning, people change their minds all the time which is fine but this adds cost and extras to the bill.
All in all to be a really good tradesman you have to be good with your hands, have an excellent work attitude, get your paperwork done and have excellent communication skills.
This is not an easy bill to fit I can assure you and that makes good trades people rare which is why in turn you see them driving around in decent cars.
I am earning the best money I've ever earned in my life right now but to be frank I deserve it and I'm not sorry about it at all.
You do get pretenders out there but when times get tough for the building trade again, which it inevitably will, those trades people will fade off into the background.
There are certain turn offs that the "you tube streamer" generation just dont like. Working in all weathers in all temperatures, it's especially bad in the winter. Heavy work that involves lifting materials in awkward areas at awkward angles daily. The pay when you are on an apprenticeship is very low and you have to put in a large amount of effort for years before you are able to charge larger amounts.
If you are self employed you have to be very self motivated and work isn't just manual during the day, you spend a huge amount of time staying up late doing quotes and sorting out invoices. You also have clients to deal with. People want to pay for someone to do it which is fine but you never get someone that sticks to the plan from the beginning, people change their minds all the time which is fine but this adds cost and extras to the bill.
All in all to be a really good tradesman you have to be good with your hands, have an excellent work attitude, get your paperwork done and have excellent communication skills.
This is not an easy bill to fit I can assure you and that makes good trades people rare which is why in turn you see them driving around in decent cars.
I am earning the best money I've ever earned in my life right now but to be frank I deserve it and I'm not sorry about it at all.
You do get pretenders out there but when times get tough for the building trade again, which it inevitably will, those trades people will fade off into the background.
The current generation get out of collage/uni (often with a useless degree) with no real skills or experience and expect to be welcomed in to a £50+ cozy office job. Then give up when that doesn't happen.
Where as with trades most start in their teens and work their way up. It's less appealing. So now there is a shortage of trademen.
Where as with trades most start in their teens and work their way up. It's less appealing. So now there is a shortage of trademen.
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I'm totally fed up chasing absolutely everyone nowadays whether it's tradesmen of other businesses. Look
Considering doing an evening course in basic plumbing over next winter as it's never anything that complex we need doing. Maybe electrics after that.
Considering doing an evening course in basic plumbing over next winter as it's never anything that complex we need doing. Maybe electrics after that.
Associate
- Joined
- 1 Mar 2004
- Posts
- 2,004
- Location
- Warwickshire
It's far easier to just do everything yourself. And these days, with the rates plumbers/electricians and charging hourly, unless you earn 6 figures+ it's probably cheaper using your own time, even if it takes you twice as long.
Even 6 figures isn't enough unless you're mortgage free! All of the mega builds around here are houses that were bought in 2007 era which is interesting. Kind of like as the world burns they are now living the dream having been the most burnt previously