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Ethical question - what should I pay

Dear All,

I'm looking after my late father's house which needs some walls etc plastered. We've obtained several quotes which have been on the hefty side. I'm contacted my Pastor for recommendations, who suggested two Eastern European men who have done some good work for the Church. They are charging 'substantially' less and have been happy to quote me for material costs and labour costs (£10 per hour(some sites state the average is £15-20 per hour)) and the amount of time a job (in this case a ceiling 4 hours (x 2 bods) should take, which the others haven't. I've decided to employee them for one job and see how they work and quality of the finish. However, what should I pay them - what they ask, or the average of the hefty three quotes I've received...? I feel that I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth, but don't want to feel that I'm exploiting them, OR may be I'm the fool here? I also realise that some UK born tradesmen may read this with dismay - sorry!
Thanks
Free thinker.:cool:
«1

Comments

  • why would you pay them more than they have asked for? :confused:

    If they do a good job they will get more work from you and possibly others you reccommend them to, then when they are in demand they will probably raise their prices anyway :D
    Wiggly:heartpulsFB

  • Mee
    Mee Posts: 1,514 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    why would you pay them more than they have asked for? :D

    I don't know - I somehow feel that I'm doing something wrong!
    If they do a good job they will get more work from you and possibly others you reccommend them to, then when they are in demand they will probably raise their prices anyway :D

    Good point! Thanks
    Free thinker.:cool:
  • Will they be paying the tax man from their earnings ?:confused:
  • probably not........ nice to see us UK tradies getting a look in
    hope the don't cause any damage, or brake anything would almost guarantee they don't have public liability insurance.
  • Mee wrote: »
    Dear All,

    I'm looking after my late father's house which needs some walls etc plastered. We've obtained several quotes which have been on the hefty side. I'm contacted my Pastor for recommendations, who suggested two Eastern European men who have done some good work for the Church. They are charging 'substantially' less and have been happy to quote me for material costs and labour costs (£10 per hour(some sites state the average is £15-20 per hour)) and the amount of time a job (in this case a ceiling 4 hours (x 2 bods) should take, which the others haven't. I've decided to employee them for one job and see how they work and quality of the finish. However, what should I pay them - what they ask, or the average of the hefty three quotes I've received...? I feel that I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth, but don't want to feel that I'm exploiting them, OR may be I'm the fool here? I also realise that some UK born tradesmen may read this with dismay - sorry!
    Thanks

    Good afternoon: Have them provide a written quote for the job (materials and labour). Don't pay them by the hour as the final cost could be much more than you expected: always agree a fixed price before the job starts. As john0612 says, do they have PLI?

    HTH

    Canucklehead
    Ask to see CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering)
  • Mee
    Mee Posts: 1,514 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Good afternoon: Have them provide a written quote for the job (materials and labour). Don't pay them by the hour as the final cost could be much more than you expected: always agree a fixed price before the job starts. As john0612 says, do they have PLI?

    HTH

    Canucklehead


    I've not checked PLI yet, I guess I assumed that my pastor had done so... Will need to do so.
    Free thinker.:cool:
  • They wont have a clue what you are talking about!
    OH THE JOYS OF BEING SELF-EMPLOYED!! Can Travel,Will Work For Free!
  • 1jim
    1jim Posts: 2,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Im not sure about what to pay but I have often found workers from eastern europe to be highly skilled and reliable in their work, a bit like what old fashioned uk tradesmen used to be like many years ok
  • Would you please do me and every other respectable, reliable and bonefide British builder a favour and hire a British tradesman. Thanks.
  • 1jim
    1jim Posts: 2,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    booty40uk wrote: »
    Would you please do me and every other respectable, reliable and bonefide British builder a favour and hire a British tradesman. Thanks.

    the problem often comes when you try and find a Respectable and Reliable British Tradesman. Dont mean you or the other tradesmen on here but I have lost count of the amount of times I have arranged to get a quote for the tradesmen not to come, have lost count of the number of times a tradesman has not given a quote as promised, and sadly have also lost count of the number of times that tradesmen have not turned up to do the job when promised.

    I now have a small "1jim" approved list of tradesmen that I only ever use and often dont bother getting several quotes
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