How do you get builders/plumbers/electricians to call you back?

pinkpie

Am I the only one with this problem?

I leave messages, speak to their other halves but they just don't seem to return my call. There's only so many times you can call in a week without seeming to be a stalker lol

And we're not just talking random ones I want to quote, we're talking ones who have come round, spent an hour+ talking about the job, sent great quotes, who live locally and whose kids go to school with mine......

crox

It doesn't get any better after they quote and you offer them the work :-(. Mine was due to start on the 18th Sept, would have been nice for hum to call to say he might be starting on the 2nd Oct instead, could have saved a days holiday.

silvercar

totally agree. And the ones that were reliable suddenly disappear.

pinkpie

It just seems to be such hard work - I've found a builder I trust, comes recommended, great quote but now can't get hold of him to say go ahead.

Interest-Ed

How about dropping a note through the letterbox with a :

I'd rather have you do the work but ABC has given me a great quote and needs a response by Monday. etc. etc.

If still no response then he's obviously making a packet and can afford to let you slip through his fingers.

Would that we could all be so relaxed ....:rolleyes:

justpaper

if its a big job ur having done,. i guess the builders keeping it till hes got a gap,. if he was to do 4/5 small jobs over 2 weeks it might pay him the same as your job,. small jobs are better cuzs the money is in ur hand quicker if hes a good builder he should book u in and do the work when he said so,. and if a builder thinks he can keep u waiting then he simply will,. good idea too do what Interest-Ed said but make sure u got a back up plan,

what is the job that ur having done ??

Volcano

No, big jobs pay better, any builder would much prefer to do a single £2000 job than 10 at £200 apiece.

If you do have what a builder would class as a small job, then you are far more likely to have problems getting them to do it. Them ignoring you can be their way of hoping you'll go away.

The skills shortage in this country at the moment manifests itself like this; builders prioritise the most profitable jobs first (which are generally the big ones) at the expense of smaller jobs.

never_enough

I wish I knew the answer! Have had exactly the same problem myself. Even with my super helpful & much recommended roofer... I think his wife is going to take out a restraining order if I call him much more!!

robwend

took me ages to geta electrician, hes just round the corner to me, and getting hold of him is a nightmare, works doen now but still waiting for my part p certificate

lolly5648

pinkpie wrote:

Am I the only one with this problem?

I leave messages, speak to their other halves but they just don't seem to return my call. There's only so many times you can call in a week without seeming to be a stalker lol

And we're not just talking random ones I want to quote, we're talking ones who have come round, spent an hour+ talking about the job, sent great quotes, who live locally and whose kids go to school with mine......

No you are definitely not the only one - I could have written this post myself. I dont know what the answer is. Most of them dont ring back and if they do and give you a quote which you accept you never seem to hear again. I only contact ones who are recommended by friends but it is such hard work.

justpaper

Volcano wrote:

No, big jobs pay better, any builder would much prefer to do a single £2000 job than 10 at £200 apiece.

200£ worth of job is too small,. i know i would rather do a small job then a bigger one,. going for the bigger jobs would mean getting a labour force together thats going too tackle the job,. if u got a gang then there no problem but if its a solo builder wit 1 helper if needed then its just going too take time getting it already to start the work,.

this can go around in loops,. it just ready depends on what type of builder where taking about ,.