Need a joiner in Newry Area

leolion2177

Evening everyone - anyone know how much a reasonable joiner would charge?

Need a bit of work done in house , new skirting and architrave needs fitted in a 3 bedroom bungalow. Reckon there is 2-3 days work in it. Got a couple of prices of £500 - £600 , both saying there is a weeks work in it. That is an average of less that 2 rooms a day!!!

Thats £100 per day when most of the joiners in the country have no work?

If thats the going rate there isnt much I can do but anyone any advice?

Thanks in advance

Leo

mcac

Hi Leo,
I'm not entirely impartial and I don't live in N.I. but I'm hoping I can be a little help to you.

I've also presumed that you're supplying them with the skirts/archs. Sorry if I've misunderstood.

The price of a good tradesman is always an emotive subject (I'll come back to that), but I would say the key to you making a final decision is probably in that word 'good'. Are they? Did they come recommended by family/friends/associates? Do you feel you can trust them to respect your home? And have you seen any of their previous work?

If both chaps have said it's a weeks work, then maybe you've under- estimated it a little, and as you'll be on a fixed price it shouldn't make any difference to you financially. I'm famous for saying to my tradesmen 'I just need...'
And, of course, it always ends up being a bigger/longer job than I'd envisaged.

Now to your price...is this a VAT inclusive price? If so, approx. £100 of the tradesman's earnings are going towards this. If it isn't, you can still deduct tax, NI contributions. Then, if you factor in deisel, removal of rubbish and does your tradesman work with and pay a 'lad' (?) then you'll see the truer figure. If we're going to be ultra fair, there also needs to be a small allowance for glue/pins/caulk/filler etc.

Also, how long is 'a day' for your tradesman? Some I know work 12 + hours. If it's 6 hours then it's not looking as attractive price-wise.

Although I'm not familiar with Northern Ireland tradesmen, I do know several (good ones) where I live that are consistently busy. I know 'odd job men' that are technically unskilled who charge £100 per day for their services, but I wouldn't recommend you use one for your job.
I think it could be a false economy.

Be clear with exactly what you want from them from the offset. It's just my opinion, but a good joiner will fit, caulk gaps, fill all pinholes and sand the skirting, so your decorator can just walk in and begin painting/staining. Not everyone would agree, I'm sure.

Hope this has helped.