paint removal / damp / skimming walls? - lots to do and advice needed please

theLearner_3

shopaholicsan wrote:

Hi,
May I ask how you are managing to get Plasterers to come out and quote? I have constant problems with Plasterers and other tradesmen not turning up to do the quote and/or the work. I waste so much time waiting in, it's so frustrating. Where is the best place to find good plasterers - I've asked around but no-one I know has used any recently in my area - Manchester
Sorry I can't help with your initial post, just thought I'd ask while you were on the subject!

luckily i've not been let down by anyone yet, but everyone i've phoned so far has advertised in the local paper and i make it clear that if they can't make the appointment then please just ring or text me - of course, say you'll do the same if something happens and you've got to go out.

ideally you could do with a recommendation. i knocked on our neighbours doors but knowbody could help

good luck

Canucklehead

ormus wrote:

jobbing builders and tradesmen are not known for their literacy skills!
but they are great at counting money, plus thinking of a figure!

Good evening: Up to now I have ignored the 'throwaway comments' posted by a small minority of MSE members with regard to various trades. It is fortunate for MSE forums in general to have 'experts' provide advice, help people save some cash and steer them in the right direction in a number of areas. As it says on the label 'Please be nice to all moneysavers. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and even if you disagree courtesy helps'. (Source: Martin Lewis)

My apologies to the Learner for hijacking his thread.

Thanks.

Canucklehead

ormus

ok i will prefix with a "some" or "most" if it makes you happy.


but ask about, do a survey, and im sure my comments fully reflect the experience of most peeps with the building trade.
pretty much on a par with the garage trade by all accounts!
perhaps if those trades concentrated on cleaning up their act, instead of having a go at the consumer who voices an opinion, their reputation would be like the eg. nurses?

my own experience in the last 2 yrs/months/ last week! with just 3 corgi men, for example, is a pretty damning comment on the corgi system.
2 out of the 3, did appalling work. and one of the 2 was a BG man!
really gives you faith in the system eh?


ps.
you are quiet entitled to defend yourself, and maybe even your trade, as i am to speak out about such orgs as BG, D/G companies,, and plumbers who charge 3k and more, to fit a 600 quid boiler.

Melly31

Hi, where abouts in the country are you?
It's just that my other half (who is a qualified plasterer-but hasn't done it as a trade for 10yrs) is trying to get his own business up & running.
So he's looking for skimming jobs such as yours which he will do at cost (ie the cost of the plaster from B&Q-about £5 a bag) on the condition that you recommend him to anyone & everyone who needs a plasterer? (if you're happy with his work of course) He's got all the tools needed & a car (soon to be van).
That's it, there's no hidden catch, but i can guarentee his work-as i've had him do every room in the house, inc ceilings!
The only problem i will say he's got, is that he's still works as a welder during the week (mon-thurs 8am-4.15pm, fri 8am-12.15pm)-until his business gets off its feet, so he can only do it fri afternoon & the weekends, i'd say it'd only take him a day to skim over your room?
1 other slight problem is that he's a bit of a perfectionist, he inspects his own work & re-does the whole wall if he can see so much as 1 slight imperfection! So that 1 day may well turn into a day & a half?
But anyway, we live in Blackpool, Lancs, so if you're within say a 30mile radius PM me & he'll gladly do it for you.

Mel.

Canucklehead

Hello again ( and apologies to OP)...just to clarify...I am a Special Needs teacher (Autism) and sign my posts as Canucklehead but, as is the case with other couples on MSE, my husband uses this account to posts as well...he signs his posts as Corgi Guy and is a self employed plumbing and heating engineer (on the tools since 1974). I prefer not to generalise the behaviour of the few to the rest of a specific population or assume that my personal experiences are relevant or shared by others: respecting the right of all to voice opinions whether I agree with them or not is part of my job description as well as my culture....but with rights come responsibilities. 'Nough: said on that!:D

Getting back to the Learner's question i.e getting written quotes...if a potential customer asks my OH for a written quote he/she will be provided with a detailed one (muggins here usually types them). In the first instance the quote will be verbal i.e. the price and if the customer agrees to terms then the written quote will be provided....this saves time and paperwork!

He looked at a big job in the next town last month...I waited in the car for him and watched about 12 tradespersons file in and out of the building (neighbours must have thought the new owner was running a bordello;) The OH was in the property almost an hour measuring up for a 14 rad system, two bathrooms and having his brains picked by the owner...later found out that every reputable tradesperson in Planetthanet made an appearance over the course of 2 days. My OH spent several hours writing up a very detailed quote and sent it by email to the potential client...she called him a couple of days later and asked 'where's my quote'...apparently she hadn't kept track of who was who...haven't heard from her since.

Your best bet is to get names from friends, work colleagues, neighbours etc of reputable individuals/companies.

Good luck in your quest.

Canucklehead

Canucklehead

Dan: Have you had any joy with the quotes you were waiting on? Let us know how it pans out.

Canucklehead

theLearner_3

Canucklehead wrote: »

It is fortunate for MSE forums in general to have 'experts' provide advice, help people save some cash and steer them in the right direction in a number of areas

My apologies to the Learner for hijacking his thread.

Thanks.

Canucklehead

no apology needed - i agree

theLearner_3

Melly31 wrote: »

Hi, where abouts in the country are you?

But anyway, we live in Blackpool, Lancs, so if you're within say a 30mile radius PM me & he'll gladly do it for you.

Mel.

thanks for the amazingly kind offer but i live in swadlincote, derbyshire (DE11 area) Good luck with the start-up, i wish him every success :T

in my limited experience of tradesmen, someone who is honest, reliable and has a keen eye for detail should do well in my opinion - many thanks once again for the kind offer. if only we lived closer

theLearner_3

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hello again ( and apologies to OP)...just to clarify...I am a Special Needs teacher (Autism) and sign my posts as Canucklehead but, as is the case with other couples on MSE, my husband uses this account to posts as well...he signs his posts as Corgi Guy and is a self employed plumbing and heating engineer (on the tools since 1974). I prefer not to generalise the behaviour of the few to the rest of a specific population or assume that my personal experiences are relevant or shared by others: respecting the right of all to voice opinions whether I agree with them or not is part of my job description as well as my culture....but with rights come responsibilities. 'Nough: said on that!:D

Getting back to the Learner's question i.e getting written quotes...if a potential customer asks my OH for a written quote he/she will be provided with a detailed one (muggins here usually types them). In the first instance the quote will be verbal i.e. the price and if the customer agrees to terms then the written quote will be provided....this saves time and paperwork!

He looked at a big job in the next town last month...I waited in the car for him and watched about 12 tradespersons file in and out of the building (neighbours must have thought the new owner was running a bordello;) The OH was in the property almost an hour measuring up for a 14 rad system, two bathrooms and having his brains picked by the owner...later found out that every reputable tradesperson in Planetthanet made an appearance over the course of 2 days. My OH spent several hours writing up a very detailed quote and sent it by email to the potential client...she called him a couple of days later and asked 'where's my quote'...apparently she hadn't kept track of who was who...haven't heard from her since.

Your best bet is to get names from friends, work colleagues, neighbours etc of reputable individuals/companies.

Good luck in your quest.

Canucklehead

what an amazing job you have! My OH is also a teacher at a secondary school

I can see your point here. i suppose i'm a bit old fashioned as i've always been told to ask for a quote in writing before going ahead, but i've decided that if i get a good feeling / impression of a person and their advice, then i'm prepared to give them a chance.

neighbours, colleagues etc. haven't been very helpful to be honest.

i think if you ask someone for a quote (either verbally or written) then the very least you can do is take their name, number, quote, possible starting date etc. as what's the point otherwise?

thanks for your comments

dan

theLearner_3

Canucklehead wrote: »

Dan: Have you had any joy with the quotes you were waiting on? Let us know how it pans out.

Canucklehead

sorry for the slow update.......work work work at the moment.

i've got another plasterer coming round tomorrow evening, which will probably be my final quote. sounded excellent on the phone.

will let you know how it goes. i'm also looking to have the tiny room under the stairs skimmed as well but that's another small project - photos to add tomorrow

thanks