Do Tradesmen Actually Want The Work Anyway?

Leif

It does not sound expensive to me. If they do a good job, then it sounds like a bargain.

Going4TheDream

alhermette wrote: »

Most quotes that I have had recently are more than that. My local builders aharge £120 per day for labourers. I had a quote from a family firm for a painter and they wanted £175 per day! Whilst I think you are right, it is over the top, you may struggle to find people to work for less.

I notice that you are in London, pretty much any business that I know out my way doubles their rate if they are asked to work in London (but they would have to travel in).

Insurance, wages, employers Ni contributions, travel costs, van insurance , fuel, office running costs etc etc all have to be factored in. You are not just paying the painters wages!

Leif

Going4TheDream wrote: »

Insurance, wages, employers Ni contributions, travel costs, van insurance , fuel, office running costs etc etc all have to be factored in. You are not just paying the painters wages!

And then there's time and petrol spent visiting potential clients who do not hire the trade. Trades must spend a lot of time preparing quotes that do not come to anything. No doubt good trades with a good reputation get more work than they can do, but not all will be in that position, probably not that many.

C_Mababejive

Is it just 'tut Tradesfolk though...? i mean, i find shop assistants who couldnt give a toot about my business. There are plenty of others...Perhaps tut Tradesfolk are sick of being offered thruppence for a days work and being told well Bert Polski down the road can do it for x/y or z...

Ionkontrol

leveller2911 wrote: »

I'm off to see If I can get a start........;)

A mate of mine works there as a roofer.
Plumbers to the stars, thats what they are.

juliebunny

Thanks for the replies, it's helped to set my expectations at least. I'm not actually in London anymore, need to change my profile. I always use local traders now, as I believe in supporting small local businesses.

As for digging the holes and doing it myself, believe me I have seriously considered that, i'll give most things a try around the house, I enjoy DIY and have laid my own floors, decorating, putting up shelves etc! I would actually love to have a trade - much more useful than sitting in an office all day

greatgimpo

juliebunny wrote: »

I would actually love to have a trade - much more useful than sitting in an office all day

Don't tell me, you're on £30 a day!

new_home_owner_3

I fitted one myself and it is hard graft, a place by me in the midlands will fit 10 panels, gravel boards and concrete posts 495 pound fitted, which i thinks is a great price, i bought my fence panels and boards and they was very cheap. anyone looking get the birmingham mail they are in there every day

new_home_owner_3

100 pound a day is okay, i had a plumber out for a quote to refit a bathroom suite and tile it he wanted 500 pound. He said it would take 5 days. He was very useful he done all types of building work apart from roofs. he fitted a laminate floor for me aswell for 120 pound.

renovation_man

People just haven't got a clue what expenses us contractors have to fork out.

1500 sq ft unit £800 per month
cost of two vans £12000
van ins 1000
van tax 540
my tools for various disipline contracts in excess of £10000
Diesil where we are working at the moment £200 per week

As stated we get no holiday pay, no pension etc etc, unlike wage earners us self employed never switchoff and relax always looking for the next contract. Some jobs are not worth while and most people always want something extra for nothing. Its a hard game to be in.