OS Singlies - We Do It Our Way!

spirit

LavenderBees wrote: »

And on the subject of bloomin lax workmen of all kinds....there is clearly a gap in the market for a company, run and organised by women that makes sure workmen do what they say they will when they say they will.

It's hardly rocket science, is it?

Makes my blood boil! :mad:

There is one in my neck of the woods. She does painting/decorating. I've not used her services, but seen her ad in the local parish mag.

boddy

I've used a women only firm of decorators for years. They have always been on time and done a great job.

spirit

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

:T I am currently "project managing" my house renovation. Now, I'm not able to do the vast majority of the work involved, but that doesn't mean I cant read DIY books/websites and see how a job should be done. I don't have the physical strength to do much of the work involved or quite good enough health for some tasks...so I employ other people because they have that physical strength/full health. But I am perfectly capable of finding websites/books that tell me which order tasks should be done in and how long those tasks should take. Also, it's hardly rocket science to know that whatever job someone does, one of the first things necessary is that they turn up when promised to do the job.

In any sphere of life it's unacceptable to break arrangements and if it absolutely HAS to be done (ie because a GENUINE emergency has cropped-up) then the other person involved has to be contacted immediately that genuine emergency has come up in order to make a mutually acceptable alternative arrangement.

Also, there is no excuse for the lies I find I'm often told, ie when a firm comes out to check out a job and then never gives me my quote as to how much they will charge for it. Personally, if they've come to quote, then quote they must. If they don't want the job for some reason, then tell me what that reason is (eg "It's too difficult a job for me Mrs...I don't have the skills and/or equipment to do that"). If they don't want to give the reason, then at least provide me with a quote still...even if it's of the Grossly Inflated Variety. If I know a job should cost around £2,000 and one of my quotes for it is it £4,000 for the sake of argument, then I will take it that that is their way of saying "I don't want the job Mrs....so I've deliberately given you a Grossly Inflated Quote so you don't pick me". At least, that way, I can mentally write them off, rather than chasing and chasing them for the quote they have promised me "tomorrow".

If a job takes longer than the firm said, then its acceptable if its for a GENUINE reason (ie to do with something unexpected on my house or its an outside job and the weather is interfering with it), but not otherwise. One of the major jobs on my house to date took rather longer than stated (ie a couple of extra days), but I wasn't bothered, because the reason was to do with my house and the workmen explained to me "Your house SHOULD have been like so-and-so Mrs....but it wasn't...it was like thus instead".

Accepted that outside jobs can be genuinely delayed because of other peoples outside jobs having been delayed. Not accepted not to be consulted with about what is happening instead or just to be TOLD what they intend to do. Also not accepted for someone to put in an item to my house without having checked before they brought it round that its perfect (which then gets followed by they put it in anyway/I complain/they have to change it).

The trouble is that these builders #project manage# their own workload thus. It's normal for them to be running more than one job concurrently hence my post 'he who shouts the loudest'.

LavenderBees

boddy wrote: »

I've used a women only firm of decorators for years. They have always been on time and done a great job.

I'll be coming to you for their details at some point.....

pollyanna24

debtfreefuture - I'm from South Herts!

spirit

greenbee wrote: »

Now I think you've got to the root of the problem. How many people are actually drawing up contracts with all these trades?

If the tradesman doesn't have a contract (and you can ask them for a copy of their standard terms and conditions) then you need to find one (unless you have legal knowledge DON'T draw up your own) and request that they use this in conjunction with a detailed quote that sets out what they are going to supply/do and when.

Bear in mind that this might put some of them off though. In some cases you are going to have to work on a trust basis, so DO NOT pay up front (although it is fair enough to pay for materials on delivery IF they have split the quote into labour and materials - and make sure the materials also includes all the guarantee paperwork/instructions/invoices etc that you need), and always reserve say 10% for a week or so afterwards until you're happy that everything is working properly. But when they do a good job, pay promptly.

Do you remember that programme on daytime tv, last year i think. It was about people's bad experiences with builders and that big guy (presenter) used to go round to look and get his 'good guys' in to rectify the damage?

He was always banging on about the need to get contracts drawn up.

greenbee

spirit wrote: »

Do you remember that programme on daytime tv, last year i think. It was about people's bad experiences with builders and that big guy (presenter) used to go round to look and get his 'good guys' in to rectify the damage?

He was always banging on about the need to get contracts drawn up.

I don't have a TV But I read contracts for a living :cool:

pollyanna24

melanzana wrote: »

Evening all.

dont get too much time to post, but love reading all your adventures and dilemmas, which are just like my own!

For instance, last week the back drain backed up. Aaagh!

Can you just see it? I turned on the WM and within ten mins the back garden was like what Noah had to endure in his Ark.

Of course I thought it was next door....hmmmm. No, I lifted the cover on the drain, and yup, it was me!

Thankfully it was just the usual sink, bathroom blah blah, and NOT the sewage whew!

Anyhow, I couldn't hire a hubby, so I rang my local hardware shop, explained the situation, and was advised to buy a 4 inch plunging disc with steel tip and rods.

What?.... So I went round and bought. The guy ( hunk) in the shop told me what to do. It's easy gals....

Just attach the disc to the rod and plunge a few times. Voila. Blockage gone.

I feel sooooo wonderful having done it myself.

The guy in the shop said to ring him if I had any problems. That is local shop, and you can't beat it if lucky enough to have one nearby.

I am totally chuffed here gals!

I know exactly how you feel! My toilet was blocked last month and I managed to unblock it all by myself. Something I never would have done if my ex was still around.


Sorry my posts are a bit piecemeal, I'm still going through all the pages!

calicocat

LavenderBees wrote: »

I'll be coming to you for their details at some point.....

That's what I was thinking...


Years ago my dad told me to get out of nursing and become a plumber or electrician as I would make a fortune......I sometimes wish I had taken his advice now.

lostinrates

The electricity board sent a female electrician to do some changes to our board. Not only did she seem super efficient, she was lovely, mentioned she had the same sofa throw as me and stopped to cuddle the critters.

I wouldn't go so far as to request a woman, ( it really doesn't matter to me) I would request hER again given the chance, she was great.