Tradesmen (plumbers handymen etc) and money

elver_man

aggypanthus wrote: »

Do you want the tradesman to work in his socks??:D
What if he drops a hammer or drill and breaks a toes, safety boots are worn for a reason.

I tend to be a bit old fashioned, when I initially turn up to look at interior jobs I always offer to take my shoes off at the door before entering. Even if it involves for example going into the loft, in this case i'd take shoes off at door and carry them through to the loft ladder, before putting them back on.

When working indoors, I tend to have a pair of shoes for inside which I keep in the room i'm working in and leave my main shoes at the front door. Obviously if I need to travel back and forth I always lay down a runner between where i'm working and the exterior door.

A bit over the top I know in some cases as the room you are working in can end up dirtier than the garden path but you'd be surprised how customers like the effort;)

As for payment, I don't advertise as the majority of my customers are on recommendations by previous customers or friends of friends so it can work both ways in that there is a degree of trust upfront. I wont take money upfront but on larger jobs we do agree a small weekly payment as we go along and all customers are happy with this. I accept Chq, Bacs or cash in that order and wont consider any card payment due to costs and inconvenience.

Tumtitums

elver_man wrote: »

I tend to be a bit old fashioned, when I initially turn up to look at interior jobs I always offer to take my shoes off at the door before entering. Even if it involves for example going into the loft, in this case i'd take shoes off at door and carry them through to the loft ladder, before putting them back on.

When working indoors, I tend to have a pair of shoes for inside which I keep in the room i'm working in and leave my main shoes at the front door. Obviously if I need to travel back and forth I always lay down a runner between where i'm working and the exterior door.

A bit over the top I know in some cases as the room you are working in can end up dirtier than the garden path but you'd be surprised how customers like the effort;)

As for payment, I don't advertise as the majority of my customers are on recommendations by previous customers or friends of friends so it can work both ways in that there is a degree of trust upfront. I wont take money upfront but on larger jobs we do agree a small weekly payment as we go along and all customers are happy with this. I accept Chq, Bacs or cash in that order and wont consider any card payment due to costs and inconvenience.

When a customer gets very similar quotes its little tiny things like this that make a difference. I had one guy turn up to quote in his fancy mercedes so i know that my home might not be as fancy as the tradesmens one but i appreciate it when people take the initiative and make the effort especially if its just for the quote

ceredigion

DRP wrote: »

The way I see it is that as a homeowner, you're not going anywhere so there is little risk for the tradesman.

don't you believe it as one local builder found out, 60K in all's good then the client drops dead ! . has all got to go through probate 5 months getting his money

aggypanthus

Elver man, good sense about the boots!

trailingspouse

I would just add - recommendations are fine if you actually know someone in the area! And even if you know people, they might not have had the same sort of work done as you have - or they may have a different idea of what makes a good trades person.

This is my 18th house!! When I moved in, I knew no-one (situation normal). So you have to go on your own gut instinct.

I've been lucky - found a plumber, a plasterer and an electrician that I'm really pleased with. Still looking for a decent painter/decorator.