Decorators...........Do they want work?

unclebatman

Not exactly on the money saving theme, but hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

After a leak, and a roof repair, I've been looking for a painter/decorator to re-do my spare bedroom, and I thought it would be very easy, and all done by now.

I have called FOUR decorators, two on recommendation, and each time been promised a call back after explaining what I want doing. Not one has called.

I appreciate the job I want doing is only relatively small in the scheme of things, it's only an 8 foot square bedroom which I just want line papering as I've not yet decided on a colour scheme, but I thought someone would want the work.

Before anyone points out the obvious, I, my family, and friends are all hopeless at wallpapering, and I want it done well.

Anyone have any ideas ? I'm in the Manchester area.

misgrace

I'm sorry to read your having trouble getting someone to actually turn up, and I can understand your dilema, but its not just decorators that does this.

I am a decorator, but I live in greater london, if I lived near you, I would have bitten your hand off to get the job you are offering.
I love all aspects of decorating, and even though your describing your job as a small job, at least it sounds like a clean job, and I can assure you they are few and far between, so in all honesty I cannot understand why you have been let down by these decorators.
But for what its worth, as much as I am in the trade so to speak, I too have been sorely let down by other trades, but I do know they are genuine tradespeople around who do want to work.

It really does annoy me when I read posts like yours, not having a go at you, but the fact that you are having trouble getting someone, when there is people like me who are genuine tradespeople.
You only have to read some of the tradespeoples posts on here to see how genuine they are, the few plasterers that posts on here I would have no hesitation of employing, then there are the odd plumbers,(canucklehead who is the wife of a plumber, definately knows her stuff and gives great advice) tilers electrictions etc, and it does make my blood boil, wher there is work out there, and certain tradespeople lets the side down, and makes it bad for the genuine ones.

I really hope you get someone soon, like i said, if you had been more local to me, I would have taken your job on no problem.:D

john0612

some people don't touch insurance work and generally the lowest qoute gets the job.

I tend to throw in extras i.e do the woodwork for them etc.... insurance companys don't tend to let you include that, small things like that can "win" you some jobs.

As for your dilema, just keep asking or pop into your dulux decorating shop and ask for a good painter, they'll know the busy ones and should recommend you someone reliable too.

all the best

Woody69_2

I've had the same problem with getting 3 ceilings papered. I eventually got a couple of people round, one of them seemed really good and promised to ring the next day with a quote. A week on he hasn't rung so I went with the other one. I think I rang about 8 decorators and only managed to get 2 round. They all seem very busy.

Lil_Dee_2

unclebatman wrote: »

I have called FOUR decorators, two on recommendation, and each time been promised a call back after explaining what I want doing. Not one has called.

I appreciate the job I want doing is only relatively small in the scheme of things........but I thought someone would want the work.

Before anyone points out the obvious, I, my family, and friends are all hopeless at wallpapering, and I want it done well.

Anyone have any ideas ? I'm in the Manchester area.

I sooooooooo know how you feel !!!! I tried to find someone to come do some plastering for me (South Manchester) and I've ended up going for a friends brother, who isn't really a plasterer, but is a good DIYer.

Only one of the 5 'professional' people I rang bothered to ring me back. Unfortunatly, they didn't seem to be quite up to the job (I have a feeling creating the understairs cupboard was a little above their skill level) and I wasn't sure, so declined.

I just wish people would ring and politely say they're busy, as oppose to just ignoring you - it's just so DAMNED RUDE !!!!! :mad:

Sorry - I ranted, and don't have any names to give you for decorating either....apologies for that.

unclebatman

Thanks for your comments guys - Misgrace = I may well be sending you a train ticket at this rate my friend ! I think I'm just about to give up !

Just for the record, this isn't an insurance job as john0612 suggested, I had a leak after the ridiculous Manchester weather, and the roof was sorted by a friend of my dad who's in the trade. My dad, who's a plasterer (lil dee, if you're still struggling for one, pm me, he's the best in the business !) patched up the ceiling, and I just want the lining paper.

Called another one from the local paper - and waiting for his call back ! :mad: