Do you have trouble hiring tradesman?

stator

I am having the same problem as the OP although I haven't been using websites, I've been using google and yell reviews etc.

If someone isn't interested in the work I wish they would just say so. Ignoring someone is so petty and unprofessional.

C_Mababejive

stator wrote: »

Costa del Sol

Where have all the so called polish plumbers gone that we were told were so good, so hard working and so reliable? Answer, they were largely a media myth and those who did hire them did so because they were cheap. Most of them actually blagged it that they were qualified. I was speaking to a builder only last week who told me a homeowner had practically begged im to come and fix his house as he had had so called polish builders in on the cheap, they had aborted it, and he had had to fire them.


On the other side of the coin i know a couple who have waited all year for a certain builder to start their extension. hey knew at the start o the year it would start in october but were prepared to wait because he has that most valuable of assets,a great reputation for being competent and doing a great job.

Doozergirl

If you walk down any street in Central London at the moment, there seem to be at least three building sites on each one.

That's where all the tradespeople are. Working for larger companies.

Working small jobs for homeowners is a thankless task. No one wants to do it, especially when you can earn your day rate regularly subcontracting on long, ongoing jobs with virtually guaranteed payment from people you know.

One plasterer I know is a paramedic now. He got fed up trying to get paid for jobs he'd done.

tori.k

Don't discount the idea of a decent handyman.We found ourselves a decent general builder/ handyman from word of mouth, he is a true gift, as even when there has been jobs outside of his skill set, he's put us in touch with the right people to get a job done. I guess because he can vouch for us we've never found issue with getting jobs done professionally and quickly even if it's had to be done in an evening after normal working hours.

C_Mababejive

Doozergirl wrote: »

If you walk down any street in Central London at the moment, there seem to be at least three building sites on each one.

That's where all the tradespeople are. Working for larger companies.

Working small jobs for homeowners is a thankless task. No one wants to do it, especially when you can earn your day rate regularly subcontracting on long, ongoing jobs with virtually guaranteed payment from people you know.

One plasterer I know is a paramedic now. He got fed up trying to get paid for jobs he'd done.

This is troue. People get fed up with day to day punters/householders. They have been fed a media diet of carp from Dom Littlewood and the likes that paints the whole profession of home services as rip off bodgers. Everyone wants it tomorrow,they want it cheap and they want the best. After a while you just blank them and walk away. Let them go get it cheap.

owitemisermusa

david1951 wrote: »

I sympathise, but think you fell at the first hurdle. As soon as a tradesperson is rude or you get a bad feeling (before the job...), thank them and move on. You may never know why they didn't want the work but there is no point trying to find out. It will only get worse as the job progresses.

Competent consumers attract competent tradespeople. Be polite, promise to pay on time and offer tea & biscuits when they come round. Use recommendations and try to see examples before you go ahead.

I agree that it can be very difficult, especially for small jobs. Friends of friends are a good starting point here I think.

QFT!!!!!!
I'm regretting hiring a builder after the initial meeting was not exactly pleasant. Had an argument over my needs and I am wondering why I was so stupid in using him.
Lesson learned.

phill99

AbsoluteReturn wrote: »

We've started using PropertyHeads to find tradesmen. It's great because you can actually see the tradesmen reviewed by people you know. So no more worrying about fake reviews. Also I understand it's free for tradesmen which means they won't get upset about you getting more than one quote for your job. Booked a tiler that had been reviewed by one of our neighbours - very happy with the work done.

Oh stop this for Gods sake.
You have used the same cut and paste on 4 posts today. All are old posts that you are dragging up.
All reported as spam.

C_Mababejive

Good professional craftspersons do not need dubious trade websites to pimp them. They have full order books and clients waiting,,simples.

The other thing of course is that they are getting rarer. Why? Because so many younger people want a life driving a desk /bashing a laptop and think other such work is beneath them.

AndyMc.....

phill99 wrote: »

Oh stop this for Gods sake.
You have used the same cut and paste on 4 posts today. All are old posts that you are dragging up.
All reported as spam.

And on all four occasions you have quoted him so his posts remain.

robinwales

1. Go to an ATM and extract a wad of cash.
2. Call the tradesman to discuss and agree a price
3. Tell the tradesman you only ever pay by cash