Leaving tradesmen alone?

Ganga

Are they on a fixed price contract or paid by the hour,if the first i would not worry,if the second i would call in at random times to make sure you are getting what you paying for.

robatwork

I'd go back say 4 times a day.
A - to make coffee and biscuits
B - to check that they are doing what you want and expect.

They will have queries for example where to chase out the cable in the wall or position a socket, and if they know you'll be there regularly will be able to talk to you. Otherwise they will probably just make their own mind up on it.

IvyFlood

Ganga wrote: »

Are they on a fixed price contract or paid by the hour,if the first i would not worry,if the second i would call in at random times to make sure you are getting what you paying for.

Its a fixed price

IvyFlood

robatwork wrote: »

I'd go back say 4 times a day.
A - to make coffee and biscuits
B - to check that they are doing what you want and expect.

They will have queries for example where to chase out the cable in the wall or position a socket, and if they know you'll be there regularly will be able to talk to you. Otherwise they will probably just make their own mind up on it.

I was planning to leave them the kettle and cups! But yes that's a good point if they know I will be calling in it might be different. They have a colour coded floorplan of our house which shows new sockets we want, sockets removed and sockets relocated. They will have both our numbers and they know they can call us anytime.

Risteard

robatwork wrote: »

I'd go back say 4 times a day.

I can tell you right now that if you did that to me I'd get pretty angry about it pretty quickly...

trailingspouse

I would want to be 'around' as much as possible. Not because I didn't trust them with my valuables, and not because I didn't trust them to do a good job, but simply because things crop up. Decisions need to be made.



When we had the house re-wired, we did a full walk-through and decided where all the sockets etc would go - but when it came to actually doing the work, they couldn't put one of the sockets exactly where I wanted it - they could go 6 inches to the left, or 6 inches to the right, but not where I'd originally wanted it. A simple question to answer, because I was there, on the spot. If I hadn't been there, the sparks may have just put it where he thought best - but that might not have been where I would have put it. It sounds quite trivial - but I'm the one who would have to live with it if it wasn't quite right.


I wasn't breathing down their necks, I wasn't watching to make sure they were doing it right (I'm not an electrician, how would I know?), but I was available. I just found things to do in rooms that they weren't working in, and when I went out I told them when I would be back.

Mistral001

I would discuss this with your insurers. Also find out what insurance the builder has. If they do not have insurance that covers for damage done to the property when they are carrying out the work then you should consider taking out insurance yourself to cover just this particular contract.

robatwork

Risteard wrote: »

I can tell you right now that if you did that to me I'd get pretty angry about it pretty quickly...

You really wouldn't. Each time I come in it would be with
a) bacon butties
b) fish & chips
c) chocolate & biscuits
d) costa coffee
e) helpful not antagonistic attitude

It's all about building up a relationship with any tradesmen, and yes, generally they can be bribed with food & drink!

Undervalued

Risteard wrote: »

I can tell you right now that if you did that to me I'd get pretty angry about it pretty quickly...

In which case you wouldn't get any more work from me!

My house, my money, my choice!

Particularly with plumbers and electricians I'm afraid. Whilst I would be (reasonably) confident they would do the pipework or wiring satisfactorily I would want to keep a very careful eye on what damage they would do getting access and would certainly to prevent the standard bodge job of replacing floorboards etc.

I have seen it far too often!

Undervalued

robatwork wrote: »

You really wouldn't. Each time I come in it would be with
a) bacon butties
b) fish & chips
c) chocolate & biscuits
d) costa coffee
e) helpful not antagonistic attitude

It's all about building up a relationship with any tradesmen, and yes, generally they can be bribed with food & drink!

I agree and would certainly go to great lengths to be positive, helpful and non antagonistic but ultimately, if I am paying the piper I call the tune!