Any tips on how to get hold of tradesmen at the moment?

I_Love_comps

Try check a trade and face book 

twopenny

kazwookie, I do just that because then I can see their work often. And had some good results.

In my area there are a lot of people doing up their homes with the holiday money they can't use, so big and straightforward jobs are obviously the ones selected .

ginger_chocolate

Doozergirl said:

Teapot55 said:

Contacting trades via text initially often works well. Friday afternoon especially good as they’ll be planning their work for the coming week.

Brief message should include

the job you’re needing doing, eg ‘porch’
timescale, eg ‘by end July’ and approximate location eg ‘South Street’.

Also include at least your first name, eg ‘Fred B’, & your preferred method of contact, eg ‘text or email is fine’ 

I think I'd think that was a scam and ignore it 😬

In honesty, with the way things are, the carrot is going to be a much bigger job than a porch.    I might suggest that one of our subbies do it as a sideline weekend job for a friend, but it's not a big enough job for any 'firm'.  

So any tips on how I can find someone who might be interested in doing the work? Or should I just give it up as a bad job for a while and revisit once things have calmed down a bit? 

ginger_chocolate

I need a small bathroom doing out, an ensuite too, new kitchen worktops, paving relaying and fencing so I wait and wait for those who say they can. I've got to the point I'd accept a sky blue bath with pink spots if only someone would put one in.

I totally feel you there! I keep reading articles online about how to make sure you're not being ripped off, how to choose a good builder etc - and I'm just thinking "Seriously, if I could even get a mediocre over-priced builder that would be an improvement on my present situation!"

MalMonroe

kazwookie said:

Try walking around your local area or drive and 'spot the workman' doing the trade you want, photo their phone number off the van then ring them.

Ask for recommendations on FB

Talk to neighbours who have had work done and ask them who they used.

And just ignore the fact that there's still a deadly virus hanging over our heads?

MalMonroe

ginger_chocolate said:

So I am looking to get some work done on my house  (next step is the addition of a small porch as soon as possible, but I have other projects planned over the next few years). At the moment I have the money sitting in my bank account, and I have quite detailed plans for what I want. Yet I am finding it impossible to get hold of anyone to help me do the work. 
My first project was getting a garden fence replaced, I contacted six local companies (by both phone and email) and got a response from just one. I knew I was supposed to get three quotes before committing, but frankly with the rate of the response I couldn't see how that would be possible, so I just went with the only guy who responded to me (he did a great job but he was very young and his business quite new).
My next project is the porch - I have, over the past two months contacted fifteen local builders - I had a standard email response from one, saying he didn't have capacity to do the work at the moment. None of the others have picked up the phone or responded to messages/emails. 
Are builders really snowed under at the moment? Might this be because of Covid-19? Is there some secret to finding a tradesperson who might help you, or in getting them to respond? Or do I just continue with this scattergun approach until I've finally contacted all of the builders in the area then start again? Could it be because I'm a woman (I hope not, but it has crossed my mind!)? What am I missing?

You're missing nothing and it's certainly not because you're a woman. I'm a woman too and manage to get work done on my home. Under NORMAL circumstances. However, we are NOT living in normal times. Lots of tradespeople are still not up and running yet because they're scared of contracting Covid 19 and who can blame them? They aren't 'snowed under' at all. They're scared! You need to have a more sensible approach. None of your work is urgent. I've been needing my shower replacing for weeks (it's urgent to me!) but when I've done a trawl of tradespeople it's been the same answer, they'll put me on their list for when lockdown eases. In my city, lockdown eased and then more people died so we're having to go under lockdown again. You need to be patient. It's the disease, not your gender!

MalMonroe

henry24 said:

I was talking to a man who does coving and artexing and he has 31 people waiting for him so how many have popular trades 

I'm absolutely amazed that people are wanting coving and artex in this day and age. At one time artex contained asbestos and became a health hazard. At best it's ugly and at worst, dangerous. Can't believe he has 31 people waiting.  .  .  I just hope he makes them wait for longer, though. Until the virus has gone. But I'd never buy a house that had artex all over the place! That might just be me, I do understand.

ginger_chocolate

You need to have a more sensible approach. None of your work is urgent. I've been needing my shower replacing for weeks (it's urgent to me!) but when I've done a trawl of tradespeople it's been the same answer, they'll put me on their list for when lockdown eases

I would really love it if someone would answer a phonecall/email  and put me on a list for when lockdown eases. It's the fact that I'm met with complete radio silence that I'm finding frustrating and confusing. By "a more sensible approach" do you mean I should just stop trying to contact people altogether for a few months and try again maybe this time next year? 

henry24

MalMonroe said:

henry24 said:

I was talking to a man who does coving and artexing and he has 31 people waiting for him so how many have popular trades 

I'm absolutely amazed that people are wanting coving and artex in this day and age. At one time artex contained asbestos and became a health hazard. At best it's ugly and at worst, dangerous. Can't believe he has 31 people waiting.  .  .  I just hope he makes them wait for longer, though. Until the virus has gone. But I'd never buy a house that had artex all over the place! That might just be me, I do understand.

As far as I know he's never stopped working it's just been hard to get materials, you have to remember some people can't afford to stop working for a virus that affects less than a quarter percent of the population. I don't think people now have the artexing that was all swirls and patterns