Tradespeople & poor communication

DD265

I'll start by saying I have limited experience of working with tradespeople as we've only owned our home for 19 months. Fairly early on we found a plumber, and not long afterwards an electrician. I'm the kind of person who's very loyal; if we like somebody and they've done a good job, I don't shop around after that.

However. Despite previously being very good, communication from both of them (particularly the electrician) has been terrible recently. I don't know what a virtual PA service costs but they both desperately need one! Or to make 15-30minutes an evening to communicate with clients... Maybe I'm underestimating how long booking people in/replying to messages/sending invoices can take?

At what point do you decide enough is enough? Do any of you use a different person each time based on availability, assuming they review well/come recommended?

ElephantBoy57

The problem is that we all use different methods of communication. For instance, would you be happy to be contacted via Facebook?

Had my boiler serviced a few years ago, I tried to contact him again after I receive an email from him.

But the email was one where you could not reply, it cuts down on spam email. I tried to find him on Facebook, as that is where I contacted him before, I could find him.

I booked someone else, they said they would come Mon or Tues, but never said which; didnt hear from him again. So I found another one, he turned up and did the job. But I would know how to find him again.

I dont generally ring sole traders mobile numbers, they may be working.

AskAsk

i find the same people may not be able to do the job every time so i have to find other people.  a tradesman can be very communicative if he is interested in the work, but you won't hear much from him or at all if he is not interested in the job, even for a past customer.

Murmansk

My experience over the years of various tradespeople is that they tend not to be very good at communication. This could be because they aren't very well organised, they have enough work, they're not bothered, they're too busy, they don't care or some combination of these. I suppose if you make a good living then there's no incentive to be any better at communication.

I set up as a handyman three years ago and make it part of my marketing that I turn up on time, communicate well and get back in touch if you contact me - many people have told me that they really appreciate these and I think it's just common courtesy.