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How often to chase builders for quote/reply/commitment? Getting really fed up now. :-(

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  • ChasingtheWelshdream
    ChasingtheWelshdream Posts: 938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 23 May 2021 at 8:15PM
    Doozergirl and ComicGeek From a professional point of view - is it post-lockdown catch-up? Brexit delays? People deciding to improve and not move? Not that there's much to be done, but I wonder what factors have caused the situation. Our original builder admitted he just can't get the men to help that he once would have and is struggling to keep up. I wonder where they go to - better pay? Choose the best/easier jobs? Leaving the industry all together? If so, why?

    I understand the hectic workload, I just can't get my head around the not wanting to book things in, even months in the future. Which would suit me fine, as long as I know it will be done in XXX months. And keep informed if it gets pushed back.

    We wanted some carpet priced up, and the shop is so busy they can't even come out to measure for 6 weeks and the fitters are booked solid 7 days a week. They were really apologetic, but I don't mind that because (a) I'd rather wait and give them the job, and (b) I have my place in the queue. Rather than just hoping someone might ring back.

    We are counting ourselves very lucky to have a reliable roofer and wouldn't trust anyone else! Shame he's not multi-trade :-D


    Ah well, at least it's not just me. ;-)
  • MovingForwards
    MovingForwards Posts: 17,149 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Apparently a neighbour has been trying since before lockdown to get trades in to do a full renovation on his flat, can't even get people to quote.

    Can your roofer recommend anyone? 
    Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.
  • benson1980
    benson1980 Posts: 842 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Have you had a bad experience with checkatrade? I have used it numerous times and not really had any issues. In fact the vast majority have done excellent jobs. Local recommendations, or from friends on the other hand, have gone very wrong indeed on more than one of occasion.

    What we now tend to do is search by distance on checkatrade on the basis that they will probably want the job for convenience, and this definitely seems to be working for us.
  • greyteam1959
    greyteam1959 Posts: 4,710 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The tradesmen are probably all heading off to all the building sites.
    Startling rates of pay,bonuses, pensions & guaranteed work.
    Who would want all the hassle, risk & stress of chasing £2000 /£5000 jobs ??
  • Can your roofer recommend anyone? 
    He has, (including our original builder) so I'm working down the list. 

    benson1980 said:
    Have you had a bad experience with checkatrade? I have used it numerous times and not really had any issues. In fact the vast majority have done excellent jobs. Local recommendations, or from friends on the other hand, have gone very wrong indeed on more than one of occasion.

    What we now tend to do is search by distance on checkatrade on the basis that they will probably want the job for convenience, and this definitely seems to be working for us.
    We did yes unfortunately, with a bathroom re-fit. Lots of good reviews, but everything leaked. Multiple times, including a push-fit joint coming completely detached and flooding the room below. He came out once to  'fix' it, and it happened again. He'd just pushed the thing back together. He didn't come back again. 

    Once bitten twice shy I think. Plus, there's not many local people on there (we are in the sticks). I haven't completely discounted it forever, but going by word of mouth from people we know first. 

    We'll get there - eventually :-) 
  • The tradesmen are probably all heading off to all the building sites.
    Startling rates of pay,bonuses, pensions & guaranteed work.
    Who would want all the hassle, risk & stress of chasing £2000 /£5000 jobs ??
    Interesting! And, makes sense - guaranteed work, regular (ish) hours, plenty of back-up. My friend is in social housing and complains it took 3 months for her new kitchen to be fitted. I was all '3 months?' That's amazing!'


  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,075 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Doozergirl and ComicGeek From a professional point of view - is it post-lockdown catch-up? Brexit delays? People deciding to improve and not move? Not that there's much to be done, but I wonder what factors have caused the situation. Our original builder admitted he just can't get the men to help that he once would have and is struggling to keep up. I wonder where they go to - better pay? Choose the best/easier jobs? Leaving the industry all together? If so, why?

    I understand the hectic workload, I just can't get my head around the not wanting to book things in, even months in the future. Which would suit me fine, as long as I know it will be done in XXX months. And keep informed if it gets pushed back.

    We wanted some carpet priced up, and the shop is so busy they can't even come out to measure for 6 weeks and the fitters are booked solid 7 days a week. They were really apologetic, but I don't mind that because (a) I'd rather wait and give them the job, and (b) I have my place in the queue. Rather than just hoping someone might ring back.

    We are counting ourselves very lucky to have a reliable roofer and wouldn't trust anyone else! Shame he's not multi-trade :-D


    Ah well, at least it's not just me. ;-)
    Covid delays, combined with an increase in people wanting to improve their homes, a massive global upturn in construction, HS2 and Brexit.  

    I think when the economy takes a downturn, governments start shifting cash into construction.   I'm no economist though.  These were unpredicted and so there's been no gearing up of manufacture to compensate, and in many cases quite the opposite.  

    Had a quote for aluminium bifolds go up by 25% in a matter of weeks, we've got a customer with no glass in another set of doors and a project mothballed for four months last year because of delays on windows.  There's a building site next door that has slowed right down.  Felt and batons have been on the house next door for over a month but I have a feeling they've run out of roof tiles.  Once one thing sells out, it knocks on to other choices and so supply chains are kicked out for months.  Concrete is a problem now for the entire year.  

    Jobs are taking us longer because we're having to change material and supplier choices and wait for staff.  Our own garden is unusable and I don't when we'll be able to sort it.  


    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • ChasingtheWelshdream
    ChasingtheWelshdream Posts: 938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 23 May 2021 at 9:34PM
    Wow, that’s really interesting. Especially the roof tile but. I don’t think we’ve got enough for the next phase of our re-roof in a few weeks. Think I’m going to contact our guy and check!


    I’ve also got a window company coming out to quote for French and bifold doors soon, so it will be interesting what their lead times are.  I’m in no hurry as I think we’ll need to save for a few more months for that though. But maybe get an order in sooner rather than later.
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 11,003 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Wow, that’s really interesting. Especially the roof tile but. I don’t think we’ve got enough for the next phase of our re-roof in a few weeks. Think I’m going to contact our guy and check!


    I’ve also got a window company coming out to quote for French and bifold doors soon, so it will be interesting what their lead times are.  I’m in no hurry as I think we’ll need to save for a few more months for that though. But maybe get an order in sooner rather than later.

    This week I've been quoted 10 weeks for windows
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  • ka7e
    ka7e Posts: 3,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    It's no good pouring money into construction without investing in the constructors. We're basically missing a generation or more of skilled tradesmen. British Gas, EDF and others have run good training programmes, but British building firms relied on European labour rather than training home-grown talent. Now we see the value in having a trade, maybe we'll encourage more people into vocational training.
    "Cheap", "Fast", "Right" -- pick two.
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