Builders, tradesmen ....not turning up, uncontactable ...Don't want it to happen again!

Section62

Okey00001 said:

I can see why Polish builders were seen as a "threat" by some, when I heard they had a good reputation, reasonable priced and completed the job for the Customer.  It seems that

You "heard", rather than experienced this?

In my area most of the "Polish builders" are indistinguishable in terms of reputation, cost, and reliability from those who've been in the UK all their life - having put down roots, established a work book etc etc they are in the same position as everyone else doing jobs over the long term.  Not wanting to let reliable long-term customers down, trying to  prioritise according to need, struggling with paperwork and increasing employment costs.

The "Polish builders" now see the Romanians as a "threat".... Romanian workers are still cheap compared to the Poles.  It's all relative - the issues are as Doozergirl says, expectations by clients have gone up, willingness to pay has gone down, costs have gone up, and almost universally parents don't want their children growing up to do a job which involves getting their hands dirty.

Throw in a global pandemic (and now a European war) and it is no surprise we are where we are.

ComicGeek

I don't answer my phone anymore at work unless it's a saved number of someone I know. So far this morning I have had 5 phone calls from random people who want me to quote for projects, and I normally get 10-15 every day now on top of emails - out of these I can probably only take on 1/2 each week, as I get most of my work from repeat business, so I really do pick and choose.

There's no way that I can speak to every person who phones, or respond to every email. I have work to do, I can't spend my day on the phone. That might seem rude to some, but it's the reality with all people in the construction industry at the moment.

I've currently dealing with one client who has decided that they want us to do lots more work on a project for them, but isn't prepared to wait a couple of weeks for me to fit it in. Apparently it's all my fault now, even though I haven't actually agreed to do the work yet. I'm not going to do it, I've decided to go on a well earned holiday instead with my family. I've had enough!

Okey00001

ComicGeek said:

I don't answer my phone anymore at work unless it's a saved number of someone I know. So far this morning I have had 5 phone calls from random people who want me to quote for projects, and I normally get 10-15 every day now on top of emails - out of these I can probably only take on 1/2 each week, as I get most of my work from repeat business, so I really do pick and choose.

There's no way that I can speak to every person who phones, or respond to every email. I have work to do, I can't spend my day on the phone. That might seem rude to some, but it's the reality with all people in the construction industry at the moment.

I've currently dealing with one client who has decided that they want us to do lots more work on a project for them, but isn't prepared to wait a couple of weeks for me to fit it in. Apparently it's all my fault now, even though I haven't actually agreed to do the work yet. I'm not going to do it, I've decided to go on a well earned holiday instead with my family. I've had enough!

I agree with you, clients can be difficult and it works both ways.  Clients can be unreasonable and demanding expecting builders to be always running around for them. I don't blame you.  I am sorry I sound so negative and not aiming at all builders.

For me, my post was about a small project, not too demanding, no  last  minute changes and I made sure builders had everything they needed, left them to it , gave them the door key.

 I guess I was too soft or just bad luck! They did a good job when they eventually finished!  I am sure there are many good builders around that won't mess you about.  You just get to hear of the 'bad' experiences and agree, it works both ways.

greenface2

builders can be unreliable but you don't need to keep on at them every 6 months