Are tradesmen really this unprofessional?

diystarter7

@chefman99

BTW. I recalled this as having a shower, lol.

Give the clown the benefit of the doubt if he tells you something like, "I have to wait for that to dry, etc, etc.

To all:

When getting a builder/etc

Seek several quotes id poss, inc VAT as so will add later its not right but best to be clear.
Seek start finsh times and dates - both sides need to be slightly flexible if genuine reason
Check their feedback, even good feedbacks with several no feedbacks, think twice but you do get awful/unreasoanblecustomers
Tell them, possibly show them the standard of work you expect. May seem odd but people have different standards.
Agree payments dates but not just dates but when x amount done.
Ideally, pay at the end but it is reasonable to pay for goods once on site.

If you are not happy with whats going on, discuss this beforehand and ask them if they would mind if they were not 100% happy with way something was being done

I always seek non smokers and I always ask who will be doing the works or overseeing ie the boss man to raise your concerns to

I hope the above helps those that read it.

At times, even being very reasoanble, understanding, holding back, you still get nasty builders just like you get nasty customers.


Just be honest, put yourself in their shoes and if things start going really bad call the cops but do not blame yourself.

Section62

diystarter7 said:

Just be honest, put yourself in their shoes and if things start going really bad call the cops but do not blame yourself.

The police don't mediate in disputes between customers and contractors.

They should only be called if the situation has progressed to the point where violence or physical threats etc have been used or made. Or where it is believed that other criminal activity is taking place.

Calling 999 to complain about a builder not working quickly enough is clearly inappropriate (for example).

There's nothing in the OP's posts to suggest any need whatsoever for police involvement, so it isn't clear why the suggestion of calling "the cops" has been made (twice).

davemorton

Section62 said:

diystarter7 said:

Just be honest, put yourself in their shoes and if things start going really bad call the cops but do not blame yourself.

The police don't mediate in disputes between customers and contractors.

They should only be called if the situation has progressed to the point where violence or physical threats etc have been used or made. Or where it is believed that other criminal activity is taking place.

Calling 999 to complain about a builder not working quickly enough is clearly inappropriate (for example).

There's nothing in the OP's posts to suggest any need whatsoever for police involvement, so it isn't clear why the suggestion of calling "the cops" has been made (twice).

 
https://loughton.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/cops-plumbing-ltd-25480146.html

FreeBear

diystarter7 said: I said call the cops if they make threats or you feel threatened.

If you have a mobile phone or other small recording device, set it to record, and pop it in a shirt pocket before engaging in any conversation. If things go downhill to the point where the police need to be called, you'll have some evidence to produce.

It may simply be a case that the OP's contractor has over extended himself and is struggling to do all the work he has taken on.

TELLIT01

koalakoala said:

I think it's par for the course nowadays in my experience. They take on too many jobs, not wanting to turn them down

I think that is very much the situation.  My brother-in-law seems to find it impossible to say 'No' so takes on far too much.  As a result each job takes far longer than it should because he's trying to do 2 or 3 jobs at a time and flits between them. 

diystarter7

Anyone hiring tradesman, read my tips, check their reviews, and if your project is big, go and see previous works.

Check they are insured just in case they level your property while doing the extension.

Get quote in writing and star/finish times/dates along with when payments to be made.

See if they have an office with a landline number and how long they have been around for,

Section62

diystarter7 said:

See if they have an office with a landline number and how long they have been around for,

If you limit yourself to traders with an office and a landline then you'll rule out most small traders who simply can't afford the luxury of renting an office and paying staff to pick up the phone.

What you will get will be a larger company who may well charge more for the job because they have additional overheads (such as running an office) that a smaller trader doesn't.

Having a landline is not an indicator of quality of workmanship or reliability.

DB1904

Section62 said:

diystarter7 said:

See if they have an office with a landline number and how long they have been around for,

If you limit yourself to traders with an office and a landline then you'll rule out most small traders who simply can't afford the luxury of renting an office and paying staff to pick up the phone.

What you will get will be a larger company who may well charge more for the job because they have additional overheads (such as running an office) that a smaller trader doesn't.

Having a landline is not an indicator of quality of workmanship or reliability.

Too true and appearing to have a landline number is not that same as having a landline you your premises. 

diystarter7

Section62 said:

diystarter7 said:

See if they have an office with a landline number and how long they have been around for,

If you limit yourself to traders with an office and a landline then you'll rule out most small traders who simply can't afford the luxury of renting an office and paying staff to pick up the phone.

What you will get will be a larger company who may well charge more for the job because they have additional overheads (such as running an office) that a smaller trader doesn't.

Having a landline is not an indicator of quality of workmanship or reliability.

Better than having no landline number and no office but yet again you quote me out of context as if the whole post is read it paints a different story.
Time for the first ignore button.

Section62

diystarter7 said:

Section62 said:

diystarter7 said:

See if they have an office with a landline number and how long they have been around for,

If you limit yourself to traders with an office and a landline then you'll rule out most small traders who simply can't afford the luxury of renting an office and paying staff to pick up the phone.

What you will get will be a larger company who may well charge more for the job because they have additional overheads (such as running an office) that a smaller trader doesn't.

Having a landline is not an indicator of quality of workmanship or reliability.

Better than having no landline number and no office but yet again you quote me out of context as if the whole post is read it paints a different story.
Time for the first ignore button.

The "different story" is that throughout this thread you've presented your "tips" as if they were immutable facts.

The reality is they aren't.  There are many errors and misconceptions in what you've said, but I chose to highlight the office and landline point only, because there is no point in addressing everything.  People can make their own minds up whether advice is good or bad when they see both sides.

Picking the right trader or contractor is difficult, and different approaches need to be taken in different situations. People with years of experience using traders and contractors still get it wrong from time to time - and it is just misleading people to imply if they 'follow these simple rules' that everything will be Ok.

For example.  If I needed an asbestos removal contractor I would be looking for a company with a 'landline' and an office.  I'd check on streetview to see what kind of premises the company is operating from. I'd look for information on the Companies House site to find out how long the company has been operating, if it regularly files on time, and who the directors are and what other companies they have been involved with.

On the other hand, if I wanted someone to skim a wall I'd be happy to call someone's mobile without worrying about whether they have an office.  The approach adopted needs to match the level of risk, and one of the hardest parts is knowing how to filter out irrelevant or misleading information - for example online reviews that have been posted by the trader and/or friends and family.

I haven't "misquoted" you - where I've quoted you the text is exactly as you posted (anyone can check this) and I don't believe I've quoted you "out of context".  You said "See if they have an office with a landline number" - I responded on that point, and you have now confirmed the context was correct by claiming (again, incorrectly) "Better than having no landline number and no office".

I'm not sure why you needed to announce your use of the "ignore" facility.  But I won't be doing the same.  I think it is really important that people using this forum can get good quality and accurate advice - the consequences of poor advice in building/construction etc can be extremely expensive, and in some cases life threatening.  If something is posted which is misleading or wrong I want to read it, and may respond - politely - explaining why the advice isn't as good as it could be.