Are tradesmen really this unprofessional?

stuart45

Having worked for a number of builders in the past I can see how difficult it can be for people to choose a firm. A company can change quick quickly in the building trade. 
An example is one I worked for had a really good reputation and did high quality work. When the boss retired his son took over and the company changed. The foreman left, the son took on a lot more work and a load of subbies and the standard of work dropped.

diystarter7

stuart45 said:

Having worked for a number of builders in the past I can see how difficult it can be for people to choose a firm. A company can change quick quickly in the building trade. 
An example is one I worked for had a really good reputation and did high quality work. When the boss retired his son took over and the company changed. The foreman left, the son took on a lot more work and a load of subbies and the standard of work dropped.

For sure. Good post. We used a floor layer one of our children used as he did an A1 job at his property the whole house.
At ours he appeared to be in a rush and one the phone all of the time i'm not sure what was going on. We were also having new skirting in the same area ie a hallway. I had to remind him to keep gaps. When he had gone we noted he used two damaged pieces of flooring and at certain angles of light they stick out like a sore thumb.

We had a roofer and a plumber, dad used them we used them, now they have retired they always did a good job and we can't find anyone even close to them.

diystarter7

FreeBear said:

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.

Thanks, but I was referring to the builder making threats or similar.

DB1904

diystarter7 said:

FreeBear said:

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.

Thanks, but I was referring to the builder making threats or similar.

Had he threatened the OP or similar?

diystarter7

DB1904 said:

diystarter7 said:

FreeBear said:

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.

Thanks, but I was referring to the builder making threats or similar.

Had he threatened the OP or similar?

As per my previous post, 100% advisory to OP

Section62

diystarter7 said:

DB1904 said:

diystarter7 said:

FreeBear said:

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.

Thanks, but I was referring to the builder making threats or similar.

Had he threatened the OP or similar?

As per my previous post, 100% advisory to OP

The OP said nothing which would indicate the trader has, or is likely to, make 'threats or similar'.

Even as general 'advice', highlighting the risk of threats (to the level where police involvement might be appropriate) is borderline scaremongering.  It is incredibly rare for the average customer to encounter a trader who might behave in that way.

Currently the OP has no reason to be concerned about 'threats or similar' that would require them to "call the cops".  They shouldn't allow this unfounded suggestion affect the way they deal with a trader who has probably simply taken on more work than they can currently handle.

DB1904

Section62 said:

diystarter7 said:

DB1904 said:

diystarter7 said:

FreeBear said:

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.

Thanks, but I was referring to the builder making threats or similar.

Had he threatened the OP or similar?

As per my previous post, 100% advisory to OP

The OP said nothing which would indicate the trader has, or is likely to, make 'threats or similar'.

Even as general 'advice', highlighting the risk of threats (to the level where police involvement might be appropriate) is borderline scaremongering.  It is incredibly rare for the average customer to encounter a trader who might behave in that way.

Currently the OP has no reason to be concerned about 'threats or similar' that would require them to "call the cops".  They shouldn't allow this unfounded suggestion affect the way they deal with a trader who has probably simply taken on more work than they can currently handle.

I'm glad I'm not the only one missing any evidence of a threat. 

Megaross

Bad tradesmen are. His work may be good but his working practices are apparently poor.

A good tradesman quotes you for the job, discusses at the start exactly what you're after and will give you an estimated completion date.

There may be times when they've got to dash off to do something elsewhere, especially if waiting for things to dry/ cure. But your job should be their main priority.

Best way to get a trade in is ask for recommendations from people.

If the guys disappearing constantly or running way over you need to have words

plumb1_2

Well I don’t know how I have managed over my time in the plumbing trade.
No landline, No internet reviews. Never advertised. Never take on more than 2 months work on.

thebullsback

Standard of workmanship is pretty poor in UK now