Using a Tradesman from Facebook

[Deleted User]

Hi all

Just wanted to get your thoughts on the above. For months I've been looking for a carpenter to refurbish a couple wardrobes for me: new rails, panels, installing drawers and more. I use checkatrade and one other site, and each time I get the same response about no job being too small, send pictures to only not get a quote.

I decided to post on a local Facebook group/page (I hardly ever use it) and got a few responses. Most seem to be guys with Hotmail addresses and no Internet presence.

Should I stay clear of Facebook? Anyone have experience using it for tradesman? 

comeandgo

I would never use Facebook but I’m in the position to know lots of tradesmen and companies.  In the local Facebook pages here people ask for recommendations from others and hopefully you would get names of some who are genuine.  I would be very wary of using someone who contacts you. I don’t think internet presence is any guarantee of a decent workman.  I would ask to see some work the person has done previously and do not pay anything up front, not a penny.

rach_k

Did you ask people for recommendations, or did you ask for carpenters to get in touch?

The local mums group where I live is very good at providing recommendations, and you see the same people being suggested over and over again by different people who are known in the group so I think they're usually genuine rather than friends and family.  You might not have access to a mums group but you could try asking for recommendations from people who've had work done and been happy with it.    

Spies

Better to keep an eye out for trademan vans than use Facebook and potentially have the item ruined that you're trying to refurbish. 

plumb1_2

Deleted_User said:

Hi all


I decided to post on a local Facebook group/page (I hardly ever use it) and got a few responses. Most seem to be guys with Hotmail addresses and no Internet presence.

Should I stay clear of Facebook? Anyone have experience using it for tradesman? 

I don’t know how I’ve managed over 40 yrs, no Facebook and have a hotmail address, and never advertised. Word of mouth is my friend.
Ask your neighbours or work mates for recommendations.

FreeBear

Been trying to find a decent plasterer that can do a tricky job (stairwell & landing ceiling plus walls). After the mediocre job I had from a checkatrade type contractor, I opted to look on faceache. Found a youngish lad that was available within a few days, and his price was acceptable. He has done the ceiling and three walls, and should be coming back tomorrow to do the last one. Will pass judgement on the quality once it is all dry.

elsien

I’ve used FB for recommendations but it was people that I was then able to check out further. Only a mobile and no other contact details, it’s not happening. 

[Deleted User]

rach_k said:

Did you ask people for recommendations, or did you ask for carpenters to get in touch?

The local mums group where I live is very good at providing recommendations, and you see the same people being suggested over and over again by different people who are known in the group so I think they're usually genuine rather than friends and family.  You might not have access to a mums group but you could try asking for recommendations from people who've had work done and been happy with it.    

Asked for recommendations. A few people contacted direct to say they can do it, but with nothing to show they actually can. Just Facebook pictures of stupid memes and them getting drunk. 

Bendy_House

Hi Jackson.

I don't think there's anything wrong with using Facebook for such a thing per se, but I suspect it largely comes down to the group you ask on.

I also wonder if you need an actual 'carpenter'? It sounds like a good handyperson-type job to me. It also sounds a bit fiddly/open-ended - a bit bitsy, where half the time is spent sourcing parts. 'Carpenters' might not relish that sort of thing.

Would you like to post a photo of the work that needs doing so we can hopefully advise? And that could be a good thing to do on Fb too, so folk offering their services will have a very good idea what the job entails from the off.

You then use your judgement and diligence to shortlist the contenders - ie, ALSO check the profiles of the folk doing the RECOMMENDING - that's a biggie in my book. And, of course, don't be embarrassed to ask for photos of previous work, or references.

(I usually have a few freebies on Marketplace, as well as items for sale. For the former - and also if there's a few folk chasing the latter - I always have a look at their profiles. They never go to Mr Cynical-RW-Rant types, BoJo apologists, or Brexit supporters... )

NSG666

FreeBear said:

Been trying to find a decent plasterer that can do a tricky job (stairwell & landing ceiling plus walls). After the mediocre job I had from a checkatrade type contractor, I opted to look on faceache. Found a youngish lad that was available within a few days, and his price was acceptable. He has done the ceiling and three walls, and should be coming back tomorrow to do the last one. Will pass judgement on the quality once it is all dry.

Or better still when it's got a lick of paint on. I had a guy do some recently and I thought he'd done a great job until I painted it then realised he was no better than my usual half price guy who I'd have had to wait another two weeks for. I've come to the conclusion go cheap then spend the extra on filler and sand-paper!

NSG666

plumb1_2 said:

Deleted_User said:

Hi all


I decided to post on a local Facebook group/page (I hardly ever use it) and got a few responses. Most seem to be guys with Hotmail addresses and no Internet presence.

Should I stay clear of Facebook? Anyone have experience using it for tradesman? 

I don’t know how I’ve managed over 40 yrs, no Facebook and have a hotmail address, and never advertised. Word of mouth is my friend.
Ask your neighbours or work mates for recommendations.

You certainly cannot beat word of mouth and it's great when someone recommends you. At one time you asked a friend for recommendations, looked in the local classifieds or Yellow Pages. Then others started to get involved with the little magazines that get posted through your letter box then Checkmytool etc for online searches. If I were starting out again though and needed to get my name out there I'd use facebook as loads of people look on there and it needn't cost anything to advertise.

All that said I'm glad I'm out of it.