Nightmare Tradesmen - Would an app help?

macman

Good tradespersons don't need to advertise, because they've always got bookings waiting.
The ones who haven't are not in demand for a reason.

Albermarle

macman said:

Good tradespersons don't need to advertise, because they've always got bookings waiting.
The ones who haven't are not in demand for a reason.

I do not disagree, but the prevailing economic situation also has a big effect, and as we have found out one off events like Covid/lockdowns also.

Their have been times when even good tradespeople have seen their work flow dry up, and times (like the last couple of years) when you struggle to find anybody at all. 

pennypincher64

I get you, but if they don't advertise it's hard to compare and contrast regardless. I'm just saying that's the problem within that scenario

provista_2

My husband is a bathroom fitter. A complete bathroom refit and full tiling would take him approximately 12 days as he does everything himself. £1000 would only get you 1 weeks work. As the old saying goes you pay peanuts,you get monkeys 
He doesn’t advertise and always has a waiting list. 

pennypincher64

That's good to know. He's doing great for himself then in that case ☺️ thanks for sharing. 

ComicGeek

pennypincher64 said:

Brie said:

Prices will also vary due to getting top quality or designer or value fittings.  And a good tradesperson will be able to advise if they are actually required.  The guy who worked on our bathroom (not a full job, just a shower) was able to point out what we could be reused, what would be practical for our requirements and also left his card saying should we need more work done to give him a shout.  I would in an instant as he saved us about 30% off the original quote.

Around here it's usually who you know and a lot of trades people don't actually advertise themselves at all (and I'm really not joking or exaggerating).

That's the same all over - the really good people never need to advertise, it's all word of mouth. Finding these people relies on patience and charm, and then you must work hard to keep them! Once you're on their 'good payer' list you will also get higher up the wait list next time.

We had to wait for our fantastic builder for 1 yr, but after a really successful project all round it's really easy now to get him to pop over for even small jobs.

pennypincher64

I just wanted to say thank you everyone. This helped. I got two tilers in to price the floor. They actually priced up what the last guy done and it came to £440 based on square meters over 4 days of work. They couldn't believe the state of the tiling and it's going to have to be redone. The guy who made a mess of it done good work with plumbing and delivering the goods so I paid him £600 rather than £1000 after discussing with him. Not a fun phone call but I explained it can't be left in the unfinished state it is in and it will need to be redone so we need to agree a new price. Thank you everyone.