Are there things NOT to do when trying to hire a tradesman?

TripleH

We had fitted cupboards installed.

They were modular (maybe a little trimming of widths internally) with edges hidden by moulding.

It may be easier to rip out and start again than faff around especially if what is present is an irregular size now.

Especially if you're after a uniform look.

Alternatively, depending on your competencies with tools, buy internal fittings for something like IKEA Pax and DIY?

Eldi_Dos

@Deleted_User, Could you post photo of cleared wardrobe from further back and include some measurements. You will get some advice on how you can improve it.

Do you have access to basic toolkit and some paint brushes.

Dozyt

Deleted_User said:

 Mistral001 said:

I see now why you cannot get a quote.  Joiners will go with what they know works and that means what they do when they have to start from scratch.   Basically you are asking them to modify somebody else's design or some manufacturer's design.  They can envisage a hotch potch of a finished job which you as customer will probably not be satisfied with.

Not too sure that I agree. It's just adding a couple shelves and a drawer rail. Hell, I could do the shelves, just will struggle making drawers that won't ended up looking a little wonky. 

I think I would agree with Mistral.

Something that always puts me off a potential customer are comments like "It's just adding a couple of shelves and a drawer, it wont take long".  Not that you would have said that of course.

[Deleted User]

Dozyt said:

Deleted_User said:

 Mistral001 said:

I see now why you cannot get a quote.  Joiners will go with what they know works and that means what they do when they have to start from scratch.   Basically you are asking them to modify somebody else's design or some manufacturer's design.  They can envisage a hotch potch of a finished job which you as customer will probably not be satisfied with.

Not too sure that I agree. It's just adding a couple shelves and a drawer rail. Hell, I could do the shelves, just will struggle making drawers that won't ended up looking a little wonky. 

I think I would agree with Mistral.

Something that always puts me off a potential customer are comments like "It's just adding a couple of shelves and a drawer, it wont take long".  Not that you would have said that of course.

But surely as a tradesman, you can at least give the customer some feedback in terms of length of time and cost? Especially if you come over to quote! I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong, I guess a lot of these people can afford to miss out on the work, but I am surprised just how many people have little interest or skill in building a pipeline.

I had one guy, who was the franchise owner and didn't even do the work himself, come over to quote me for artificial grass. Everyone else I spoke to didn't show up or left without giving a quote. This guy was friendly over the phone, said he only lived up the road and would happily come over to give me a quote; no worries if I did not plan to do it immediately. He came over, quoted, was very nice and left. Some other priorities came up so it wasn't until 9 months later I called him to do the work. £2,000 worth of business and all it cost him was 30 minutes of his time (he had other people do the work). A couple weeks later, my neighbour knocks and ask to see my garden as he was looking into artificial grass. Went with the same company and paid £6,000! Now that's £8k worth of business for a 30 minute visit.

The plumber I use, genuinely states "no job too big or small". I have plenty of small jobs that need doing and he says he'll message me when he's in the area. Changes a tap, fixes a leak etc. Now, we are getting a new boiler and re-doing our entire bathroom. That business goes to him.

Not saying I am the difference maker in these people's lives, far from it, but why is it so hard just to say "no" or "I'm too busy" or the job is too small. Same person who done a good job on my wardrobe, is the same person I want to use to change the bannister and carpet in my hallway, hang 6 doors, change the floor in my bedroom and build a summerhouse in my garden.  

fenwick458

I think the point they were making is tradesmen don't like to be told "it's just xxxx" "it'll only take xxx long"

you can put "just" in front of almost anything all you like, in reality it's not going to make it any quicker/simpler/cheaper

Martin_the_Unjust

It looks to be a potential nightmare of a job for very little profit.

I’m not surprised no one wants it.

mcplumb

They know its pointless doing the quote, the cost vs your expectation is never going to meet. They will be thinking if you can't/won't afford to replace entirely then the certainly won't pay what its worth to modify.

I get this all the time with bathroom jobs - we want a new bath, apparently a very simple job. Messing around trying to save tiles and making good, bang goes 2 days plus materials  " I can't understand how it can cost over a grand just for a new bath" etc. I don't even bother quoting as you just get a feel of whats a runner or not and normally right