Finding trades to do the job

nirajn123

This is more of a rant than a post, but I really don't know how people go about finding tradesmen to do the job. I have really trouble in getting trades to come and have a look and provide quotes - especially in the last 3-4 years. When they do turn up, I get ghosted for the quote. This is in outer London (Zone 4).

Over the years I have either didn't do the job or done a DIY after waiting for someone to turn up -

1. Wood repair and repaint the porch - DIY

2. Garden landscaping/gravel - No one was interested, ended up using Gardners a few times to tidy up

3. Ceiling moulding repair - DIY

4. Minor electrical work - Ended up doing extra work just to get a electrician interested

5. Patio and Garden landscaping - same as #2

6. Replacing kitchen countertop - tried 3-4 times, no interest (there was one 0 review tradesperson who showed some interest, a google search with his name wasn't pretty so this was really just a re-registration with a different business name)

7. Loft hatch replacement - One person turned up to look but never provided a quote

8. Minor roof repair - one person turned up but then never came back I tried personal recommendations, and myBuilder/CheckaTrade, one or two interested tradesman only responded because they had no feedback/work to show for which I had to pass.

There are probably few examples I missed, and few instances when I found someone.

Does this sort of thing happens to you too?

How do you find tradesman to turn up to give estimate and do the work?

Anthony147

Definitely definitely definitely not just you.

At the moment and for a while there’s been more work than tradespeople available and it’s really showing in the behaviour / professionalism or otherwise that customers are getting.

One suggestion is that whilst out and about, if you see any work being done - take a gauge at how it’s being done and make a note of the contractors for use later.

Another suggestion is that the advice to get three quotes really doesn’t play out in such a tight market so research the job so you’re able to know if a quote seems reasonable for what it contains (materials roughly, how long, how many people / labourers, what specialised trades), do your due diligence on the contractor and if all good go ahead without other quotes - Work often costs more than people appreciate as very few jobs are done by an individual on their own and anyone on site needs paying for.

A final one is make sure terms of payment are nailed down, completely clear and that it works for you - The payment or not turning up risk should be on both sides and it’s a red flag for either side if they don’t understand or take into account the other. 

Example being contractor asking for a large deposit with the job not needing specialised materials, not explaining how materials will be dealt with or what will be complete or done for a stage payment to be due or a customer needs 10k of materials, two weeks of Labour but only prepared to pay anything on completion.

Good luck in your search but I’ll repeat the initial definitely not just you - btw Got a kitchen replacement, landscaping and longer term a loft and en-suite wanting but and it’s a big i’ll wait until I find a contractor I feel comfortable with, meets my expectations and most importantly is as much as I can determine a professional tradesperson in their outputs.

TELLIT01

As has been said, it's not just you having problems.  A friend wants a loft conversion done and has contacted several local companies.  Some haven't even bothered to respond, others have called and then failed to turn up to give a quote.  One did turn up to look at the job, promised a quote and never provided it.  I can only assume there is so much work available post Covid that they can be very choosy.  Our friend lives in a mid terrace and everything would have to be taken through the house so not the easiest of jobs.

donutandbeer

I had similar experiences even before covid. We are looking to have an rear extension done in the near future and I’m really dreading it. For plumber/electrician I asked for recommendations on Nextdoor app and our local facebook group, and my experiences are alright. Builders… not so much. 

greenface2

I am  member of a local trade hub , We sem to be able to work together . along side eah other and talk to each other . It seems to work ok and been a part of it for about 18 months . we have a shop that is staffed most days . in the town centre and people know where we are . All trades most of the time and the joiners will tell the plasterers and window fitters when things are needed , the plasterers will give the decorators the heads up to make time to do their bit . Brickies , gardeners . plumbers . sparks . roofers . all keeps the customer happy and in the loop but it saves them doing the difficult job of juggling trades . It works for us . If a trade is letting the rest down we have back up ready . All the trades are independent and can be too busy or overpriced for their part of the job . Keeps things competitive . 
10% of the price of each job is given back to fund the shop and the lad sorting the jobs .  

twopenny

That sounds brilliant Greenface. But my concern would be that the people you find are free in a few weeks are the ones that others have found wanting. But I would love to present my problem area and have people who have seen it  to decide if they want to sort it.

The affect of constant rejection. not turning up by trades is demoralising and does affect people who hope to have put their faith in them and been dismissed.

I've waiting 8hrs this week for 2 to turn up, each I understand they are busy but it's my time I'm hanging around waiting. I lost all my social life for thouse 2 days by waiting in.

Having met one at my house and explaining, I spent a few hours listing exactly what I wanted as requested by a tradesman and despite being ill researched and emailed - only no reply. He had found better work and I wasn't worth a dime.

Both my  jobs £3,000 to £6,000 isn't worth their time but to me it would mean pain relief and better health.

We're not talking fancy trimmings here but essentials.

MikeJXE

twopenny said:

That sounds brilliant Greenface. But my concern would be that the people you find are free in a few weeks are the ones that others have found wanting. But I would love to present my problem area and have people who have seen it  to decide if they want to sort it.

The affect of constant rejection. not turning up by trades is demoralising and does affect people who hope to have put their faith in them and been dismissed.

I've waiting 8hrs this week for 2 to turn up, each I understand they are busy but it's my time I'm hanging around waiting. I lost all my social life for thouse 2 days by waiting in.

Having met one at my house and explaining, I spent a few hours listing exactly what I wanted as requested by a tradesman and despite being ill researched and emailed - only no reply. He had found better work and I wasn't worth a dime.

Both my  jobs £3,000 to £6,000 isn't worth their time but to me it would mean pain relief and better health.

We're not talking fancy trimmings here but essentials.

Sadly thats a fact of life in 2023

macman

Many of the trades were staffed by East Europeans, and large numbers have returned home post-Brexit.
In the last 5 years or so  I've used a Hungarian painter, a Bulgarian bathroom fitter, and a Polish plumber. Only one of them is still working in the UK. 
The remaining contractors who are good and have a 'word of mouth' reputation as such can now be very picky about what work they take on. Inevitably, it's the smaller jobs that get discarded.

Cloth_of_Gold

This is a common problem. A few years ago we wanted to have our kitchen refurbished but tradesmen either did not respond to messages, gave ridiculous quotes or in one case gave a quote we accepted and then we never heard from them again. In the end, in desperation, I rang a local builders' merchant and they gave me the number of someone. He did the work to a good standard and at a reasonable, but not cheap, price. We are now on his books, so to speak, so he will come round and even do small jobs. If we want him to so something bigger he will also do it but normally needs several months' notice. If we didn't have him though we would be stuck.

plumb1_2

twopenny said:

That sounds brilliant Greenface. But my concern would be that the people you find are free in a few weeks are the ones that others have found wanting. 

That’s could not be the case, with group of tradesman, they might not have a full weeks work on, so could be free, mon/tue.  Or Thursday/fri. So they can drop on jobs. if they can’t do it the another my step in.
If a mate calls me up saying original plumber has fallen I’ll, over run on a job, and asking if I can do it, 50% of the time I would do it.. But I am in a position that I only work 2 or 3 days a week or may 4 half days. And I don’t take any work on more than 2 weeks in advance.
Lots of different ways tradesman run their business.

benson1980

It is irksome doing it but sometimes you need to chase up quotes with the contractors when they don’t get back to you.

When you chase, at least they know you are serious about getting the work done and that is quite often the only way I’ve got stuff done when needed.