Everybody wants the cheapest quote??

inspect

I’ve been reading the odd post and I have noticed that most want to pay as little as possible for the labour of a tradesman. If you were buying a product such as a mobile phone or a car or sourcing a loan then it definitely pays to shop around for the cheapest quote on a specific product. Can the same apply to the skills of a tradesperson? I’m afraid not. The problem is that you are not comparing like for like, you may think you are but you are not. Cheapest is not necessarily the best and if you're paying cash and or avoiding regulations then you are your own worst enemy and dare I say deserve what you get. :eek:

nelly_2

Agreed in most part however I dissagree with the cash bit.

I try to insist on cash cos cheques are a a pain, taking them to the bank or posting them versus having cash ?/? well its no contest

Plus I tell my misses i earn £14 quid a day

AbbieCadabra

i don't mind paying a fair price for a quality job!

i'd rather pay a bit extra for someone with personal recommendations etc.

pay peanuts, you invariably get monkey's!

moo2moo

Not always true!

I employed a skilled tradesman complete with references. He came via a recommendation, gave a 10 year guarantee and is now in prison on a manslaughter charge folowing the death of one of his employees. Turns out he had no formal qualifications, no insurance but a very nice yellow pages ad.

We've subsequently had someone elseout to redo the same job and paid 50% of the orogianl charge

davsidipp

too true we never go for the cheapest but have been stung twice now by crappy workmanship by so called qualified people maybe we should have monkeys they might have done a better job.

trf1960

Inspect, not too sure if you are yourself a 'tradesman' but if not, you certainly seem to have a better grasp of the 'real world' than some !

No-one likes to be 'ripped off' but I hear and read of way too many who seem happy to shell out peanuts for the 'monkeys' only to complain to all and sundry afterwards about the shoddy workmanship and tar everyone else of that profession with the same brush. :rolleyes:

Moo2moo, unfortunately your story is becoming more and more common. You don't mention his particular trade. I only really know of the electrical and gas trades where you can actually ring a 'governing' body to check a tradesmen/company's credentials although I am sure others will clarify. And yes I appreciate that even that doesn't guarantee anything. Can we assume that you had the usual minimum three quotes etc. and not just take his word with 'references'? At least he got his just deserts in the end though although at what cost !