To think we are cursed with awful trades people or is the behaviour just standard.

[SleepFreeZone]

Adding on extra charges at the end that havent been agreed.

Adding on extra charges at the end that can't be accounted for and when asked to provide receipts/invoices for these charges the trades person gets aggressive and pissy and gives bullshit excuses.

Gives a quote and allocates X amount of days. When job goes over the time they've allowed they pretty much walk off the job without completing some of the work.

These are just some examples from recent work from different tradespeople. These extra charges at the end are so frustrating and end up souring the job totally and we basically fall out with them over it. We can't seem to stop it happening no matter how many times we ask them to tell us before they do work over and above the quote so we can okay it.

Is this just standard behaviour or have we been really unlucky?

[Baffledonthisone]

A quote or an estimate?

[pandarific]

We had someone due to put in internal doors last weekend, didn't show, his 'partner had double booked himself'. Fine, we say - next weekend? I double check with him during the week he's 'done his ankle in and is in a and e' but will still be around, honest!

The doors are still awaiting their homes. Fucking tradesmen.

[pandarific]

Sorry - yes, absolutely standard behaviour from what I have experienced. A reliable tradesman is like gold dust.

[Oneiroi]

They are a total nightmare. So hard to find any that have pride in their work these days and are reliable, let alone who will speak to you politely.

[venys]

Yep many are like that - it sucks. We have given up and do most of the work ourselves but we only have an hour or two spare a week.

[HarryPottersMagicWand]

Not behaviour from our kitchen fitters who came recommeded and don't advertise, only work on word of mouth. Or house painter. But we got lucky and I have kept their numbers for future reference. We did have a bathroom fitter who got on my tits and was bloody useless.

[Nicketynac]

We had ours gutters replaced last week and have just discovered the old ones hidden behind the garage. Sigh.

[SleepFreeZone]

The last guy was seemingly a nice guy, he came recommended by another tradesman who had done a fab job. But sadly his work wasn't great, he kept doing half days, had a problem with part of the job that my DP ended up having to troubleshoot for him, he asked for a cash advance that we got for him then tried to screw us over later with this extra charge thing so that money would essentially be cancelled out. It's been exhausting and now there's just bad feeling all round.

We are having to have the kitchen refitted soon and I am totally dreading it. These people end up sort of infiltrating the family because I'm home all day with a toddler and baby and they all end up chit chatting. You make them drinks and listen to their family woes then they end up topping you off at the end. Somehow it feels personal!

[SleepFreeZone]

*ripping

[OllyBJolly]

I can beat all of you!

Had a bathroom fitter who said he could get the bathroom done before Christmas. Last week in November, took out the bath, sink and toilet. Came back in FEBRUARY to install the new one. Thankfully we had a downstairs shower room so just about managed.

Past few times I've used Rated People. Every time, the person turned up, did a great job at the price they quoted, and left everything clean and tidy. I think because the trades people pay to use it, and the customer leaves a grade and comment.

[DameVanillaSugar]

I share your pain. But I lived in Yorkshire and the tradesmen were fine. Then I moved south and down here they are complete c*s

[londonrach]

Sleep..sorry your autocorrect made me laugh...topping you off in the end.. 😝😲

[SleepFreeZone]

I feel like topping myself off after three weeks of this man pretty much living at the house 🙈

Rated people - I might check that site out. All I want is someone to come and quote for a job they are trained to do to a professional standard and to invoice us at the end the quoted price! I think some of them deliberately quote low to get the job then just load it later and think you won't mind.

[jobanana]

Always get a total price for the job rather than a day rate.

Ask for a detailed list of what's included.

Ask them to think if there's anything that might come up as extra.

As what hours they work. Should be 8-5.

Probably best if you get Poles or other nationalities. Brits in my experience will turn up early sometimes, but mostly around 9 or so, and will indeed go off for 4 hours to B and Q for materials, will have a lot of cups of tea, and will tell you their life story. Get guys who don't speak much English and then they can't do that ...

Seriously, though, you're better off with a total price for the job.

And just don't make them tea and talk to them. Go out. Go anywhere. Say you're ill. Deliberately don't talk to them. If they're on a day rate, it's crazy to sit and talk to them - they won't say no because they think you're tacitly ok with the waste of time, because you're doing it.

But as I say, don't get them on a day rate. They'll do it much quicker and be more motivated on a price. How hard they work/how quick they do it defines their profit.

Depending on the length of the job, give them some up front, some halfway, some at the end. Never ever give them the final payment until they've done it all. And if they say there are extras, just calmly check through what these are - if they are legitimately extra, just pay and don't complain - there's such a spectrum of what is extra and not, but you will usually know if it's fair or not.

[jobanana]

And yes of course some quote low to get the job. Always get three quotes. Always ask why if someone is distinctly cheaper. Or at least wonder why.

[Hillfarmer]

I always tell people this was what it was like all the time before the Poles and the Latvians and Lithuanians etc arrived. Decent plumbers, builders that turned up on time and tidied up after themselves... tradesmen not scratching their balls while they talked to you - they were as rare as hens teeth a few years ago. All that crap about people coming in and under-cutting British workers is bollocks - they actually came and did a decent job and didn't treat you as if they were doing a massive favour just turning up.

I do use tradespeople who are British and do a great job, but it is much easier getting a recommendation since the competition arrived from continental Europe. Brexit ay? Back to the good old days then. ' Ooh tricky job that darling! ' Can't wait.

[venys]

To be fair I do get good service if the job is quite defined and short eg 1-2 days. So I have good service from plumbers, roofers, some electricians etc. It's just many builders...Even if they do the job for the price they might not be good at it. And it has to be redone. Or you have to fix other things on the house they have broken. It's tough.