Can’t hire plumber

[CRbear]

This is a plea for help. I am desperate for a plumber to do some work on my house- several jobs in fact as this has gone on so long. I cannot get anyone to even come and quote. They all say they will. Then they string me along for weeks by text/phone/email - “I definitely, maybe, should be able to come Tuesday” or whatever before disappearing. Surely whatever the problem is you just charge more to cover the fact it’s too big/small/complicated to be worth it? I can’t even get to that stage. I’d be willing to pay over the odds. What do you have to do?! I’ve tried recommendations, I’ve posted on mybuilder- no interest. Or ghosted. I’m truly desperate now.

Where are you?

I think this time of year they are extra busy. It's super annoying though, I have had that issue with Trades men many times.
What's the job?

Try posting on local facebook pages for recommendations or ask on the nextdoor app. Maybe tell them your willing to wait but to fit you in when they next have availability. We have a fencer coming in Jan. At first he said he was busy but I said that's fine we are prepared to wait and thenhe said Jan. We'll see if he actually turns up then!

It seems to be a complete pain getting any trades at the moment as they are all hugely busy. I think because everyone is spending their holiday money on home improvements. No advice I'm afraid, just need to ring around and chase.

Glad to know it’s not just me and good point about holiday money on other things.

I’m in Norfolk.

1 leaky radiator- think it needs a new valve, a leaky shower (into ceiling) needs taking out, and putting in properly (was installed wrong) and I’d like to get NEST installed but that can wait. Not even trying to get anyone for that. I know they’re probably not attractive jobs individually but together you’d think it was a day and worth their while? I’m happy to wait too but there’s such a reluctance to give me a date. I’ve been trying since September. I get the feeling they want to keep me on the back burner to slot in around “juicier” jobs but then forget about me.

If I have to wash my hair over the bath one more time

It may be that saying "it's a days work" and "it's a leaky valve" is getting their backs up? ... taking out a shower, sourcing a new one, going to get it, or / or re-fitting an old one, (which is possibly broken anyway etc, then getting involved in having to sort a new one, of find parts to repair that one is fiddly, and thankless .... and being told what the problem is "leaky valve" is probably going to annoy most trades. If you know what the problem is because your so clever, and can estimate how long it will take to repair, why don't you fix it yourself? .... AT NO POINT am I personally aiming this at you, I'm just relying as the wife of a tradesman what really gets on my DH nerves.... (and the trades he works with - and what they say (in private) about customers like you. Please, please do not take offence - but when you next ask for a plumber, don't guess what the problem is, (even if you 100% know!) snd don't estimate the time it will take ... drives them nuts. (But as a woman sounds perfectly sensible to me)... plumbers are generally busy though which won't help. Good luck!

Hi OP Had these issues previously in another part of the country. If they do not know or do not recognise a number left on an ansaphone they will either come up with excuses or ignore you. i am aware how frustrating it is. Try checkatrade.com, find a builder or ww.planningportal.co.uk/homepage/27/find_a_trade_profession. We are fortunate we have a very good local Facebook page that can easily find a tradesperson. Good luck

Sorry just realised you have tried find a builder without success. Try trusted traders

Local Facebook page. Be adamant in your post that they MUST be able to attend this week to take a look before posting their contact details.

I have plumbing coverage with the gas service. It sometimes seems an expensive way to do it but when you need a plumber it's convenient.

Agree with shouldbeworking. Saying it's a day's work makes them think you're trying to limit amount paid in a way e.g. minimising job b4 they get there and then they think you'll be difficult when they quote you for two.
Other than that, it's just busy. Husband's also a tradey and he's booked up to February. And working 6 day weeks at that.

Check if your address is covered by John Lewis's Home Sense.

If you are, you can book one of their plumbers on a specific day and am or pm.

You do pay a premium but at least they turn up!!! They also have electricians and carpenters etc etc.

Sorry its Home Solution not Home Sense.

Just to be clear- I haven’t said a word to the trades about how much work I think it is? I’ve said “I’ve got a leaking radiator” and I did get someone out to see the shower and they told me what the problem was. But they never got back to me with a date after much toing and froing. And I’ve since told other plumbers when speaking to them that “another plumber though it might be...”. I was just making the point that they’re not piddly jobs not worth their travel to me if you see what I mean. If I could do it, I would!

Ahhh .... problem solved ..... you said another plumber had already been out to look ,.. ..... Trades are funny buggers .... say to them "another plumber thought it might be ..." and they 99% of the time won't bother coming out to see you.
Why?
Here you go - this is how trades people think ....
"why didn't that first plumber fix it?"

• if the first one came and spent time looking at it, either a) the first plumber thought it was a ball ache job snd didn't fancy it. (So the second one naturally then thinks "well I don't want it either" OR b) the first one was happy to do it, gave you a price, but your now shopping for prices. So the second one doesn't want to waste his time being part of a quote comparison exercise. Either way, if the first guy didn't take or get the job, the second one doesn't want it ON THAT BASIS ALONE ..... first rule of fight club / getting a quote. NEVER, EVER say someone else has been out to look at the job. Never..... you need to wine, dine and romance them, tell them they are the only one. . .

Hahaha ok. Good tip. If I ever manage to get another one here I’ll play dumb to the problem and not mention any previous plumbers!