I want to start a thread in praise of my builders/decorators - I’ve never known builders like them!

[Wendyer]

They’ve been incredible. Not only have they brought their own mugs, glasses, spoons, tea, coffee, milk and kettle, they’ve also brought their own microwave.

They work all day long and drink their tea on the go, and then they sit down together in their little makeshift kitchen for their lunch for 30 mins exactly.

They’ve kept all their stuff in one place and made sure it’s returned there every evening. And they’ve cleaned up after themselves every evening.

And they change their shoes/clothes when they get here and when they leave!

I love them, they’re fab!

That’s brilliant

I’ve had decorators like that and always use them, female and male team

It is isn’t it? :). I’m already composing my glowing review for them on Check a Trade!

Well I did make cups of tea for mine but they were punctual, turned up every day without fail, hoovered with their own hoover and left the place very tidy every day. The build was on schedule, even when he went on holiday for a week, which I knew about, he had another brickie carry on the work. It was also on budget!

The plasterer didn't look like he was the one who actually did the plastering. His radio had no plaster splats on it, I watched him mix plaster, put it on the wall without getting any on the floor or himself. He also did the ceiling. I have never known a plasterer like it.

Sad that these are the rare ones rather than an industry standard.

We've got similar ones in ATM. They are a wonder. They listen to radio 4, sit down together in fold out chairs for a 30 minute lunch break and talk about all sorts. They're kind, funny, respectful and hard working. After nearly 2yrs of being let down just trying to get people to turn up, they're a dream.

They're also training an apprentice and they're bloody lovely with him. Patient, funny and clear.

I wish they were all like our current ones!

This is such a lovely thread!

We had our roof done a few weeks ago and they were fabulous.

They have a deliveroo account for their food and kept asking if I wanted a KFC for lunch!

Great thread OP.

We had kitchen fitters like that. They were great.

Mine have an apprentice too and are lovely with him! One of them changes into a boiler suit every day and, whereas I obviously have no idea what he’s wearing underneath, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a tie on! He’s somehow very traditional - in a very good way!

There’s a thread going somewhere about the difficulty of getting workmen to show up. I have to say that that usually is more the type of experience I get, but I thought it would be nice to redress the balance a bit.

I’m glad to hear there are a few great ones out there!

Oh and I asked the main guy today if, in future, I could call him even if it was just a piddly small job and he said of course. I can die happy now!

Just had our kitchen redone .... everything including electrics, full replaster... you get the idea.

The thought of all the hassle involved in sorting the kitchen had put me off doing the work for far too many years. All my worrying wasted as they were fantastic. Had a project manager who sorted the different people needed and organised it all.

I have been lucky with tradesmen and have a roofer who even did the work needed on my roof in bits as I could afford it and took payment in instalments for emergency work.

I keep thinking of more good things about them! I chucked a load more stuff into the skip at the weekend - they must’ve taken it out and quietly rearranged it so it all fits better! Look at my beautifully packed skip

can you give me the name of your decorators ???!!!

How lovely to read this. I’m sure you tell them regularly that they’re the bees knees. Their boss too, if they have one. It makes such a difference and takes most of the stress out of home renovation, which is not an easy thing.

I wish they were near me.

can you tell me what part of the country they work in ?