Builders - how to get one?

[Georgyporky]

We need some work doing - a new bathroom, + remedial work & re-dec of another room.
Trawled local FB pages, asked friends & acquaintances for recommendations.

3 have not responded to enquiries at all - including one that lives 5 minutes walk away.

2 turned up, but despite chasing have not given a quote.

1 turned up, was very aggressive, accused us of wasting his time if he wasn't going to get the job & left.

Result?
Just one quote so far.

What's going on?

They’re making their money too easily just now!
A lot of guys are great builders but rubbish businessmen-we’ve been waiting since May-our builder starts in September

Word of mouth. Not always possible I know. I lucked out with a friend of a friend and they have been fabulous- I didn't get multiple quotes as I renovate houses so have an idea what things cost, and wanted someone reliable and did quality work, not just the right price. Came through on all fronts.

Thanks for the replies.

The word-of-mouth isn't working here, unfortunately.
I used to live in a village where every trade & profession imaginable was represented in the pub - no problem getting work done.
Looks like the lone quoter will get the job by default.

Very frustrating - I have been badly let down by a firm too with my house refurbishment - should have been completed December last year and I've been begging for months to complete last few things. Not interested 😒 I've now given an ultimatum..... Good luck searching

im in the same position OP - since October 2020!!!!
We need a lot of work done to our shitty bungalow for my disabled Dd. I’ve contacted about 10 builders. 7 have gone out . 5 promised quotes. Zero quotes.
Itll be because so many Eastern Europeans left, Brexit etc

Sadly I think you'll have to bear with it. Everyone wants builders at the moment and writing quotes takes time
A good builder is worth waiting for but since 2020 @Blue4YOU , I have no words, where in the country are you?

@MrsSplendiferous
South East - I think it’s because my house is really awkward - on two slopes - and because of the disabled facilities we need

We noticed a load of vans belonging to builders and contractors outside our local pub several times a week and got talking to the guys when we were in. Turns out a lot of them were employed by the same building firm and we all liaised to get them to do our work after hours when they were in the area on other jobs. I’m sure it all ended up being cash in hand with no tax declared but frankly, that’s not my lookout.

So is always worth approaching contractors you see on jobs in the area, I think.

It's a bloody nightmare.

We need a roof repair. My husband contacted someone that said he'd come over but didn't. And then rang the next day as if nothing had happened. His van broke down, apparently.

Someone came out to quote. Said he'd book us in. Silence since.

I feel your pain! I reckon there’ll be way more availability from autumn onwards as the economy falters - need to work longer hours, fewer people doing improvements (rather than repairs), more people DIY, etc.

It is an absolute nightmare - I got a quote to have my bathroom re-done but they can't do the work until February! And that's with my husband being one of the tradesmen. They are just so busy at the moment

Roof work and other stuff needed since June 2021 . Spent until April this year trying to get a builder. Word of mouth, recommendation pulled out randomly in January after stringing me along for 6 months. Of 5 builders visited, only 1 was goer . They planned to start end May and take 8-10 weeks.
were now in late August, roof is off, water coming in. They’ve been let down by subcontractor who was doing final finish (flat roofs). He simply went awol with their money even though they’d used him for years. They’re now scrambling to find someone else, they’re being ripped off potentially because sub contracts know it’s urgent. I’m panicking cos kitchen is flooding in rain- the cost are escalating for them because of water damage.

theyve probably still got 6 weeks work after roofs are installed- so I’m thinking Xmas now looking more likely at this rate😱. I just had a conversation about what’ll happen when I need heating on- I’ll be pumping heat and fuel straight through roofs😱😮

yet there is nothing anyone can really do. Trades are in massive short supply and are picking the easiest jobs at the highest prices they can charge.

what I’m paying doubled from my initial quotes last year to May this year. I’m paying what it would have cost for a large extension or renovation 3 years ago.

my advice- if you can avoid building work right now, and probably for next year at least, do so. Don’t buy a house needing work you can’t do yourself. Don’t have more children needing new bedrooms 🤣 just no.

or, go on a plumbing, wiring, tiling course at evening school and learn how to do it yourself!

seriously

dont even think about getting decorators in- you’ll be ripped off. You can do that yourself. Ok it is a pain..but you’ll be paying stupid money you’d need for the other work

"or, go on a plumbing, wiring, tiling course at evening school and learn how to do it yourself!
seriously"
I'd love to. Can you recommend one suitable for disabled people ?

I agree. I was recently quoted £700+materials for some outside work. I did it myself over about 3 days