We’re getting a bit long in the tooth now and having lived in the same house 30 years we’ve had quite a bit of work done over the years but some things never change.
Tradesmen. We’ve had plasterers, painters, plumbers, kitchen and bathroom fitters over the years, some have done amazing work, some not so good but there’s a common theme amongst them all.
Calamities that seem to befall them unexpectedly right in the middle of the job.
We’re just coming out of a 3 year stint where we’ve had a new kitchen, 3 new bathrooms and a full house replaster and decorate.
Trades who don’t start work on time, they say they’ll be there at 8, they turn up closer to 9 or 10 (oh we had to get materials) then they’re gone by 3. They’ll come, start the job with enthusiasm then come day 3 here comes the unexpected issue.
We’ve had the following from various trades over the past few years - all different people and all a few days into starting the job.
Broken down van x 2
Crashed van
house broken into
wife in hospital
wife unwell
father in hospital
daughter unwell and can’t go to school
hurt their arm
been sick overnight x 2
think they have Covid
So they then get behind on the job which then threatens the timeline of the next person coming in, painter or carpet fitter etc. So they either end up rushing the last part of the job or promising to work weekends that never materialise (another excuse is usually pulled out the bag then). I’m pretty firm and will insist on making sure the job is done to our satisfaction but there’s always this issue and it leaves a bad taste and stress.
I take time to carefully look at reviews for people and don’t book trades who are clearly cowboys yet this happens time and time again.
They’d never survive in a traditional job in a factory or workplace where they would be expected to turn up on time and stay for the working day. Drives me bloody mad!
Are we unlucky or is this common??