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I had a lovely tradesman come to my house today

6 replies

JohnKettleyIsAWeathermanAndSoIsMichaelFish · 28/03/2025 00:44

I know! He didn't ask to use the toilet or anything!
Seriously though, as a female living on my own I've had tradesmen come to quote for a number of things and it always makes me really anxious. Like sometimes they take advantage of the fact you need them if you know what I mean? I've had quotes in the past ranging from £3k to £10k to do the same job (not this one).
But this man was a lovely surprise. I've had someone in the past come in for the same issue and he was an awful bully, made me feel incompetent and patronised. So I posted on FB for recommendations and everyone that replied said the same person, so I messaged him. He didn't know what time he would arrive, just that it would be "this afternoon" depending on how long his previous job took. He messaged me late morning to say he could be at mine within half an hour. I was in a meeting (wfh) and he said it was fine, he'd send invoices from his van while he was waiting. When he came in I offered him a drink, he said no thanks, he'd got himself a coffee at the petrol station at the end of the road. He walked round my place, talking me through the issues and why they were happening, Then said - I can fix them now, it'll be £65. Honestly - I was thinking more in the region of £300-£400 based on my previous experience. He was a lovely lovely guy and already I know that what he did has solved the problem (and not what the previous expensive guy said, which hadn't worked anyway). And there was no pressure sales-pitching for future business. What a shame there can't be more like him.
Anyway, I just wanted to share this because I know there are a lot of people on here that have had bad experiences. There are decent tradies out there after all!

OP posts:
CarpetKnees · 28/03/2025 01:01

I tend to find that everyone I have come to do work in the house is pleasant, fair, and honest.

But I will always get personal recommendations and not just call someone from an advert.
In fact, thinking about it, none of the people I use ever need to advertise as they get all their work through word of mouth recommendations.

DilemmaDelilah · 28/03/2025 08:56

I needed a plumber a little while ago and I asked on Facebook. I had a really nice chap come round to look at it, he did the job and gave us a discount as it turns out he lives about 10 doors away! I'm so glad he was nice, and did a good job. Could have been really embarassing otherwise!

SparklyGlitterballs · 28/03/2025 09:03

I've got two tradesmen here at the moment and they've been here for three weeks. It's the second time they've done work on my property. They are two Lithuanian guys who work for an English guy. They are lovely. Very polite and respectful. Excellent English and we have nice chats when they have a coffee break. They're extremely skilled and are doing an excellent job (renovating bathroom). Every night when they leave they clean up thoroughly and vacuum all around where they're working. They wash their cups up. They've even done little things not part of their remit (replaced a couple of roof tiles on my extension, fixed some lights in my kitchen). I can't fault them and it's a pleasure to have got such decent workers in.

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Sifflet · 28/03/2025 09:08

They’re as varied as anyone else in any other job, it can just feel more ‘personal’ when they’re wandering around your house, especially if they’re rude. My plumber is one of the nicest men I’ve ever met, though. And he exudes an air of Zen calm as he looks at my malfunctioning boiler or whatever.

BeaAndBen · 28/03/2025 09:11

I live the guy who installed our downstairs loo, he’s a genuinely lovely bloke.

Hoppinggreen · 28/03/2025 09:13

Good Tradies are like good cleaners
Worth their weight in gold and you need to hang onto them
We had around 4 companies quote for our kitchen and I wouldn't have wanted any of them in my house to actually do the job and thats IF they had all bothered to send a quote (2 didn't)
The kitchen fitters we actually got were Polish and only the boss spoke English but they were no trouble at all. Turned up as agreed, worked hard with no break, refused drinks and tidied up before leaving.
My wonderful cleaner retired at Christmas and having had some nightmare ones I just can't face replacing her so am doing to myself for now.

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