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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

... to wonder what is the problem with tradesmen?

52 replies

JumpJockey · 13/09/2010 17:48

I made an appointment 2 weeks ago for a guy to come and quote for painting 3 windows and doing a bit of work on the bricks. He was meant to be here at 4, no message to say sorry I'm delayed or anything.

There's another guy who works a lot on our street doing esactly the job we need; I've asked him 3 times to pop round next time he's in the area (since he never has a diary on him to make an appointment), he's never showed.

We had a big job done on our kitchen, got quotes from several people, one guy turned up and spent over an hour measuring up then never sent a quote through.

Surely given the current state of the economy, people would be keen to at least quote for work? Why bother saying you'll come then not turn up? If this guy does show up I'll now be loath to use him anyway because of the lack of reliability.

Is anyone a/ DP of a tradesperson who works for themself? Is this kind of behaviour normal or have we just got loads of slacking useless independents round here?

OP posts:

Itsjustafleshwound · 13/09/2010 17:52

I think it depends on the job and just what sort of work it entails... we phoned 3 independent plumbers to sort out our toilet, but they always let us down or never came when they said they would or return our calls.

I have found that the traders in the check-a-trade are pretty good - and relying on good feedback it is in their best interests top be polite and honest wrt the job.

MisterW · 13/09/2010 17:54

We had this when we wanted our kitchen ceiling plastered. Only the third plasterer bothered to send a quote so he got the job. I guess the others thought it was too hard or they didn't need to work.

werewolf · 13/09/2010 17:56

We always get this - can only assume some jobs aren't worth their while?

Original poster

JumpJockey · 13/09/2010 17:57

I used the site "recommend a tradesman" or whatever it was called when we needed the kitchen tiling done, they guaranteed 3 quotes but only 2 people even bothered to look at the job and get in touch. It's as if people aren't interested unless the job will make them several k.

OP posts:

Meglet · 13/09/2010 17:57

yanbu.

I have lost count of the numbers of blokes who don't turn up or don't send a quote. Why they can't just say it doesn't seem like the job for them I don't know.

Your local trading standards web site might also have a good list of recommendations, I've had good luck with them so far.

thisisyesterday · 13/09/2010 18:00

yaSOOOOOOnbu!!!

we have had the exact same thing. nightmare. took us weeks and weeks and weeks to get someone to come and do some electrical work for us.
and the driveway... it's enough to make me sob

if they don't want the work then why don't they just say so??

Original poster

JumpJockey · 13/09/2010 18:01

The trouble is, every time someone doesn't show it takes another couple of weeks to get an appointment with the next one, and so it drags on... We've never had a problem with big companies (eg the people who did the kitchen in the end) but they cost so much more and all they basically do is subcontract to these independents anyway.

OP posts:

weirdbird · 13/09/2010 18:02

I think they don't like small jobs.

We have been renovating our house for the last 5 years as we have had the funds to do things.

For the main re-wire no problem with people not turning up / quotes etc..

For everything else: plastering, carpentry, roof repair, plumbing we have had maybe 1 in 3 no show to take a look and then of those that do show up, maybe only half give us a quote.

We had one guy who had done some tiling work for us in a previous property no show 3 times to give me a quote for re-tiling our bathroon & kitchen before I gave up!

It drives me absolutely potty, I tend to ask on mu local netmums noticeboard for recommendations these days.

Original poster

JumpJockey · 13/09/2010 18:07

But what's the point - if you're a tiler, how often is it that you'll get someone asking you to tile a swimming pool? Surely most jobs are small domestic things. It may only be a couple of days' work, but isn't it better to be working those couple of days than hanging on for the really big job, that you never get because nobody's recommending you because you've never done any blimming jobs?

OP posts:

Original poster

JumpJockey · 13/09/2010 18:07

Actually to reply to myself - there are plenty of people round here doing exactly the job I need, who say they won't bother quoting because they're booked up til next spring. So maybe it's only the rubbish ones left!

OP posts:

werewolf · 13/09/2010 18:08

It makes me wonder whether it'd be worth advertising when you've got a job that needs doing, and just seeing how many tradesmen respond?

Lulumaam · 13/09/2010 18:10

I honestly don't know.. have had similar problems

our neighbours were having the outside of their house painted, ours needs doing, so DH asked them to pop over to have a look.. cue much sucking of teeth and 'oooh,i'd need a really big thick brush for that' i kid you not.

DH looked askance and said, do you not want to give a quote? he said, oh yes, no problem.. never sent one

happens all the time

worse is when the job is left half finished

although have just had a new window fitted by a small local firm and htey were bloody brilliant.

ProfYaffle · 13/09/2010 18:11

This drives me crazy, we've had similar. When getting our garden landscaped of the 4 gardeners we called 1 didn't show up, 3 came to measure up, 1 sent a quote.

One of the guys who actually showed up but didn't submit a quote wandered around with a face like this , blatantly didn't measure up properly and clearly had no intention of doing the job. Why not just say so? A simple "sorry, I've got too much work on and don't think I'll have time" even if it's not true instead of keeping people hanging around.

scampadoodle · 13/09/2010 18:11

Oh god, I thought I was the only person who could never find builders... I'm going through a nightmare re my kitchen at the moment.

EricNorthmansmistress · 13/09/2010 19:04

Weird isn't it. I booked a window cleaner once, I called him on the morning he was due to say my doorbell was dodgy and to please phone my mobile when he arrived. He said yes, sure. He never turned up

PinkElephant73 · 13/09/2010 19:09

I feel your pain!

It is particularly annoying when you describe in detail on the phone what the job is - and they still dont show OR turn up, spend ages measuring and then dont quote!

I just think they dont listen to what you say on the phone at all.

Alouiseg · 13/09/2010 19:22

I get my best recommendations from my friend who is a local accountant. She has a stable of tradesmen and all her recommendations have been spot on. I think they are all a bit scared of her. :o

StealthPolarBear · 13/09/2010 19:28

We had a local guy once come and fix the roof. He did a really good job. When I tried to pay him he said he'd post us a bill. 9 months (and lots of chasing) later we finally managed to get a figure out of him!
Now that's the wrong way round...

Tippychoocks · 13/09/2010 19:34

I have been trying to get a woodburner fitted since April and only one bugger has bothered to come round, last week. Still waiting on the quote 6 days later.

I am baffled as to why people don't seem to want the work. I've also left countless messages without too many details so they didn't just not think the job worth it (though it will cost so I don't see why), they haven't bothered to call back to even find out what I wanted. I am thinking of doing a bloody night course myself at this stage.

nannynick · 13/09/2010 19:44

I've found some great people via CheckATrade, though maybe I've just been lucky in having work they wanted to actually do. Passed the name of the plumber I used to my mum... who said he never got back to her.

I can't find anyone to artex a small part of my ceiling, not a job anyone seems interested in doing.

So I think it may depend sometimes on the size of the job... hard to find people to do jobs that don't take that long/cost that much.

SPB - quite a nice way round though in some ways, you had a free roof for 9 months.

I love it when tradespeople deal via e-mail, so much easier for me - and them as well I expect.
I arranged my window shutters completely via e-mail - well and a man coming round to measure up, then the same man and his helper coming to fit but both those visits were arranged via e-mail (and they arrived a few minutes early).

SuzieHomemaker · 13/09/2010 22:13

DH is an electrician but came to the trade late. He always turns up on time, gives detailed written quotes. He likes doing small jobs - they are easier for him as he is a one man band.

Problem is that he couldnt keep a hamster on what he makes and is thinking about chucking it in. It seems that you have to be a cowboy to make a living.

iheartdusty · 13/09/2010 22:20

this is a really interesting thread.

in my job I see people daily who are small tradesmen , saying 'no work, it all dried up, nothing around, got huge debts, can't pay the mortgage'. Yet I have had the same sort of experiences as others, ie loads of no-shows and lack of interest.

SuzieHomemaker, do you mind me asking, why do you think your DH can't make a decent living? It sounds as though he offers a great service and could get lots of recommendations. Is he priced out? But who by?

Maybe people wanting small jobs done just won't or can't pay enough?

any other insights?

MrsThisIsTheCadillacOfNailguns · 13/09/2010 22:22

I'm a tradesperson and cannot take any more work on at present as I'm booked up for the forseeable future.However,if someone rings me,I am honest and say that I can put them on my waiting list,but if they can find someone in the meantime,to use them instead.

Thankfully,now I have a friend who I can pass my excess work too.I always explain to the customer that I am busy,but that my friend may be able to help and is it ok to pass their details on? If they agree,friend rings them back the same day,so they are not being messed around.

I've had the not turning up / not quoting problem too and it drives me scatty.Luckily I now have a list of reliable tradesmen and everyone rings me now if they need a plumber/sparky ect,and I can recommend one.

sanfair · 13/09/2010 22:27

Try a website called MyHammer. I've used it a few times to get both small and big jobs done. Each time I've made sure the person I picked had all good reviews and so far I've only had the good guys.

JaxTellersOldLady · 13/09/2010 22:36

nannynick would you mind giving me the details of the company you used for your shutters, and if it isnt too cheeky a guide price?

thanks

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