If you don't actually WANT the work, fine. Just be honest about it.

[bupcakesandcunting]

Right, I have had six men visit my house to quote me on re-building my patio/some steps. Out of the six, how many do you reckon have got back to me with a price?

One.

Bloody one.

I explain to them on the phone what the job is and ask if that's something they'd do. they sy yes so we aarrange for them to come round. They stand in my garden, measuring, umming and ahhhing about how much material they'll need etc, say they'll ring me with a price and NOTHING! Honestly, if they said "I'm sorry but it's more work than I'd realised. I won't be able to help" then it would be different. As it is, I've spent a total of six weeks waiting for these phonecalls that never come (they have all said to give them a week to get back with a cost)

It dos my swede in. So, if you know of/are married to/are employed as someone in this fieldand are in the Midlands, PM me. I am fucking NICE to work for. I dole out tea and biscuits and don't chuck a diva fit when things go wrong.

Nah not feisty...dont care that much LOL (took me a few days to even notice)

my dad was a builder,he didnt take jobs if he thought the people were going to be "hard work". he built my childhoofd home 35 years ago and has yet to finish the shower room.

My dh is a plumber and gets a lot of his business from answering the phone and returning calls quickly. However, as others have said there is a lot of time behind the scenes that people are unwilling to pay for - most evenings he is on the internet pricing up and researching jobs, or doing the associated paperwork. He tries to be flexible when visiting to give quotes, but prefers not to do it after about 7pm weekdays or 3pm on a Saturday, but it's amazing how many people find it strange that he won't come out after those times (unless it's an emergency). If he included the hours spent in admin, in his hourly rate or quote then the price would make the customers faint, but he takes the hit.

It's really frustrating when he gives a detailed quote and nevers hears from the person again - and it makes me very cross when people are rude to him (and me) on the phone if they don't like what they hear. Another gripe is the amount of time people take to pay - it's no wonder small businesses struggle when people won't pay within the month (or in the case of some management companies within three, the feckers...).

"As Ormirion said anyone who is giving you a ridiculously high price has most likely decided they dont want to work for you and "this will make putting up with her worthwhile"

Yeah, no-one has given me a ridiculously high price. Like I said, my problem is not getting ANY price at ALL.

Arrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!

"Another gripe is the amount of time people take to pay - it's no wonder small businesses struggle when people won't pay within the month (or in the case of some management companies within three, the feckers...)."

All of my workmen have been paid, either in cash or wired to their bank, within one day of finishing the work. God's honest truth. I said earlier, I should get workmen to write references for me. I honestly think I am decent to work for. No harping on when things go tits up, work paid for in good time, no bossing about, kettle permanently on...

Isn't there a problem of numbers here? I wonder if the problems we're experiencing come from the fact that it's the done thing to get three quotes for any work. Maybe those builders who are busier don't feel vey motivated to give quotes because they might only stand a one in three chance of getting the job anyway.

I'm off to fall into a reverie now. Whilst contemplating the garden that I've only managed to get one quote for so far.

I always pay workmen on the day they finish. I thought you had to!

Well, fuck my old boots.

What have I just had pushed through my front door?

Bupcakes, I wasn't having a go at you about payment, just the ones round here (and to be fair not everyone!). I think you sound like the perfect customer.....

Our builder once asked me not to give him and his mates the tea as soon as it was made as it would take too long for them to drink as it would be too hot! So I had to make it, and then wait 10 minutes. We were only allowed to make one in the morning and one at lunchtime too - he was a great builder, but has given up working for himself as the paperwork got to be too much so now he's employed by a contractor.

What have you had pushed through your door - a quote, an advert, a paving slab? Go on, tell!

Dunno bupcakes...diet coke man's appendage?

YAMOST DEFINITELYNBU.
I'm sooo fed up of this. I've taken precious time off work to be here for when 'they' come to view the work required. I've had 5 now, none - yes NONE - have come back to me with a quote. I started out thinking, ok, lost the number etc and called, NOBODY has returned with a quote. Un-bloody- believeable.
Fuming - again.

A quote! Bit expensive but it is a quote nonetheless! The job might be his!

Bupcakes I live in the West Mids too and have had just the same experiences. It drives me up the wall. And when someone does come and do some work in the house, they tend to drive me up the wall anyway (had a decorater in last year, lovely chap in many ways; incredibly racist and sexist though. I guess I have led a sheltered life but I had never heard anyone voice such extreme opinions - I spent most of the time torn between anger and astonishment).
Hope the quote isn't too expensive!

I can't imagine why tradesmen would actually look at a job, then not quote - very strange, what a futile exercise, I mean why bother at all? Are they burly blokes wearing vest tops in rusty vans LOL, try to find a sole trader with a clean van - H is quite obsessive about his van being clean and tidy and we often get calls because people have been sitting behind it in traffic.

My "client of choice" LOL would be pensioners they are much more inclined to pay as he walks out the door, we (unless quiet) avoid businesses as they can take a month or more to pay!

I cant tell you how many times he goes out to look at a job to be told "oh I already have someone to do it but the insurance company wants 3 quotes" what a complete waste of time! Glad we mainly e-mail now as at least it doesnt cost us for paper and stamps any more, so its just the time involved!

A company he has worked for before (who takes ages to pay us) sent him 3 pages of things they want quotes for but I know for a fact there is no actual work there for him, he is intending to do it as a gesture of goodwill but god knows when!

When business is good we also avoid outdoor work, we cant rely on the weather and a few days of rain can completely f*ck up the diary and the budget, but then i'd tell the person we were too busy rather than even look (he'd do it for existing clients/referrals)

The only thing I can suggest is talking to friends and other parents to see who they use - you must live in a very busy area for them to be so picky! Is there a lot of site work going on, a lot of tradesmen do that as its steady income with less admin.