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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To suggest everyone's DC train as roofers, builders and other "trades"?

165 replies

PolkerrisBeach · 14/08/2018 09:34

Because I've spent about a month trying to get people to do work in the house and NOBODY'S INTERESTED. Nobody wants to come and quote for smaller jobs like putting four skylights in an extension ceiling, taking down a wall between two rooms and plastering.

They're all too busy doing 50k extensions and loft conversions.

So if anyone has a child considering their future, send them to learn to be an electrician / builder / roofer / carpenter - they are all so busy that they're turning work away.

OP posts:
Didntwanttochangemyname · 14/08/2018 09:41

DH and I have agreed that both our children are welcome to go to university but not until they have each learnt a trade (most likely welding). Degrees aren't worth much and if you have a trade then you can make money if you need it.
Def not U!

HelpmeobiMN · 14/08/2018 09:42

Do your kids get a choice in that Didntwanttochangemyname...?

BossWitch · 14/08/2018 09:43

Yep. I'm very happy with the idea of dd learning a trade - not least because we can then use her & her contacts for building work!

Dread to think of the cost of uni in 15 years time.

LeftRightCentre · 14/08/2018 09:44

I think training as someone who can install and repair air-con units is the way to go after this heatwave.

Finfintytint · 14/08/2018 09:44

I’m in the same position with trying to find someone to fit our new bathroom. Nobody wants the work it seems(rural area, so maybe not many about).

argumentativefeminist · 14/08/2018 09:45

That's immensely unfair, didntwantto. Imagine if all doctors, nurses and teachers had been forced to do the same by their parents, and then after the years of learning their trade had lost their passion for their degree subject or were no longer in a position to go to university.

Noqont · 14/08/2018 09:46

I'll let my DC decide what they want to be, but agree that trades are a good option these days.

LyndorCake · 14/08/2018 09:46

I definitely want DS to learn a trade, but if he really doesn't want to, I can't force him.

LoisWilkerson1 · 14/08/2018 09:46

Yanbu. My dh has made well over 50k as a tradesman for the last 15 years. He loves his job and has won awards. He is his own boss etc etc. Trades can offer a good career. I've never earned close to what he has with all my academic qualifications and degree.

EvaHarknessRose · 14/08/2018 09:47

Totally. I seem to live in an area that is demographically a mix between people who work in the trades and health/council/civil service professionals and those in the trades definitely have better houses, spend more on holidays etc. I’d say on average they are happier too, but do work long hours. And we thought companies would be keen to quote for a loft conversion, but far from the truth! They didn’t bother until they were sure we were serious.

funmummy48 · 14/08/2018 09:47

I completely agree, yet schools seem to be pushing everyone to go to University to the extent that children feel anything less is a sign of failure. We need more tradespeople & I'd love to have a child who was a plasterer! 😉

PaintedHorizons · 14/08/2018 09:47

I agree up to a point but in reality the tradespeople were the ones worst hit by influx of cheap labour, by complex and time consuming procedures that apply equally to huge corporations and two-man-bands, by endless paperwork, by customers treating them like shit and quibbling over pennies, asking for endless quotes and for withholding payment.

The trade bit is the easy bit - it is the rest that is a nightmare

Chickencellar · 14/08/2018 09:48

I think some of it is regional though , we are in the north and it's not that hard to get people in. Another factor was the massive push towards university maybe 15 years or so ago .

Ifailed · 14/08/2018 09:49

I know several (SE London based) people who've opted for a loft conversion/extension rather than go through the hassle of moving, in some cases the cost of moving (EA fees, stamp duty etc) pretty well covered off the price of the work.

StarfishSandwich · 14/08/2018 09:49

Me and DH spent ages at a family party last summer trying to convince my cousin to take the apprenticeship he’d been offered rather than go to university! Of my close group of friends, less than half of us are doing jobs related to our degrees! Most of the people I went to school with who went into plumbing/building/electrical type roles are far better off!

LoisWilkerson1 · 14/08/2018 09:49

They shouldn't be made to study a trade of course. You cant make them do something they have no interest in but it should be an option. When I was a teen my parents were all for uni or nothing.

summerFruitPudding · 14/08/2018 09:49

@Didntwanttochangemyname

Thank god children can attend university without needing their parents if this is your rather strange attitude.

What the fuck does "welcome" mean?

Degrees are a very worthwhile investment.

I hope my children both attend university; then they'll be able to afford 50k extensions.

Singlenotsingle · 14/08/2018 09:49

The problem with being asked to come and quote is that the tradesman doesn't get paid for quotes, AND if he doesn't get the job then that's time completely wasted. He could go out and do 3 quotes in a day and get none of the jobs. Offer to pay him for his time at his normal hourly rate and you'll probably get someone.

TwitterQueen1 · 14/08/2018 09:50

I agree 100% OP. (says the woman whose DCs have all been/are at uni.....)

It took me weeks and I don't know how many phone calls to find someone to do my driveway. One company actually rang back about 6 weeks after I'd rung them and when I asked why they hadn't responded before they just said "Oh we're very busy."

CholloDeNombre · 14/08/2018 09:51

I encourage my DC to pinpoint what they love, and find a good paying career in that field. win-win.

KlutzyDraconequus · 14/08/2018 09:51

So if anyone has a child considering their future, send them to learn to be an electrician / builder / roofer / carpenter - they are all so busy that they're turning work away.

They're not really turning work away tho.. they're spending time on higher value work and isn't that what everyone does?

You would go to work one day for half wages, why should tradesmen?

Clairetree1 · 14/08/2018 09:51

trades are a good option for intelligent hard working youngsters.

competent electricians and plumbers are never out of work

BruceAndNosh · 14/08/2018 09:51

We need more plumbers and less media studies degrees!

summerFruitPudding · 14/08/2018 09:53

@BruceAndNosh

Fewer. It's fewer.

Oh, the irony!

PaintedHorizons · 14/08/2018 09:54

Exactly singlenotsingle

I work with a trusted builder and a regular plumber - they are local and known to me. I ask them to do a job and I know they'll charge me a fair rate. They don't have to drive to my house at a time of my choosing to quote knowing that the chances are they won't get paid.