To be at the end of my tether with tradies

[hereismydog]

I’ve had three occasions recently where I’ve needed a tradesperson to do some work in my home. Several have come out and had a look, said they’d be in touch with a quote and then absolutely ghosted me. Three have given quotes, arranged a date to do the work and then not turned up at all, or cancelled 10 minutes after they were due to arrive. One started the job, left a gaping hole in my roof (in early December, when I was 38 weeks pregnant!) and then went AWOL for a week. He also refused to speak to me and would only ever speak to DP, even though I would be the one at home to let him in. He would ring DP at work and ask him to pass on a message to me, even though he had my number

I’m always very clear about the work I need doing so it’s not like I keep changing my mind and messing them about, and none of the jobs have been especially complex, nor too small to bother taking on.

Is it me? Or do I just live in an area with REALLY shit tradies? Not limited to one trade either; I’ve had similarly shit experiences with builders, roofers and plumbers so far!

The secret is YouTube.

See my update from this morning 😉

I removed a toilet and plumbed in a washing machine thanks to YouTube 😌 was asked by the delightful gentleman at Screwfix if I “was sure I knew what I was doing”, though 🙄 funny he didn’t ask the man he served before me the same, and he wasn’t wearing work clothes either!

Whilst I realise many many are bad, I feel I need to stick up for some tradespeople, good ones do exist. My other half is a plasterer and has never behaved like some of these mentioned on here. He spends 2/3 evenings a week going out quoting jobs and then typing them up. He's never ever not turned up and the only time he's been late was when his van broke down and he was absolutely gutted. Alot of clients are repeat customers and he never advertises. He keeps his Facebook page and Google page updated and that's it.
He's good at what he does but I won't show him this, don't want him to get big headed 😂

My father in law is a carpenter and he recommends trade people to us, so they know to behave as they give each other buisness.

Mind you,my husband also good with DIY and watches youtube videos. I wish there were more life lessons taught at school.

I do wonder if what we need is a nation wide, buisness who hires all these tradies and so, remove the need for so much self-employment. Thats only way i can see it going back in favour of customers.

@hereismydog men dont always know though, do they? I once went into a plumbers merchant and asked if they had any undermount kitchen sinks!! the man behind the counter had absolutely no clue what that was and looked at me like I had two heads!!! my daughter who was with me just burst out laughing at his stupidity!

Your family member will be better off in the end that they self funded with no student tax. Agree that it is outrageous that they have to though.

It's absolutely rotten for old or disabled people who just can't do the DIY for themselves and don't know anyone.