Why is it so bloody hard to find tradesmen these days? Fed up!!!

[housesarenightmares]

I’m not sure if it’s because they’re too busy, don’t want the work, or just don’t care ???

I’ve had some issues in my house recently, mainly in the bathroom. The P trap in my bath needs to be replaced. I didn’t even know what that was until the room started smelling like sewerage last week. It’s meant to stop sewer gases, bad smells, pests etc etc from coming into the house. The window is constantly open and the plug is in but it doesn’t make a difference. I called the plumber last Wednesday, and he knew exactly what the problem was and said he’d pop up this week. Not ideal, but I didn’t expect to find anyone sooner. I hadn’t heard back, so I chased again yesterday morning but got no reply. I called 3 other people today, and they all said they can’t come until next week.

I looked online, and it seems like a job that shouldn’t take more than an hour. I understand they’re not charities, and I’ll happily pay whatever they ask just to get it done! Living with this isn’t very nice, and I’m pretty sure breathing in the fumes isn’t great either. I’m just frustrated. Nobody goes out of their way to help anymore! I’m sure they wouldn’t be happy living with this either. There are other things that need fixing or replacing, but I’ve given up as I cba chasing people!

AIBU? Anyone experienced the same thing recently?

I just use the apps

I’m rural and feel your pain. Tradies don’t want to come out for piddly jobs that take an hour they want to book in all day jobs. I have offered to be about really early ( en route to another job) or late ( on the way home) it cost me £192 to replace a bolt that had split and causing a leak and the stopcock thst adjoins it.

DH was an electrician for a few years. Part P qualified so the real deal. He would go out and quote for jobs big and small.

Problem was that small electrical jobs often turn into big jobs if the rest of the wiring isnt up to date. A properly compliant electrician cant do a bodge job.

Of course the client doesnt understand this so saw DH as trying to pull a fast one. The client's neighbour's nephew's cat would do the bodge job for a tin of Whiskas and a tickle behind the ears.

DH closed the business and now works for a supermarket.

Try mybuilder. You will see feedback there too. I often manage to find someone there although I must say I do notice that many people prefer bigger jobs these days. I think there is definitely a shortage of skilled people in many of those areas. I guess Blair's drive to send everyone to university has come home to roost and we are now seeing the results.

All the tradies we've used have been through asking for recommendations on local Facebook groups.

Very fortunate that we found a good plumber/heating engineer about 12 years ago and have managed to keep hold of him 😅

If it takes a professional 'no more than an hour', I'm sure you could do it in two ? Would probably take more care too, as to the plumber its just another job ?

Lol, and the rest, for me at least. Everything takes me forever when taking into account researching, buying the stuff, starting the job, more research, more buying, panicking because inevitably something is not as existed. Plus buying any tools needed which I then need to store (tiny terrace) plus no confidence it's actually been done right. I hate DIY!

Yes our plumber agreed 2 a 2 day job. We emptied the relevant rooms and moved into a spare bedroom on 15 September ready for work to start the next day.
He called the next day to say he was running behind on a job. Well here we are now Nov 5th. Weve obviously moved all our stuff back and back into our bedroom but every week we are promised the work will start but it never does. For 4 weeks we've lined up 7 other plumbers to come and quote. Only 2 have turned up quoted agreed a date (all say 2 days work) ....its moving radiators/replacing radiators...but not 1 has arrived on the day.

I don't know what we're doing wrong. I think we're nice and approachable. Ive offered cuppas and snacks. Respected thier suggestions and advice.

We have a drain issue at the front of the house too. 4 Groundworks companies quoted August24 to October 24. Weve been promised start dates by 2 companies (its a big job £££££ and 6 to 8 days work). But no they keep changing the date. Ive bags of gravel sat on my driveway we were told to buy for the job, that are now growing weeds.
Im honestly at my wits fucking end.

Ive lost the will to keep chasing them.now so needn't start finding someone again.

I personally don't like FB recommendations (1 of our absent plumbers was a wonderful fb recommendation) most fb recommendations aren't from satisfied customers but the wife/girlfriend/ or best mate of the tradesman.