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Original poster

Polish Builders

43 replies

noddyholder · 26/09/2006 11:05

would you hire them?Or do you think its unfair to British builders Following an excellent efficient and fair priced (about half)small job I am thinking of using a team to finish our house as the team I usually use are really expensive and it would take about 2 more years to finish!Or use the polish guys and have a completed house before xmas?In a dilemma and do feel a bit mean but am sick of living in c**p tbh

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Avalon · 26/09/2006 11:08

Having experienced the rubbish that some British builders pass off as good work, I say go for the Polish!

HuwEdwards · 26/09/2006 11:08

tbh, where they came from really wouldn't figure for me. I'd be far more intersted in the quality of their work, their attitude and of course the cost.

Tutter · 26/09/2006 11:09

i'd be very careful about posts such as this tbh

Tutter · 26/09/2006 11:10

(whether you consider it so or not, it is racist)

(same as: do you trust indian doctors? or, do you trust german teachers?)

Original poster
noddyholder · 26/09/2006 11:13

This is NOT racist I am asking more if it is ethical?I am not question ing that they are trustworthy

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Piffle · 26/09/2006 11:17

We live in an area where there are lots of Polish and eastern europeans working.
They work very hard, are very polite and respectful and the fact that they can undercut costs is down to the sacrifices they make in their living arrangements in order to send as much money back home to their families.Because their needs are less materialistic than ours, they ask for less.
I offer them as much work as I can and have never been disappointed - cleaning gardening odd building jobs/paving etc
My brothers girlfriend is Bulgarian and has faced very offensive attitudes - she has amazing work ethic and has taught our entire family many things about life.

zippitippitoes · 26/09/2006 11:18

I would use them if they can do the job and you are happy with their quote.

If some came to this area they would clean up

Original poster
noddyholder · 26/09/2006 11:20

Thanks piffle I had a good experience with one when our team of builders hired him to do a few bits and he was so quick and efficient that they got rid of him!They left him to do ply our bathroom ready to tile and they went out for a sandwich.they came back in an hour and it was done Their words were f*in hell!They thought he would tske all day!

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Original poster
noddyholder · 26/09/2006 12:03

They are coming to quote today at 1pm.I have just had a quote to put new hinges on a tiny loft window and a new handle to make it more secure £256 from a local guywho admits it will take no more than an hour and a half so will get the polish guys quote and compare!

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Tutter · 26/09/2006 12:18

sorry noddy, a bit hypersensitive today - other threads making me twitchy

Tutter · 26/09/2006 12:19

(don't know where i got the trust thiong from - thought i'd seen it on a post)

HappyDaddy · 26/09/2006 13:03

Why care where they are from? They could be from Mars as long as they can put up a straight wall, ffs.

Original poster
noddyholder · 26/09/2006 14:21

i don't really mind where they are from just felt a bit bad as a friend said I was taking work from british builders but if its good enough for madonna its good enough for me

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HappyDaddy · 27/09/2006 10:12

If our builders were good enough and cheap enough, they'd have plenty of work.

That argument is always bollocks.

speedymama · 27/09/2006 11:12

My parents came over from Jamaica in the 1960s to do jobs that the British deemed beneath them. The as the numbers of immigrants increased, the xenophobes started to complain that they were taking their jobs. No doubt this is happening to the Eastern Europeans now.

On Newsnight last night, they were discussing the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU. A British employer, who employs builders etc said that the main difference between the Polish and the British is that when 2pm arrived, the British would leave the job unfinished because as far they are concerned, they had done their bit for the day. On the other hand, the Poles will stay to late in the evening until they finish the job.

Based on my own personal experiences, it is about time British tradesman had some competition because

  1. They will stop taking the customer for granted and stop treating them as idiots.
  2. Improve their work ethic and turn up on time (or even just turn up!)
  3. Stop overcharging
  4. Do a decent job.

I'm sure there are plenty out there who do a decent job but they are difficult to find. Only last week, my DB waited in for an electrician to come to do a repair at his house. The idiot didn't even turn up and when he finally contacted my brother, he said that he was busy on another job!. Hence points 1 & 2.

HappyDaddy · 27/09/2006 11:32

Speedymama, exactly my thinking and experiences, too. I have a great builder, local bloke, but he has stopped recommending fellow trades people to customers as they ALL let them down.

Original poster
noddyholder · 27/09/2006 12:23

Theyn were hwere this morning with the quote typed up and every single piece of material costed individually with the labour costed seperate.The actual work we asked for plus they have included a lot of painting and fiddly bits which we usually do ourselves.Also cost at least a third of what our usual builders quoted\So they start as soon as poss!

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KTeepee · 27/09/2006 12:46

Totally agree with Speedymama. they are perfectly entitled to wotk in this country so don't see why you would have any moral dillemas about hiring them. Wish there were more around here - the local builders could definitely do with more competition!

hunkermunker · 27/09/2006 12:48

I keep reading the thread title as a command

expatinscotland · 27/09/2006 12:51

a team of polish builders are converting the former warehouse across the street from our flats into lofts.

it's getting done in record time.

milward · 27/09/2006 12:51

hire the team that'll do the job - country not important.

Original poster
noddyholder · 27/09/2006 17:24

they are starting some of it tomorrow!Really lovely guys now I just have to tell my usual builders That is the moral dilemma tbh I feel bad taking the work from them but they are so expensive and never seem to completely finish every little bit without me nagging!

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berrycherry · 27/09/2006 18:40

where do you find them?

KTeepee · 27/09/2006 18:57

Wish I could find some too - most of the builders around here are so busy they don't bother to return calls/work up a quote and if you do manage to get a quote they want to charge an arm and a leg...

PretendFriend · 27/09/2006 19:13

Why do you have to tell your usual builders? I bet they've let you down loads of times.