Tradesmen- why are they so hopeless?

[PollyPerky]

It's just dire. Everyone we contact is unreliable. Waited for a Polish plumber to come to give a quote- thought we'd give him a chance even though he was new to an advertising site and no reviews. He didn't show. Emailed someone through recommendation of old plumber- took almost 2 weeks to phone us , came out to quote, now over 10 days since he was here, no quote, followed with text message, nothing. He talked timescales when here so WTF?? Also had a builder quote for a job, he seemed nice , interested, good reputation locally, a week gone by and no quote sent by email (yet.)

What is the MATTER with these people? ok they aren't brain surgeons and maybe struggle to run a business because they lack organisational skills but how the heck do they get work when they behave like this? Presumably by charging an arm and leg for the work they do turn up and do. Rant over.

Any tips for pinning these people down?

[CanadianJohn]

Perhaps it's something about your demeanour when you speak to "these people" that gets their heckles up.

Perhaps, but not very likely. I needed a furnace repairman last winter, called a company during the night, left a message. They called back at 8.00 am, and the repairman arrived at 10.00 am.

Similarly, when our gas fire suddenly turned itself ON mid-summer... I shut off the gas, called the company that had installed the fire (10 years ago), and someone came round the same day.

This is the way it should be. It's not my wonderful personality repairmen are responding to.

When I read (up thread) that "I got in touch with every often fitter within 30 miles when our boiler pretty much exploded midwinter " then this is a sign that something is radically wrong with the system of training and qualifying skilled workers.

[Maverick66]

Prolly

My husband is a tradesman, meticulous in his job and organisational skills.
I suggest you ask yourself why tradesmen are reluctant to work for you.
Perhaps it's something about your demeanour when you speak to "these people" that gets their heckles up.

[sall74]

I find it's just about impossible to get them to come out for any smallish job, anything less than a full rewire or a full new central heating system and they just don't want to know (but they won't tell you that, they'll just say that they'll get back to you and never do).

[LazyJournalistsQuoteMN]

It's very hard to find reliable and reasonable tradespeople. There's little or no regulators to maintain standards.

[SquidgeyMidgey]

Oftec fitter not often...

[SquidgeyMidgey]

It is difficult getting people out for quotes. I got in touch with every often fitter within 30 miles when our boiler pretty much exploded midwinter and it was a complete nightmare. DH called in industrial contacts in the end, they're based up country but have the domestic certs for quiet times. Similarly we're having electrical work done by an industrial electrician who also has the domestic certs for quiet times. If DH didn't have these people's details we'd probably still be waiting on a new boiler. I feel your pain OP, it is hard to get tradespeople.

[WalkingInTheAir13]

PigletJohn and CanadianJohn: I believe that you are so correct regarding the disappearance of apprenticeships. I am old enough to recall when tradesmen worked on a job years ago, they were usually accompanied by young lad who was "learning the trade" and went to "night school" to obtain a recognised qualification in the chosen trade skill.
United4ever: I love your Japanese plumber story - what a star - I would be happy to buy him an airline ticket to come and work for me!! Only joking! ....or am I?

[glassgarden]

good tradespeople are likely to have more work than they need, they are free agents and so can pick and choose which jobs they want to do

saying 'they need to get their act together' because they dont want to work for you, well it sounds as if you think they have some obligation to work for you

[glassgarden]

I have managed to successfully engage builders, plumbers tilers and electricians

if the op cant find anyone willing to work for her maybe it's her and not them?

[Truckingalong]

Seriously glass? Just because someone needs a builder, it makes them a superior twat? Get a grip.

[glassgarden]

One just can't get the staff can one

[MaynJune]

My painter is booked up for months ahead because he's not only excellent at his job, but he responds to messages, gives a realistic estimate of when he can do the job, and turns up on time or keeps us informed.
Over time, and thanks to word-of mouth recommendations or trusted trader sites, I've found some very good tradesmen. Unless it's an emergency I'm happy to wait till they're available and they're happy to come back because I'm easy to work for, appreciative and pay very promptly.
I've experienced far too many, though, who ignore phone messages or come and have a look, say they'll send a quote and that's the last you hear of them. Then you wait and wait for the non-existent quotes and have to start all over again.
It's rubbish to claim they're doing that because of a supercilious attitude of the customer.

[Truckingalong]

Ive had awful work from 2 recommended builders. One has glowing reviews and is very busy and yet did a really shoddy job of laying a floor. Had to insist he came back to put something really glaringly obvious right but even then, it's a badly done job. The other was a personal recommendation from a very particular friend. He quoted 2 weeks and has taken 7 months and the quality of his work is average. He did a bathroom for a friend at the same time and that was also poor. I do However know a great sparky and a plumber in Cheshire if anyone wants a recommendation!

[united4ever]

I remember engaging a plumber in japan. The guy turned up in a shirt and tie. When finished the plumbing he cleaned my bathroom top to bottom and didnt toich his tea until the job was complete. It was certainly different.

[Mottled]

I am also having a problem getting anyone to quote for work that I want doing, most have been honest over the phone and said that I will have to wait x months or they are not interested in the job. I have now got two people interested in the job but am wondering if they are not so good as they seemed so keen!

[didireallysaythat]

Have you tried a larger builders ? They usually have 2-3 guys who just do visits for quotes and have all professions on their books. They will be more expensive but you are paying for their infrastructure, project manager and no one works for free. We got a patio done this way - cost 50% than it should have, but was done within 3 months not 12 months that the smaller builder.

[2nds]

Why is the plumber being Polish important to the story?

[paulapantsdown]

If he decides that he does not want to do a potential job, then he tells the customer he is too busy. He uses a diary and a pen and everything like an educated person like OP!

[paulapantsdown]

If you actually read my post WHOIS, you would have noticed that he would make that decision AFTER meeting the potential customer and looking at the job.

[Coughingchildren5]

I find you need to collect a few jobs to make it worth their while. They don't have the time or inclination to visit your house and chat about a minor piece of work that you might not ask them to do.

[whois]

I suspect the tradespeople who have not got back to you would just prefer not to work for you.

Yeah, I'm sure they can tell than from the 30 sec conversation:
Oh hi, I'm looking to have 3 rooms plastered. Is that something you could do?
Yeah, course love.
Oh great - when would you be able to have a look and quote?
I'll pop round on Friday.
Super, roughly what time?
It'll be the monring.
Brilliant! Thanks so much, see you Friday


No one is saying ALL tradespeople fail to turn up, but it happens way more than when you try to engage any other kind of service.

[Ifailed]

tradesmen


There are women with trades, don't you know?

[Jeremysfavouriteaunt]

I have clients that I don't want to work for, I always let them know that I am unavailable, I like to be professional.

[paulapantsdown]

Sometimes my tradesman DH goes to quote for a job and says 'no way am I working for them' and that person never receives his typed and emailed estimate. Instead he chooses to work for pleasant people who don't look down their noses at him like he was some sort of underclass, instead of the highly skilled intelligent person he actually is.

I suspect the tradespeople who have not got back to you would just prefer not to work for you.

[Jeremysfavouriteaunt]

That's my issue too, no problem with waiting but at least turn up to quote if you have booked a time.