Why is it hard to get work done?

[Themidnightcircus]

We want to do work to our house. Full roof off extension, kitchen including knocking down walls.and putting in patio door and all the internal doors in house changed.
We cannot get anyone to turn up nevermind actually quote.
We are in a smallish Scottish town.
Do tradesman not want big jobs? I could understand if I was only wanting a shelf put up but I'm talking about weeks of work.
My dad was a tradesman and he'd always just be honest if he wasn't interested in a job... I've had 2 guys round and both have disappeared after making encouraging noises. Argh

Try one of the internet my builder style websites or local Facebook site. Good place to start .

If it's anything like round us, they're all just incredibly busy. I called at least 13 people and only ended up with two quotes. Three others promised them and then vanished, quite a few didn't come at all. I would ask - do you have proper plans/a scope of works drawn up? Our eventual builder admitted that when it's really busy he doesn't bother with difficult quotes (I.e. not really enough information to be easily put together and accurate). I found that having a complete tender package ready at least convinced people that we were ready to proceed.

Yes we've had an architect do drawings which is why I'm desperate to get on😁
I certainly do think they're busy... still I'd hoped to be able to compare quoyes etc.... at this rate I'll bite the hand off the first builder with a pulse.

Have you asked your architect for recommendations? If they are local they can probably guide you to someone reliable. However, a good builder will not be sitting idle waiting for work, so it may be a case of booking it in and waiting.

It was the first builder we saw who put us onto the architect...we got the drawings and he said he'd be back but no joy.
I've been telling them we're in no rush...we would wait for the right guy.
Maybe that's been the mistake?