Unreliable Builders!

[afromom]

Please tell me it's not just me who is finding the whole renovation experience a bloody nightmare!

We are right at the beginning of the journey organising for builders to come out and quote for the work. The companies seem to be mainly small firms round here, which I am happy to support, but....

We have spoken with 8 builders, so far we have met 2!

1. Called to rearrange - rearranged date he then called to say he had organised to have a tattoo and forgotten the appointment
2. Message to rearrange - on rearranged date heard nothing and after contacting him 'oh sorry I'm ill'
3. Turned up - but 2 hrs late (after we had rushed home from work)
4. Arranged a Sunday meeting, when he hadn't confirmed time by Saturday I called - couldn't come and rearranged for the following Thursday - on Thursday he cancelled
5. Turned up this morning - he can't do half the things we want him to do (no electrician, no plasterer, wants to tile over the current tiles rather than take off and lay new ones)
6. Arrived 1/2 hr early (before we got home from work) and emailed saying he'd arrived early and we weren't in, he's going home and wants to rearrange for next week

7 & 8. Due out on Tuesday - if they ever turn up 😩

I feel like giving up before we've even started! Any tips to find reliable trades people???

Nope do not even consider builders 1-6. At all. Are these builders recommended by friends or relatives? That really is the best way to go. Also how large is your build? Sometimes, if they're busy, they can't be arsed with what they consider 'small builds'. But honestly if a friend could recommend someone that is the best way to go.

Any that have cancelled twice have been written off, I'm just running out of ideas for who to ask now! Three were recommended by family (one of those is still to come out next week, another was the one who can't do half the job).
The others were from 'my builder' online, I guessed if they were to respond to my job post they were more likely to be interested. We haven't cold called anyone.
It's a bathroom refit and garage conversion this year (with a kitchen knocking through and refit next year) so not massive or any major building work, but not a tiny job either. So frustrating!