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Why do builders not show?

12 replies

slfk3 · 26/01/2021 19:18

So two winters ago arranged for our crappy single skin utility room to be knocked down and an extension built to replace it, job was to start in May. Lockdown happened and builder took on other jobs and was delayed and after my asking him when he would come he said September. September came and went and he said he'd start November to which we said no given weather and doubts he'd actually even start then.
So found another builder, recommended by a friend, he came, quoted, seemed good, detailed etc and we agreed he would start second week of January as the room had begun to leak. I emailed end of December to check in as we need to empty the room first but heard nothing, gave it a week and tried a text, nothing. Start date came and went and still nothing so began worrying poor guy has covid and began to look for third builder.
Just saw second chap posting pictures of his current job online, still have heard nothing from him. It's a 40k job so would think it's worthwhile, simple flat roof job so nothing tricky.
I feel so knocked by this I have no faith the next builder will show but need the job done. Why don't builders show up? Why don't they say they don't want to or are running late? Second guy is clearly on a new job so it's not something that has run over...ugh.

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 26/01/2021 19:21

Why don’t they show to quote
Why don’t they quote once they’ve been round
Why don’t they turn up for the job

I hate workmen every single one of them, puts me off doing so many jobs I have the money to do.

Oh sorry OP no answers!

Bluemoon94 · 26/01/2021 19:33

Depending where you are I can recommend fantastic builder!

slfk3 · 26/01/2021 19:36

Suffolk...there was a post the other day of some Londoner wanting nice east anglian towns for a second home and how she was going to offset her second home purchase impact on the locals by employing a local builder and I thought "good luck with that!"

OP posts:
StephenBelafonte · 26/01/2021 19:37

I'm a carer. Can you imagine if I decided not to show up for a job?

GreySkyClouds · 26/01/2021 19:53

Sounds like they don’t want for the job for some reason.

whataboutbob · 26/01/2021 20:00

@StephenBelafonte I have had a plumber not turn up, bullshit me he’d done the work (counting on the fact that it wouldn’t know any better because it was my rental flat and I lived in a different city and it was over Christmas) ; AND then ask for the money. That was the giddy limit.

slfk3 · 26/01/2021 20:00

If they don't want the job then why do they quote and send a date, why not just come up with an excuse or be honest? It feels like they want it and then get offered an easier/better job and haven't the manners to say. I work in commercial property and can't see what about the job would put anyone off, and I don't have enough interaction with them after they quote and agree a date to think I've somehow put them off...oh well. Maybe third time lucky.

OP posts:
GreySkyClouds · 26/01/2021 20:19

@slfk3

If they don't want the job then why do they quote and send a date, why not just come up with an excuse or be honest? It feels like they want it and then get offered an easier/better job and haven't the manners to say. I work in commercial property and can't see what about the job would put anyone off, and I don't have enough interaction with them after they quote and agree a date to think I've somehow put them off...oh well. Maybe third time lucky.
My understanding is that it’s to avoid direct confrontation with you.

I agree though, it’s crap!

dewisant2020 · 26/01/2021 20:22

I can't stand dealing with any tradesmen, it always puts me off doing any work around the house as they are so unreliable.
I really wish they were honest and said they either don't want to do the job or agree to do the job and bloody do it

Eleoura · 26/01/2021 20:24

I'm going through similar OP. Either no quote arrives, its so ridiculous high or vague I assume they dont want to job or they never show. I actually found this worse in my last home than the current one.

If possible, get word of mouth recommendations from friends or neighbours. Alot of my current workmen have provided excellent recommendations for other services/friends of theirs. If I trust the inital trader, and used them a few times, then generally their recommendations are good too.

I have used nextdoor.com when I didnt know anyone in the area. This provided mixed, but mainly positive results. I'd never used trust a trade or similar though!

butterry · 26/01/2021 20:32

It's terrible behaviour isn't it, they would never get away with being so rude and unprofessional in a different industry. Unfortunately I have found in my experience it's the self-employed or smaller family businesses that have no one to answer to except themselves that do this. It's sad because I always prefer to seek out and support a smaller, independent business! In the end it seems to me a bit more expensive but much more reliable to go with a bigger company where there is a hierarchy and someone to complain to further along the chain of command.

jillandhersprite · 26/01/2021 20:44

This is why my house is from the 80's!!!
Husband is very (very) slowly doing everything himself because tradesmen seem to only want to do it if they are making an exorbitant profit on it. Jobs that are a reasonable price and only make a normal profit get shifted when they find a mug that they can fleece...

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