Teach me how to find decent tradespeople

[pattihews]

I've asked around locally and I've tried calling the roofers/ plasterers/ general builders/ carpenters recommended by neighbours and friends in the area. Most haven't responded and if they have it's to say they're booked for the next 6-12 months. Even the emergency roofing company I've contacted won't be able to sort out the leaky roof till the new year.

I've tried three general maintenance companies who have a bank of trades and two have come round to look at what's needed. One said there was more work than he'd anticipated and I'd have to find my own carpenter. The other said that there wasn't really enough work and it would be a very bitty process, sorting the roof and then the repairs to the ceiling and then the replastering. He then offered to do the exterior work — a small area of rendering and sorting out guttering and repainting (about 10 sq m) for £12K!

I have a friend who says that because I'm a woman of a certain age male tradespeople will steer clear because of the 'neurotic woman time-waster' stigma. I can't change sex.

I've had awful experiences with Check-a-Trade and similar in the past: horrible memories of having to deal with an angry Hungarian Check-a-trade 'plumber' who turned up without tools and wanted to charge me for fixing a serious leak with a bit of tape. Also still smarting after being taken for a fool by the guy who laid some garden paving for me a few years ago and charged me nearly three times what he charged the people in the next road who'd recommended him.

Women, how do you do it? Where do you look? How do you a) get them to respond to you, b) get them to come and price up, c) check whether they're any good? Prices are so ridiculous at the moment that it's difficult to know for certain at times whether you're being ripped off.

I imagine it depends on the type pf person you're trying to reach, but personally I have had so much more success when I've emailed them rather than phoned. I don't actually like telephoning myself anyway, so I tend to email - and that works well.

The thing about email is that they can answer you when they've actually got the time to give the matter proper thought. If you ring when they're in the middle of something else, they'll be distracted and potentially irritated. With email you can attach a couple of photos too, right from the start.

What county are you in OP? Just wondering if anyone here can point you in the right direction to get started? We've found it tricky too to get people round to quote but I think we're up and running now!

If you have lots of little jobs to do by lots of different tradespeople, that is going to be harder. The job has to be worth someone’s while basically.

Anyway here’s what’s worked for me:

• asking for recommendations from people who’ve had work done recently. If the people they recommend aren’t free, would they recommend anyone?
• facebook / local groups but take these with a pinch of salt, people will recommend themselves. But it’s somewhere to start and at least you’ll find local people willing to take on the work.
• do you know any architects? Ask them for recommendations.
• I’ve had much better experiences with people who come and quote and will do the work themselves compared to bigger firms with a team for quoting/sales and different people who will do the work.
• persistence. There’s a shortage of tradespeople. You’ll have to be patient. If someone you like can book you in for 3 months time, take it - they might fit you in sooner if it’s just a small job and they’ll be in the area around then etc, you might get lucky.
• recommendations from other tradespeople you trust will also be invaluable.
• with your roof, if it’s a small job of fixing some tiles for now, does it need to be the absolute best and most recommended local roofer? Be pragmatic about it, go for someone that seems decent that you get on with, seems reasonable and keen to do the work.

Good luck!