Why can't I fidn a builder who actually wants the work?

[whatdayisit]

We have a pretty average sized house, where originally there was a separate living and dining room. The previous owners removed the dividing wall and built and extension on the dining room, so the dining room part is now over 20 ft long.

I want to put the wall back up, to make a cosy living room area and make the dining room section a kind of family room, so Dc's clutter and noise can be shut out of the living room iyswim.

Whole area will then need re-plastering as it has nasty aretex (sp?)on atm and we have been re-wired, which has made a mess of the walls and ceiling.

I have now had 5 people come to have a look and not one of them has got back to me with a price. When I (reluctantly) chase them up they say oh yes I'll drop it round today, but never do. We are in the South East, so it has always been difficult, but I thought builder were finding work hard to come by atm. What am I doing wrong?

We had the same problem with our extension plans. We gave up and went for a conservatory instead.

Maybe job not big enough for the people you have had around? Sounds like it is a day or 2 of carpentry and then some plastering. Plasterers not that short of work. I think it is the bigger jobs not happening at the moment (ie developers).

1. They may be busy and don't have time to do the quote.

1. The job may not have enough profit in it.

1. Have you got a budget and have you told them it? If the budget you have got falls massively short of the actual cost they may not bother to do the quote.

Ilike - I get that they can already have loads of work and be too busy - but why don't they just say so. They took the trouble to come and look at it.

No I haven't told anyone what the budget is (they haven't asked). It's getting to the point where I'd almost pay any price.

I know it's not a massive job, but it's not that small either. In discussions with builders they reckon about a week. Wouldn't they like a small indoor job that can be fitted in at their convenience when it's raining?

I have no idea why they don't just say they don't want it. Confront them (in a non-confrontational kind of way!) and see what they say.

Have you tried placing the work you want doing on ratedpeople.com, we've had people turn up and quote having done that and we're in the SE too.

Thanks for that CarGirl - I hadn't heard of it, will have a look.

www.checkatrade.com has been good for me in London - we got a lovely chap to plaster 2 rooms for us. Rarely have I been so happy to write a cheque for £500!