Twitcher Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Has anyone had the same trouble as us? We need an extension building and a new roof.... We phone builders and leave a message to which they don't respond, if we're lucky enough to get thru to a real person they come out (or arrange to come out then don't turn up) and then say they'll send a quote and don't bother sending one. It seems that they don't want the work (in which case say so). We have only had one quote for a roof so far which came in at a ridiculous price. Why is it so hard to get hold of decent tradesmen for a fair price? Too cheap you think they're cowboys and too expensive they're taking the mick. It's very confusing .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattricia Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Has anyone had the same trouble as us? We need an extension building and a new roof.... We phone builders and leave a message to which they don't respond, if we're lucky enough to get thru to a real person they come out (or arrange to come out then don't turn up) and then say they'll send a quote and don't bother sending one. It seems that they don't want the work (in which case say so). We have only had one quote for a roof so far which came in at a ridiculous price. Why is it so hard to get hold of decent tradesmen for a fair price? Too cheap you think they're cowboys and too expensive they're taking the mick. It's very confusing .... Builders, plumbers,electricians,joiners,plasterers & tilers are all absolutely pulled out with work.So many people are having extensions done,that they are booked up months in advance.Also sometimes when they arrange to come out to look , the people have gone out & time is money to them.They are just not training apprentices now like they did years ago,so there is a shortage of qualified men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoop Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 I'm having the same problem. I wouldn't mind booking work months in advance, but I can't even get them to come and look at the job. I managed to speak to one in the flesh recently, he said he was coming round during the week, guess what, he didn't come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
never wrong Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 everybody is told to get three or more estimates that explains why they dont come if they have sufficent work from recommendations why should they bother to come and at best only get one in three jobs. and to prepare a decent estimate probably take three or four hours if you are lucky remember if they dont like your tone on the phone they wont turn up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipskap Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 The housing market is forcing many people to extend rather than move. Builders are reaping the benefits of this. Word of advice, if getting a quote also get some sort of garuntee as to how long the job will take. If necessary draw up a 'contract' with a clause if the work is not completed on time. many builders are starting jobs then moving on to more lucrative projects before the work is complete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 .... remember if they dont like your tone on the phone they wont turn up that's always my advice (before anybody thinks never wrong is wrong again ) Be business like. Be decisive. Jobs with women who change their mind half way through have a habit of over running, which doesn't work well with a full diary or the bank balance on a fixed price job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kretschmer Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Everything is too much for them. ££££ing Plasterers are the worst. Take ages to come, don't come back when cracks appear and charge a fortune for sod all work. £££ing Tricians are next, tell good stories about how dangerous this and that is "good job you called me out kid, the house would have burnt down tomorrow if..." £££ing Plumbers, wouldn't give them the steam off my s***, everything is too much for them. Last one we had moaned about how little room there was in the bathroom. I asked him if I should knock the piggin wall down for him. That confused him but it shut him up. Builders---Wanted some garden work last year. Told it would cost £800. Bought stuff myself for £120 including delivery and took my time, built a patio + retaining wall, saved £680. Bought a new PC with the difference. Didn't go to PC World either, also rip off merchants. PC World price £895, Redrat Computer fair price £495. Why do we put up with it? Because we can't all do it ourselves and these parasites know that and are virtually holding the country at ransom. Shoddy work included. For Tradesmen read Con Men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 *adds Kretschmer to list of people to warn our resident tradesmen about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
never wrong Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Everything is too much for them. ££££ing Plasterers are the worst. Take ages to come, don't come back when cracks appear and charge a fortune for sod all work. £££ing Tricians are next, tell good stories about how dangerous this and that is "good job you called me out kid, the house would have burnt down tomorrow if..." £££ing Plumbers, wouldn't give them the steam off my s***, everything is too much for them. Last one we had moaned about how little room there was in the bathroom. I asked him if I should knock the piggin wall down for him. That confused him but it shut him up. Builders---Wanted some garden work last year. Told it would cost £800. Bought stuff myself for £120 including delivery and took my time, built a patio + retaining wall, saved £680. Bought a new PC with the difference. Didn't go to PC World either, also rip off merchants. PC World price £895, Redrat Computer fair price £495. Why do we put up with it? Because we can't all do it ourselves and these parasites know that and are virtually holding the country at ransom. Shoddy work included. For Tradesmen read Con Men. I would personally say that for every bad tradesmen there are many good ones cannot put a figure but at arough guess 99% would not be far out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kretschmer Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 Aw don't. How am I going to get ripped off now..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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