Are you finding it difficult getting tradesmen to perform small jobs around the house these days??

Question

We've been waiting almost 2 months to have a rear door handle raised. No-one seems to want to fit a roller-door to our garage either. The town is short on tradesmen.

Answer 1

Oh yes, set up appointments and he doesn't show up. Others will come, say will send an estimate--no estimate received. Had a small hole in roof, a roofer showed up without a ladder, said would return in a few days--never saw him again.My town is overloaded with tradesmen. Problem is getting one to work and even willing to pay any price, can't do repairs anymore with one hand.

Answer 2

There's more to what's happening then most people think about. First, the union carpenters had to first go through a training period to be taught the basics. The carpenter's unions in most towns/cities have disappeared. Second, the school systems used to teach vocational trades. Where I presently live, the school used to construct a new house every year, but now they don't. They don't even have shop or drafting anymore. That's why we have so many Hispanics coming into the construction related fields. It's out of necessity. Third, all the trades are specialized now and they are not very diverse in their skills. Finally, for the few who still possess a diversity of trade abilities, they run into people who don't want to pay enough money to justify fooling with them. Let's face it, the diversity of their abilities means they need more tools then the average trade worker. When I give people a price, they just can't believe it costs so much. Well, it costs a lot to pay your normal living expenses plus purchase trucks, tools, insurance, etc. Supply only meets demand when it pays enough money to be attractive. Right now there is too much work on new construction jobs in most parts of the country to worry about working for fickle people who don't really want to pay much money.

Answer 3

it is hard to find a company or individual these days and weather is a factor with a roofing job/repairs. i have gone on repair jobs where the homeowners need a new roof but only want to patch it so they can save up to replace it. the next year, i get a call and they need another patch because they still don't want to replace it. the third year i said i couldn't do it anymore because it was getting to be more of a major job since anything i touched that was near the repair was crumbling. and it is hard for contractors to find help now, too. we hired a kid and he worked until 11:30 lunch break, then quit because he was sweating too much!! try looking for a handyman at the local laundromat, supermarket, hardware store, there might be a bulletin board or lead at these places. check the local flyer type newspaper too. good luck.

Answer 4

as a tradesmen myself, sad but true we do tend to take on the bigger jobs first because we make more money. for jobs like your talking about your best bet is a handyman. those guys live for the small jobs and normally charge$25-$35 an hr.
there are lots of handymen in any town look on craigslist or post on there you need one youll get a few calls. or try a bulletin board at a small diner or hardware store.
I call those small jobs when I got nothing else going on because I still got to pay the mortgage and my baby gots to eat!

Answer 5

What a horrid situation! It is really sad to know that so many people still think like this. Did the parents know that you are wiccan before she came to work there, or is your religion common knowledge at work? I am just shocked that she would be allowed to work with an "evil devil worshiper". If her parents are so brainwashed to tell their child that you are going to hex, or poison her I dont understand their letting her be in any contact with you. I really feel sorry for the girl in all this. She must be terrified of you! My suggestion is to simply leave things alone. Continue to act as you normally would if she were anyone else. Be nice, speak to her as you would any other co-worker. Perhaps she will see that you are not the demon her parents paint you to be. But if you try to talk to her about it, I am sure it will cause trouble. Thats a sure way for her to say that you are trying to "possess" her or some other nonsense. Bright Blessings

Answer 6

Short of tradesmen or, not willing to pay the price?

I went into the Real Estate business and the rental/lease maintenance business with contracts years ago because of this. I'm guaranteed a paycheck, no court lawsuits, no insurance or Workman's compensation claims, etc. So, you see, it's society that's doing it.

I was plagued with collecting money years ago, I spent as much time trying to collecting what I earned as I worked. And, as much time in court with legalities and claims. It wasn't worth it. I let the newbies coming into the trade do this "dirty" work. I went into contract work with the bigger Real-Estate companies along with many of my friends.

Many people didn't realize I paid as much for bread as they did, as much for gasoline as they did. When I went to their house at three in the morning when it was ten above zero, their furnace was out, and then I had to fight to get my money, it wasn't worth it.
I missed Thanksgiving dinners to put thermostats in other peoples ovens, missed Christmas suppers to unplug toilets only to be "stiffed" so, I can understand the missing tradesmen. They got smart.

Answer 7

Sounds like you live in a small town,too. I live out in the middle of nowhere,Kansas,and you can't find hardly anybody to do anything,other than farm or cowboy.
Go down to the local senior center,and ask around - I'll bet they can turn you on to some good reliable handymen.

Answer 8

I have had good experience with www.servicemagic.com

Put in your zip and what you want and the guys come up. They are rated like ebay so you can see good ratings and bad ratings.

I have had the same experience and know that if a bigger higher paying job comes up, they do not show up for little ones.It is rude but they do need to pay their bills.

Answer 9

Look around for someone who specializes in "odd jobs". If your area gets a "pennysaver" type newspaper once a week, check the ads & see if there's anyone local who does small stuff. Jack-Of-All-Trades people are still around...-you just have to look for them, cuz they're usually pretty busy. :)

Answer 10

I'd suggest that you get a list of repairs together, then hire someone for a full days work. it's hard to get a guy to come out for an hour job. make a list and give them a good days work. they will show up for that. good luck.