Why is it such a nightmare to hire builders, plumbers, electricians, etc.,?

Question

Why is it so hard to find trouble free trades men in the UK? I have to watch their every move in order to get things done correctly. They are not aware of building regulations and overlook things.
Maybe, TESCO or B&Q can train truely skillful tradesmen and sell their services at very reasonable prices..

Answer 1

Do you really think B&Q could solve this problem, they can't even train their own staff!!!
If the solution was that easy do you not think someone would have done it? If the Goverment hadn't made such a mess of the construction industry years ago there wouldn't be a problem now. There is a major skills shortage that is why you have problems, but if you feel going to tescos and picking a tradesman of the shelf is the answer on you go.
It's hard to get a dentist in this country, maybe Boots and Tescos could train some!!!!

Answer 2

Such companies do exist but they usually work for big landlords or main contractors for the constant work. Just check the individuals credentials & references and by rights would only have to check their work at the end of the day. Trust me even in the construction sector work is still checked, 'snagged' & nightmares happen like you wouldn't beleive. Mainly your find the trouble is not the tradesmen but the nature of the work. i.e. nature of the beast. Your telling me big contractors who've been building 4 yrs on multi million pound projects go over budget & time because they are not skilled in what they do? B&Q do use trained tradesmen to install kitchens / bathrooms, but if you want to pay an extra £3,000 4 the privaledge go ahead. Or British gas £6,000 rather than £3,000 go right ahead they use the same guys out of the papers.

Answer 3

It's not a nightmare if you act as you should expect to be treat: i.e. like the customer, the person in charge, the tradesmans bread and butter!

What you could do is ask a worker for some independent references, ask to see an example of work they have done in the past, ask for a quote, ask how long the job will take and by what day/date it will be completed, ask what happens if they don't complete on time - for example, how much will they reduce the bill by. Don't ever pay cash up front. You don't ever have to pay cash first, so don't. And if the tradesman is not willing to comply with the above, you politely advise them you'll be going somewhere else. Plenty of tradesmen will do the above, so give at least some of this a go.

Answer 4

My SIL is a plumber. But in answer to your question, it's a lot to do with the manual nature of the jobs - women are far more prone to prolapses due to prolonged exposure to heavy lifting and bending. SIL knows she'll have to look for something less strenuous in the future. ETA: Excuse me? Steaming pile? Before I'm accused of sexism, which I'm sure is next, I'm female. Many of the jobs in the industries you describe are lone work/ 2 man teams, so there is no option to 'pull together'. Much of it is to do with choice. How can the sexism card be played when many trades are self employed, and therefore source their own work. I, personally, don't want to be working on a muddy building site in the rain, or crawling through attics and floorboards whilst laying cables. I've worked in Telecoms for years, and have NEVER had the urge to train up for the tools.

Answer 5

We are just trying to earn a living like everyone else, I must admit they are loads of cowboys out there that see people as victims not customers.

I always treat other peoples of homes as I would treat my own

I get the odd shocked customer when I get the hoover out, the other day I went to a house to fit some new doors and they had dust sheeted the entire house because of the mess the last tradesperson had made. They were thrilled when I explained that I do all the cutting outside and the house would need a light clean that I'll take care of once I've finished hence the £40 tip ;-)

Answer 6

i am from the US but have to say that problem is everywhere. i have been a home builder for over 20 years and i have learned 1 thing about crappy service in my field. the homeowner is looking to the cheapest bid taken and that is just plain silly. the highest prices are not always the great ones either. sure they may do a great job, but there are alot of very skilled men in the "middle" price range. get off of your butt and go see the workmanship your going to pay for. if they cannot show you any then you probably don't want to use them. not doing this will get someone like me anyway and you eventually pay double for something you could have avoided with a few request. good luck and i hope this helps

Answer 7

just make sure you go to a reputable builder and keep away from cowboys but always remember you get what you pay for ! readies shoddy job ! legit way a good job and a come back///and let me inform you the guvnor will have full knowledge of all building regs

Answer 8

That's a good idea. Maybe Branson could start Virgin Trades or something.

Generally, I have found that quality of workmanship and customer service are sadly lacking, but prices are sky high.

I don't know of any Polish tradesmen in my area, but if I did, I'd hire them.

Answer 9

It appears to me that yoy yourself know f-all about building regulations, based on your previous questions....

Householders employ trades to do work that they lack the skills, knowledge, and/or time for. IF you don't want to pay for that, then you can always DIY. Nothing other than time, skills, knowledge and experience is stopping you.

There's more than enough work out there for me thanks...

Answer 10

you hire them out because you cant do the job yourself, they know this and charge what they like because of it.
they also know that your going to have to trust what they say is wrong and often overcharge.