Rant on

[Andrew Gabriel]

I've recounted this before, but a friend had same problem. He was having a substantial extension built (which has probably doubled the size of the house) and some relayout of the existing house done. 3 years ago when he first started talking to builders, he asked if he could do the electrical and plumbing himself, and the answer was 'no', or at least, he wasn't going to get anything knocked off the price. When he finally got a builder earlier this year, that had all changed. When he asked the same question, the builder jumped at the chance -- he said he knew he wouldn't be able to find an electrician or plumber which was going to be a real problem getting the extension completed. Anyway, my friend did all the plumbing and electrical including moving the boiler. The builder helped out by supplying core borers and other tools as and when needed -- I think he was really pleased he wasn't having to deal with plumbers and electricians.

Over the last 5 years, I've probably had some 5 or so jobs which I've tried to get tradesmen in to do. Every time, it's involved phoning some ~10 tradesmen. On 3 occations I actually managed to get someone round to look at the job. Only ever got one quote, and the work done really wasn't very good (not up to the standard I could do it, but done much faster). I DIY pretty much everything now -- trying to get tradesmen is a big waste of time.

[stuart noble]

IME this is not so much that they're in great demand, more that they're incapable of finishing anything. The tangled web they create becomes a full time job in itself.

[mark]

In message , Andrew Gabriel writes

:(

As part of 'the trade' I find the fact that this (accurate mostly) generalisation exists. For the record; I answer every message that is left on our answering machine within a day or so. I ask the enquirer for a brief description of the work, where it is, when they envisage having it done and how soon they need a quote. If those criteria are met to our mutual satisfaction then I go to quote. The problem at the moment is that we are so busy people don't want to wait weeks for a quote and months before we can carry out the work. (At the moment I'm running a 7 week lead on quotes and work is getting booked in for next June). One problem that arises from long lead times is the accumulation of delays and snags, which cant be foreseen; on jobs we have in hand. This can leave someone who booked 8 months ahead finding that their actual start date ends up 3 month later than I had indicated.

BUT!

We ring them up and keep them posted. As soon as we know we can't make the planned date (and we can tell months ahead usually) we ring up. I always point out that if we were on their job and we had a snag that extended the job but left at the appointed time to start another job, leaving their job unfinished; they wouldn't be happy. So far I haven't lost a job through explaining myself.

Plumbers don't seem to have this facility :(

[Pete C]

On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 12:10:18 +0100, "stuart noble"

Hi,

Maybe plan the job yourself, and get them to do a self contained days worth at a time. Similar problems happen with late IT projects, where different people doing bits in an unplanned way make it hard to improve progress.

cheers, Pete.

[Ed Sirett]

Funny you shold say that. I'm seriously thinking of clearly stating that preference is going to be given to customers who are prepared book, discuss and pay online. This does work against older people, though.

[Andy Hall]

Yes and no. There's an increasing number of silver surfers, although I think it's easier for them when there's a younger family member to help and encourage them. For anybody not as mobile as they used to be, on line banking and shopping with delivery is a huge benefit.

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[mark]

In message , Pecanfan writes

We already do this on a fairly regular basis; strangely it doesn't seem to impact on our business at all. In fact, if the customer goes away and does the job with our advice in mind and finds the advice is good; it means they know we know what we're talking about. :~)

Indeed. I'd quite happily do everything by e-mail. Even the bricklaying. :)

[Huge]

My parents (72 & 75) are very active online. Using email to keep in touch is invaluable.

[Pete C]

Hi,

Talking of older folk what's happened to Mrs Fisher?

cheers, Pete,