BBC1 Getting the Builders in

[Chris J Dixon]

Anybody else watching this series?

Each programme follows a couple of small household refurbs. Three builders quote for each, one is chosen, and does the job.

Moderately interesting, quite a range of jobs and builders, and some results better than others.

I reckon that the missing bit is getting those who do the job to admit what their actual materials cost and man-hours worked turned out to be, so we could discover if they were simply buying themselves the job, and judge how representative their pricing was.

Chris

[Tim Lamb]

In message , Chris J Dixon writes

Not knowingly. I tend to watch this sort of programme hoping to learn something useful.

My criticism of Grand Designs etc. is that the format is focused on the human interest angle rather than exploring how jobs are managed and what materials are best.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Grand Designs tends to be the least of the offenders in this respect. But sadly every TV producer seems to find it necessary to introduce a 'human interest' thread to all such progs. I'm waiting for one with a amputee war veteran with cancer who is also pregnant although gay, but battles on regardless. Should tick all the boxes in one go.

[Jethro_uk]

I suspect there's a lot more missing that that ...

builders who never turned up to quote, despite assuring you they will be there "later".

builders who turned up, and then never submitted a quote

builders who turned up, submitted a quote that was accepted and then are never actually seen on the job again, except to drop off the "crew" and collect the cash. Always on their mobile to the next job

builders who never quite finish the job, despite having the payment

and that's before the builders who turn up and tell you the last builders were cowboys

Those are some of *my* experiences over the past 15 years.

[JoeJoe]

What about the race one?

[Chris J Dixon]

The programme is a lot more controlled than that. They have several tame teams of builders, whose initial visits are all filmed on the same day. They quote on the spot and are chosen by nightfall.

Chris

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Of course. It would be far too costly to have a camera crew hanging around for when a builder found it convenient to call and quote.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Rule 1. Never pay fully for any job like this until finished. Stage payments for materials, etc are OK with a small firm.

[Nick Odell]

So, next time I need some building work, I should borrow somebody with a light, bubbly, "blond" female voice and ring up:

Hi, This is Reep[1] The Getting the Builders[2] production company. In series two we are changing tap washers/fitting a toilet/painting a ceiling/building an extension at so if you'd like to be on the show, just turn up to quote at 8am tomorrow morning. Thank you!

Nick [1]See what I did there? [2]and there?

[The Natural Philosopher]

In cambridge one can for the first time in decades smell coal being burnt in open fires.

So 'eco friendly'

[The Natural Philosopher]

My criticism of teh whole BBCetc. is that the format is focused on the human interest angle rather than exploring facts.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Grand Designs is Ch4, Turnip. But don't let that stop you having one of your usual pointless rants.

[tim...]

I've only seen a couple of these

but has anybody "negotiated" an alternative to the proposed solutions?

tim

[harry]

There yah go!

JustGoogle "be on TV"

[harry]

Poles. It's normal for them.