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the very worst is saying I am too expensive, when the quality of my work is exceptional and I don’t even earn the minimum wage on most of the jobs I do,
I can identify with that.
14k I 'made' last year 😭
There's a culture of gathering many quotes, which of course I understand on the one hand, but for us as the ones doing the work, just be aware that it takes up a huge amount of our time, unpaid, and that even if you go with someone else, a little note to explain or just to let us know is just really a nice thing to do.
Honestly, I'm so fed up of people not having the courtesy to reply to me when I've gone to the trouble of researching everything needed for their project, produced initial drawings and costed it up and come back to them with everything they need to be put at ease, along with clear evidence of my conscientiousness, only to be.... ghosted. 😐
Clearly they've found someone cheaper,its out of their budget or they've been kidnapped by aliens, but a little note of thanks is helpful and courteous.
Hope you get sorted op
We had this problem trying to get a small en-suite refitted, over two years of trying to line up trades, no-one wanted the work. Ended up get a main contractor in to build extension and refit the entire house over a 6 months. New windows, flooring, heating, electrics, internal woodwork, two bedroom and study extension, sun room, new kitchen. Also got en-suite replaced. Easy, but expensive solution.
It started as a simple extension but our trades were so good we borrowed extra money to get everything that needed doing, or would need doing in the next few years, all done at the same time so we wouldn't have the hassle of getting other work done later.
The problem with that approach is that everything starts getting old/breaking at the same time!
Hmm, on the other foot, I have no work booked in. I've had 3 people/Companies let me down, badly, over the last month. I had a 2 month Contract to inspect and test commercial properties for April and May. I did 4 days, and walked out, as they put me inspecting Social Housing, they had ‘lost the Contract to inspect the commercials’. They lied, they had no contract, they just couldnt get anyone to do the Social Housing, so gave me a made up story so I’d start.
The next one fell in just right, 2 days after I left that, I got a call, we need someone for refitting lighting for a month on railway buildings. OK, I’ll do that. Got a call on the start day, sorry, we’re not going ahead with that now. After I’d spent £100 on orange hi vis kit.
Then, a new house wiring. This was on the back burner for a while,it’d easily be a months works, I’ve done loads for the guy before, he wanted me, the times fell right, so I was going to start. Until 2 days before, when the builder objected, and said he only worked with his own electrician. I’ve since gone to do some work on his old house, and met the electrician the Builder had got. I wouldnt employ him to fit a socket. I can see some problems with that job.
So I’m sat here decorating my house, waiting for phone calls.
I haven't cleaned my glasses yet, but have you managed to find a panther yet?
Would love a panther. Or a leopard 🐆
Why a leotard? That seems to be a bit of a jump from a large cat...
Yep, found a Parthenon thanks, he wants paying in marbles of all things! Result!
Elgin Foch!
And of course trades folk nowadays have to push their gear for a job in a wheelbarrow since all the vans have been bought up by the Enduro warriors and van converters...
All the Enduro warriors and van converters where I live are tradies anyway, so it doesn't make much difference.
Took us over a year to find a builder for our garage.
Too smaller job for them to bother with when there are easy new builds going up everywhere.
Finally got a local one to slot it in between other jobs, because we had plans, approvals & finance all sorted.
He's been great. Picked up some issues with boundaries from the start and a few details in the plans. We know it'll take a bit of time, but I'll soon have a proper shed.
"Touch wood"
There’s a culture of gathering many quotes, which of course I understand on the one hand, but for us as the ones doing the work
I hate getting quotes. Provided the first one sounds reasonable to me, that’s what I’ll go for.