Question for tradespeople

[Nalis]

Whats the best way of getting people to do stuff at your house and not no show most days?

 

I'm an honest nice guy who tries not to be pushy and gets ignored when chasing. Its not in my nature to go full cvnt. 

 

Got to be some tricks of the trade people want to share to get builders to do shit. I dont live in Leicestershire so I promise I wont use these on you 

[winteriscoming]

Apparently O’Reilly in the Torquay area is highly recommended and cheap……

[davieG]

Don't use email as they never answer them. I've sent 3 out last week to roofers not had one replay. Many don't answer their phones either. I just assume they are so busy they're not looking for any more jobs.

 

I had lawn laid and the roof/gutters/soffits done and they were both crap jobs. The lawn guy didn't clear and prepare before laying the lawn which also looks like field grass so weeds and old plants/flowers are coming through. The roof guy failed to deliver my 2 year warranty and can't be contacted.

[splinterdream]

There are just some tradespeople that are arseholes, and totally untrustworthy, doesn't matter how you act. I'm a gas engineer and genuinely do my best for the customer, and have a good reputation as a result. I've had some trades in my houses over time, and some have been shocking, and I've probably been way too nice and they've given me the door mat treatment 

[Parafox]

50 minutes ago, davieG said:

Don't use email as they never answer them. I've sent 3 out last week to roofers not had one replay. Many don't answer their phones either. I just assume they are so busy they're not looking for any more jobs.

 

I had lawn laid and the roof/gutters/soffits done and they were both crap jobs. The lawn guy didn't clear and prepare before laying the lawn which also looks like field grass so weeds and old plants/flowers are coming through. The roof guy failed to deliver my 2 year warranty and can't be contacted.

 

Any reputable contractor however small should be building the basis of their clientele by being honest and reputable.

 

So they won't answer emails or texts or phone calls?

 

Sadly there's so many that are untraceable once the crap work has been done.

 

I think we know, generally, their minority ethnic group.

 

Word of mouth, if you have the access, is the best way forward.

[davieG]

3 minutes ago, Parafox said:

I think we know, generally, their minority ethnic group.

i don't understand that.

[Parafox]

5 minutes ago, davieG said:

i don't understand that.

Well I'm not risking a ban by going into detail.

[Paninistickers]

1 hour ago, Nalis said:

Whats the best way of getting people to do stuff at your house and not no show most days?

 

I'm an honest nice guy who tries not to be pushy and gets ignored when chasing. Its not in my nature to go full cvnt. 

 

Got to be some tricks of the trade people want to share to get builders to do shit. I dont live in Leicestershire so I promise I wont use these on you 

Good question.

 

I communicate via text. So there's a paper trail as it were and I can see if they are ignoring me.. Somehow, I've found you need to give off an air that you can take it or leave it. 

 

Firm, unemotional texts along the lines of 'can confirm that all good for Tuesday 9am start, as I need to coordinate with tiler/electrician/plasterer' that type of stuff seems to work more often than not. 

 

If they look like trouble, a quick voicemail backed up by a text that you 'need a firm yes or no by tomorrow' - no threat, just an implied fck it, you've had your chance if they don't reply 

[FoxesTez]

Don’t pay until job done!

[Trav Le Bleu]

57 minutes ago, Parafox said:

 

Any reputable contractor however small should be building the basis of their clientele by being honest and reputable.

 

So they won't answer emails or texts or phone calls?

 

Sadly there's so many that are untraceable once the crap work has been done.

 

I think we know, generally, their minority ethnic group.

 

Word of mouth, if you have the access, is the best way forward.

I either use someone who comes recommended by a friend or who works out of a known location (ie, has an office that can be called on, rather than just a mobile and email).

 

Fortunately I have lots of family and friends who are good at practical trades and can usually point me in the right direction when I need someone more specialist.

 

One thing that counts big for me is a willingness to comeback and fix little (but reasonable) niggles after the job is completed. I don't expect perfection, but generally I've found tradesmen who take pride in their work and want it to be spot on, even if that means calling back for free.

 

It's the old maxim, you get what you pay for, though their are people who try to charge too much for the job, but do it properly, as opposed to people who charge low, but do a poor job. Often it's best to get a few quotes and plump for somewhere in the middle.

[VLC86]

I’d put a strategic trail of Page 3 rip outs to loop out of the front door and back in personally.

[danny.]

3 hours ago, Parafox said:

 

Any reputable contractor however small should be building the basis of their clientele by being honest and reputable.

 

So they won't answer emails or texts or phone calls?

 

Sadly there's so many that are untraceable once the crap work has been done.

 

I think we know, generally, their minority ethnic group.

 

Word of mouth, if you have the access, is the best way forward.

I’ve got to pick up on that. I don’t have a massive experience with minority ethnic trades other than some windows we had done by an Asian company. They did a terrible job and didn’t speak English on site including in front of us and I was fairly sure it wasn’t great stuff they were saying from their facial expressions and body language. They hated me pointing out the work that was wrong (and it really was bad, like 5cm out in measurements and bodged out of plumb and square to fit). 
 

BUT, the next set of windows we had were all white trades people. They were awful. They came recommended and were so bad they took 14 months snagging, had to replace some windows and doors three times because they couldn’t use a tape measure and actually went out of business shortly after they finished at ours presumably because they sucked at installing windows and wasted so much money everywhere. 
 

I’ve used plasterers, electricians, joiners, plumbers etc who have been white and all shockingly bad at their trades. 
 

It’s not a race thing, the quality of trades in the U.K. is just abysmal. I’m sure some are great but the majority want £500/day for 5 hours of garbage work. Best to do stuff yourself if physically able. 

Edited 18 November 2025 by danny.
Can’t spell

[Izzy]

4 hours ago, Nalis said:

Whats the best way of getting people to do stuff at your house and not no show most days?

 

I'm an honest nice guy who tries not to be pushy and gets ignored when chasing. Its not in my nature to go full cvnt. 

 

Got to be some tricks of the trade people want to share to get builders to do shit. I dont live in Leicestershire so I promise I wont use these on you 

We’ve been renovating our house for the last 5 months and I’ve had at least a dozen different tradesmen in that time coming and going - all brought in and co-ordinated by the builder who’s project managing everything.

 

I’ve been fortunate to take the time off work to be here permanently and oversee everything and only had one no show so far (genuine illness)

 

I’ve found the best way to get them all to do shit is keep them constantly fed and watered. The kettle is permanently on and I know exactly how they all take their tea and coffee.

 

I also make them all bacon baps at lunch time and always offer chocolate and biscuits.

 

All this plus putting on thier favourite tunes and talking football all day means I think they all genuinely like being here.

[Izzy]

And I find that if you go out your way to make an effort to look after these guys and show appreciation for their work, they go the extra mile and sometimes do a few added bits as unpaid favours in return.

 

Treat tradesmen with respect and they’ll reciprocate in my experience. 

[Stadt]

Your mileage may vary but firms rather than one man bands have more of a reputation to uphold - i.e they have reviews and a social media presence so can’t get away with fobbing you off.

 

Theres plenty of good sole traders out there but it’s far easy to hide as a shit one.

[davieG]

6 minutes ago, Izzy said:

And I find that if you go out your way to make an effort to look after these guys and show appreciation for their work, they go the extra mile and sometimes do a few added bits as unpaid favours in return.

 

Treat tradesmen with respect and they’ll reciprocate in my experience. 

Still a bit hit and miss, I've done that even the bacon sarnies and they have been fine but there's been other jobs where I've done similar and they've been awful. But still your best chance of getting a decent job done.

[davieG]

14 minutes ago, danny. said:

I’ve got to pick up on that. I don’t have a massive experience with minority ethnic trades other than some windows we had done by an Asian company. They did a terrible job and didn’t speak English on site including in front of us and I was fairly sure it wasn’t great stuff they were saying from their facial expressions and body language. They hated me pointing out the work that was wrong (and it really was bad, like 5cm out in measurements and bodged out of plumb and square to fit). 
 

BUT, the next set of windows we had were all white trades people. They were awful. They came recommended and were so bad they took 14 months snagging, had to replace some windows and doors three times because they couldn’t use a tape measure and actually went out of business shortly after they finished at ours presumably because they sucked at installing windows and wasted so much money everywhere. 
 

I’ve used plasterers, electricians, joiners, plumbers etc who have been white and all shockingly bad at their trades. 
 

It’s not a race thing, the quality of trades in the U.K. is just abysmal. I’m sure some are great but the majority want £500/day for 5 hours of garbage work. Best to do stuff yourself if physically able. 

The two I mentioned above were both white one in his 30s and the other late 40s

[Grebfromgrebland]

As @Izzy is doing get a builder to project manage the job and it will run more smoothly. It'll cost a bit more but it's far less hassle and you have one point of contact.

 

There's a good chance the whole team has worked together previously and know how to get things done right.

[Izzy]

1 hour ago, Grebfromgrebland said:

As @Izzy is doing get a builder to project manage the job and it will run more smoothly. It'll cost a bit more but it's far less hassle and you have one point of contact.

 

There's a good chance the whole team has worked together previously and know how to get things done right.

Exactly right. 
My builder has only bought in specialists who he’s worked with previously and knows their work is of a high standard.

The fact they all know each other is hugely beneficial.
I sense this game is all about trust, referrals, and good working relationships. 

[davieG]

2 hours ago, Grebfromgrebland said:

As @Izzy is doing get a builder to project manage the job and it will run more smoothly. It'll cost a bit more but it's far less hassle and you have one point of contact.

 

There's a good chance the whole team has worked together previously and know how to get things done right.

 

33 minutes ago, Izzy said:

Exactly right. 
My builder has only bought in specialists who he’s worked with previously and knows their work is of a high standard.

The fact they all know each other is hugely beneficial.
I sense this game is all about trust, referrals, and good working relationships. 

That's fine for big jobs requiring multi-skills but for one offs it's a lottery no matter how hard you try.

 

Reminds me of a company I got to lop some conifers they chopped the tops off and then disappeared. I then noticed my Bosch drill had gone. 

 

Tried contacting them but nothing so resigned myself to chopping up the cuttings and taking them to the skip myself.

 

A week later the guy turns up to finish the job, denied any theft.

 

Sadly I'd paid him half after he'd lopped them, A lesson learnt now never pay before completion an always keep an eye on my kit.

 

I guess if it's a big contract you might agree to interim payments but I've never had one of those.

 

The more I think about this the more I realise I've been scammed more than I should have.

[Grebfromgrebland]

I agree for one off jobs it's like spinning the wheel of fortune and even after getting a few quotes I still choose the wrong person sometimes.

[danny.]

The whole industry desperately needs some regulation. You don't need any kind of formal qualification needed to call yourself a trades, other than the schemes for Gas Safe and Electrical work. So I could start advertising that I'm a roofer tomorrow and take on work without having a clue what I'm doing. There needs to be some regulation in terms of practices too, it's insane we have an industry where people can take 10,000s in deposits and stage payments and then just disappear.

[davieG]

8 minutes ago, danny. said:

The whole industry desperately needs some regulation. You don't need any kind of formal qualification needed to call yourself a trades, other than the schemes for Gas Safe and Electrical work. So I could start advertising that I'm a roofer tomorrow and take on work without having a clue what I'm doing. There needs to be some regulation in terms of practices too, it's insane we have an industry where people can take 10,000s in deposits and stage payments and then just disappear.

You're not the guy who did mine are you, where's my Warranty?

[Izzy]

51 minutes ago, davieG said:

 

That's fine for big jobs requiring multi-skills but for one offs it's a lottery no matter how hard you try.

 

Reminds me of a company I got to lop some conifers they chopped the tops off and then disappeared. I then noticed my Bosch drill had gone. 

 

Tried contacting them but nothing so resigned myself to chopping up the cuttings and taking them to the skip myself.

 

A week later the guy turns up to finish the job, denied any theft.

 

Sadly I'd paid him half after he'd lopped them, A lesson learnt now never pay before completion an always keep an eye on my kit.

 

I guess if it's a big contract you might agree to interim payments but I've never had one of those.

 

The more I think about this the more I realise I've been scammed more than I should have.

 

34 minutes ago, Grebfromgrebland said:

I agree for one off jobs it's like spinning the wheel of fortune and even after getting a few quotes I still choose the wrong person sometimes.

For one off jobs I’ll always ask friends and neighbours who they’ve used in the past and were happy with.

If I hear the same name recommended a few times I’ll tend to go with them even if they’re a bit more expensive or I have to wait a bit longer.

 

[danny.]

8 minutes ago, Izzy said:

 

For one off jobs I’ll always ask friends and neighbours who they’ve used in the past and were happy with.

If I hear the same name recommended a few times I’ll tend to go with them even if they’re a bit more expensive or I have to wait a bit longer.

 

I've used 2 people in the last 3 years who came recommend by friends and they were awful. It's still a lottery!