G
george75
What's the best way to find good tradesman?
Last edited by a moderator:
Sponsored Links
I am a professional decorator.
My OH wanted to have the hallway repainted, she knew that I was busy. Rather than wait, she turned to one of those sites. The first guy never got back to her with a price. 2 other guys did. She went with the fellow who by coincidence lives 5 doors away. He had a 5 star rating.
When he finished she asked me to redecorate the newly decorated hallway.
It took me at least 50% longer to get the woodwork and walls back to the level of finish that I had previously achieved before he got his hands on it.
She wasted her money, I lost a week's income, but she now finally understands why I spend so much money on sanders and dust extractors and why I need to do this and that before painting.
If you don't care about the quality of finish, or have low expectations, then those sites are fine. If you want a good quality of finish, you have to wait.
There is a reason why decent tradesmen are busy.
G
george75
people recommend people based on friendship rather than experience
Last edited by a moderator:
Dont search online trade sites.
Nextdoor online is worth a try - its like a local community covering just a few local villages.
Or call into a local trade merchant, preferably not a national - ask them for a couple of names.
Failing that stop at a local building site -like an extension going up just a street away, stick your head in and ask.
Lots of tradesmen get their work through networking on site.
Even then do your research, thefe are very good trademen, there are bad tradesmen.
Nextdoor online is worth a try - its like a local community covering just a few local villages.
Or call into a local trade merchant, preferably not a national - ask them for a couple of names.
Failing that stop at a local building site -like an extension going up just a street away, stick your head in and ask.
Lots of tradesmen get their work through networking on site.
Even then do your research, thefe are very good trademen, there are bad tradesmen.
Sponsored Links
- Joined
- 7 Feb 2017
- Messages
- 319
- Reaction score
- 58
- Country
ask around most good trades is all word of mouth
another good sign is if they can do it straight away 90% of the time stay away there quiet for a reason
another good sign is if they can do it straight away 90% of the time stay away there quiet for a reason
I'm a bit surprised he took the job knowing you are a pro painter. I used to sub for a firm that had some really good painters working for them, and you could see how good the work looked when they had finished. You coundn't put your finger on exactly why it looked so good compared to others, but the foreman was really hot on the prep. Also when he dustsheeted the place out it looked like it had fitted carpets over the carpets.
I only speak to the neighbours either side of my house. To date I have still never knowingly seen him or spoken to him.
He is a professional decorator as well but I suspect that the does a lot of agency work and commercial work. The type of work where no one really cares about the finish and everyone expects plumes of dust to float around until the job is finished.
If I rate my work at 9 out of 10, I would rate his at 5 or 6 out of 10.
G
george75
word of mouth seems best
Last edited by a moderator:
G
george75
You've obviously got good standards of work
Last edited by a moderator:
Word of mouth is best both for consumer and tradesmen because each knows the person recommending, if that makes sense.
Other than that local Facebook groups say for a village or a residential area of town can be good sources as individuals making the recommendation are not anonymous or using pseudonyms.
Blup
Other than that local Facebook groups say for a village or a residential area of town can be good sources as individuals making the recommendation are not anonymous or using pseudonyms.
Blup
I think that you have hit the nail on the head.
The average Joe doesn't know what a decent finish is until they have employed someone that provides that finish.
Sorry, am based in west London
Good luck in your search though.
Good point, I have had regular customers that were asked, by friends, for my number but my customer will warn me that Mr/Mrs X will never commit to a date or that they are a bit "difficult", etc..
I don't do Facebook but a friend of mine, who restores sash windows, gets much of his work via recommendations on a local Facebook group. For him a big advantage is that the work will be local.
G
george75
Tradesman can be selective about the jobs they take
Last edited by a moderator:
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
Sponsored Links
