Just HOW do I get a quote for a cantilever carport ?

Brian Lacey · 7 Oct 2020

All I want is a quote as to how much it will be to have a cantilever carport attached to the gable end of the bungalow. Nothing special, just an ordinary carport. It is the last stage in our improvement plan.
I have contacted four companies (one local-sort off as we are very rural and three others who advertise as covering East Northants ).
One answer so far and that was " we will get back to you" and I am still waiting so basically it appears no one is interested.
I know we are in funny times and I don't mind a long wait for installation but the fact that 3 out of 4 can't even bother to reply is just exceptionally poor business practice, after all here is a customer wanting to spend money but they just don't seem interested. Even a 'sorry, not interested" response would be appreciated as being polite.
My requests have been well written, included details of what we would like, if possible, and even photographs of the area and ground measurements but it seems nobody wants the job.
All I can now think of is a google trawl and hope for a response.
Perhaps some of the professionals on these pages can offer insight as to what I am doing wrong as I don't wish to offend anyone.
Cheers
Brian.

dontbelieveawordofit · 8 Oct 2020

lockdowns , travel restrictions , furloughs, material shortages.

23vc · 8 Oct 2020

Did you ring them and get them to come and have a look?

endecotp · 8 Oct 2020

Brian Lacey said:
My requests have been well written, included details of what we would like, if possible, and even photographs of the area and ground measurements but it seems nobody wants the job.

In my limited experience, I have the impression that many tradesmen prefer to receive a less specific request to which they can respond by describing what they would like to give you. That allows them to propose a solution that they are familiar with, which makes life easier for them.

Brian Lacey · 8 Oct 2020

Thanks everyone for the replies, some interesting thoughts.
I did not telephone but used the companies' email as provided on their websites. The thinking behind this was that it would give them the chance to look and think about what they could do for us, to expect an instant telephone response seemed to be unreasonable.
My message to them did encourage them to come and look at the property and discuss options, I do not have a closed mind on this.
But my biggest moan still remains. I know we are in difficult times etc but I was always brought up to be polite and answer a question. My wife ran here own small business for many years and never, ever, failed to answer a telephone call or email, it's what you just do ! Even a "sorry , can't help" would be something but to be just ignored is so poor.
I will continue the search and thanks again.
Cheers
Brian.

endecotp · 8 Oct 2020

Have you checked your junk mail folder?

Brian Lacey · 8 Oct 2020

endecotp said:
Have you checked your junk mail folder?

Yes, always do this as I use an Applemacbook. It likes to put things into junk !
Cheers
Brian.

pete50 · 8 Oct 2020

Brian Lacey said:
Perhaps some of the professionals on these pages can offer insight as to what I am doing wrong as I don't wish to offend anyone.
Cheers
Brian.

I don't think "professional tradesmen" are interested in any jobs unless it can command a £10,000 price tag and only take a couple of days. I asked 5 builders to come and look at replastering one of my bedrooms. Four of them stating on their adverts that "no job was too small." Only one turned up with no replies from the other four. He had a look and said he would get back to me and that was the last I heard from him. Another guy I asked about replacing the felt roof of my average sized garage quoted me £3000 for that job. Needless to say he was told to go away. All this was last year and the year before, long before this covid caused any problems. I ended up doing the garage roof myself and getting a company in to install a fitted wardrobe set that hid the two bad walls in my bedroom.

^woody^ · 8 Oct 2020

My take on this is that nowadays there are lots of builders and others masquerading as builders, and there are lots of opportunities to pick and choose the easy work - easy by way of hassle, easy by way od suiting their limited skills, easy by way of easy money, and easy by way of "I'll do what I like not what the customer wants". So they don't bother spending time even telling you they are not interested.

Now carports should be easy - unless you really do mean a cantilever hanging off the bungalow with no post supports - that's specialist design and specialist (well "know what your doing") territory, so may well be beyond many builders capabilities and comfort level.

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/snow-causes-gable-wall-collapse.352992/ see post nr 9

Brian Lacey · 8 Oct 2020

Yes, I do mean Cantilever !!
Cheers (I think).
Brian.

Alec_t · 8 Oct 2020

The area of a cantilever carport roof would be greater than that of your car and if laden with snow, or in a high wind, would exert an enormous force on the bungalow wall in the absence of post supports at the distal side of the roof, tending to pull or push the bricks out. Is the wall strong enough to withstand that?

Brian Lacey · 8 Oct 2020

Alec_t said:
The area of a cantilever carport roof would be greater than that of your car and if laden with snow, or in a high wind, would exert an enormous force on the bungalow wall in the absence of post supports at the distal side of the roof, tending to pull or push the bricks out. Is the wall strong enough to withstand that?

I have no idea. That is why I want to have it installed by a company and not a DIY job. I would want them to take full responsibility for the strength of the structure after a comprehensive survey.
Cheers
Brian.

dontbelieveawordofit · 8 Oct 2020

Brian Lacey said:
I have no idea. That is why I want to have it installed by a company and not a DIY job. I would want them to take full responsibility for the strength of the structure after a comprehensive survey.
Cheers
Brian.

if you used the words “I would want you to take full responsibility” in your emails maybe alarm bells started ringing

Brian Lacey · 8 Oct 2020

bennymultifinish said:
if you used the words “I would want you to take full responsibility” in your emails maybe alarm bells started ringing

No, I didn't put that in the emails. When we get to the point when someone comes to do a survey its the sort of conversation I would want to have but very tactfully !
Cheers
Brian.

Ian H · 9 Oct 2020

How come you don’t want one with legs?

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Just HOW do I get a quote for a cantilever carport ?

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