The poor stat of our building trade

[bernardgreen]

I have just spent a couple of days at a friend's house. The builder has just finished a large extention to the house but several plumbing and electrical items need to be completed before the family can fully move back in.

My friend's in-laws and I have been helping to get these things finished. We all agree that while the electrical work and plumbing is for the most part compliant the workmanship is to a poor standard. Time and effort has been minimised but the cost does not reflect that "saving". Even the builder agrees "it could be better" and added that finding good plumbers and electricians is difficult for small building companies who cannot retain the few good ones by employing them full time.

I recently became aware of a registered electrician whose publictity includes an image of his "Certificate of Competance" The UK website of the UK based training "college" that issued that certificate does not use English language but instead is written entirely in an Eastern European language.

 

[Bodd]

I have just spent a couple of days at a friend's house. The builder has just finished a large extention to the house but several plumbing and electrical items need to be completed before the family can fully move back in.

My friend's in-laws and I have been helping to get these things finished. We all agree that while the electrical work and plumbing is for the most part compliant the workmanship is to a poor standard. Time and effort has been minimised but the cost does not reflect that "saving". Even the builder agrees "it could be better" and added that finding good plumbers and electricians is difficult for small building companies who cannot retain the few good ones by employing them full time.

I recently became aware of a registered electrician whose publictity includes an image of his "Certificate of Competance" The UK website of the UK based training "college" that issued that certificate does not use English language but instead is written entirely in an Eastern European language.

Hello Bernard

I think the problem is that builders want a chunk of what the plumber/ spark is wanting... I find anybody decent keeps clear of builders for that and other reasons.

Bod

 

[bernardgreen]

Hello Bod

In this contract the builder was managing the whole project and had either employed or subcontracted the specialist trades.

 

[Bodd]

Hello Bod

In this contract the builder was managing the whole project and had either employed or subcontracted the specialist trades.

I won't work for builders as they just want you to slash it in. Problem with plumbing is as much as all this push fit makes life easier and quicker it also encourages chancers into the trade...

Equal with the rest of my work is the appearance and the quality of the installation. Even if it works no better it shows I care.

 

[bernardgreen]

Problem with plumbing is as much as all this push fit makes life easier and quicker it also encourages chancers into the trade

The entire plumbing was push fit, copper through the wall ( at an angle ) with push fit to plastic 6 inches behind the wall.

I won't work for builders as they just want you to slash it in.

Having seen the builder working, including fitting the large steels, he does seem to work to a good standard and it was a bit of a surprise to find poor quality plumbing and electrics.

 

[noseall]

Having seen the builder working, including fitting the large steels, he does seem to work to a good standard and it was a bit of a surprise to find poor quality plumbing and electrics.

I keep the plumbing and leccy contracts separate from my quoting schedule. My chaps can go in and price what they like. I only take from the building work.
I only ever struggled finding good tilers (wall/floor), but I have one now. Really good tiler too.

 

[^woody^]

I dont suppose any of the problems are to do with clients, and especially homeowners wanting the work done as cheap as possible and by any old Joe who knocks the door in a checked shirt and tracky bottoms?

 

[bernardgreen]

I dont suppose any of the problems are to do with clients,

Not in this case. While the clients did not not have a bottomless bank account they were not penny pinching on budgets.

 

[Notch7]

old Joe who knocks the door in a checked shirt and tracky bottoms?

And thats just the architect

 

[bernardgreen]

And thats just the architect

don't forget the leather sandals