Treatment of tradesmen (or tradeswomen!)
- Thread starter diy_darren
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well i used to do alot of work in a pub near me, yes work!! not supping on a pint 
, anyway first thing in the morning the staff and family would sit around one would ask want a drink to all of them, and just ignore me
, anyway first thing in the morning the staff and family would sit around one would ask want a drink to all of them, and just ignore me 
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well i used to do alot of work in a pub near me, yes work!! not supping on a pint
I have had exactly the sam treatment in a pub..I can count on one hand the amount of landlords I rated..the rest were just mean fat tossers who moaned all day about there being no money in it and drove4x4's for no apparent reason.
They only ever smile when your one side of the bar and they are the other.
I guess I'm doing well compared to most of what I've read.
Almost all my work comes from recommendation. The 'arrive as a humble servant but leave as a friend' approach has served me well. I go out of my way to do a first rate job, and as a result get loads of excellent recommendations and always get paid on time. Every time.
I 'weigh' up each customer at the first visit to look at a job. If I don't get offered a brew, chances are I won't be doing the job....!
If they ask for a written quote ...... !
I'm busy and am not wasting time writing out a quote for everyone who wants one. I do an excellent job at sensible rates and expect people to be delighted with it, get good recommendations from it and usually lots of repeat work. Either they want the work doing or they don't. With one ecxpetion who wanted a "ballpark estimate" [which they got off the top of my head, accurate to +/- 50%], everyone always wants the work doing.
I always show my insurances, my CRB check, and give all my contact details (address, phones, e-mail, etc..) and at least two phone numbers of previous customers (if its not a recommendation) so they can 'check me out' if they wish.
For everyone I do work for I always get offered:
* Keys for the house, with all alarm codes if applicable
* Free use of the kitchen
* Free use of the toilet
* As much brews as I want (usually made if they're home)
* Food from bacon butties to light meals, all free.
If I'm working in someones house, whether they're there of not, I am a guest in someone's home. There by invite. Everything is tidied at the end of every day, not left looking like a building site. I frequently get asked to do 'other things' during the day (feed pets, walk the dog, etc..) which I do happily if it helps people out.
I left one clients home about a fortnight ago. She was due back from holiday later that evening. I made sure her heating was advanced so that the house was warm when she got in, and left two lights on for her. Filled the kettle and put a cup out with a tea bag in. Took less than 5 mins. She rang me - thrilled - the next day, not just that everything had been done whilst she was away, but to thank me for my kindness & courtesy. I got a nice present she'd bought for me and 200 cigarettes and of course my money owed, which she'd "rounded up as a thank you"
I always get paid on time at the end of each day or on the next day, and the assurance of several recommendations. Usually the client asks me how much they owe and have it ready, or will have a days worth the following day if its a larger job. At many places where I'm working outside, I get offered a shower if I 'look cold' to warm up.
Rarely do I start before 9am, but have worked as late as 10.30pm in the summer. I charge a flat hourly rate, irrespective of time of day (but don't do call outs) or day of week. I don't 'discount' my rate for anyone - I'm happy that my rate is fair as are all my clients. I'm lucky that I can pick & choose my clientelle. I don't sub for companies, and only work for businesses (pubs, shops, etc..) if I've worked for the owners privately.
I'm fortunate in having an excellent reputation, which has taken a long time to build and maintain, but in the long run it pays dividends many times over. I have no advertising budget as I don't 'do' advertising. I get christmas cards from all clients, past & present, as they do from me; and have received many lovely (and expensive) gifts and presents, both for Christmas and just for "doing a good job".
Life is easy, straight forward with no headaches. I've learned lessons along the way (like we all do) but its just a matter of refining the details.
Almost all my work comes from recommendation. The 'arrive as a humble servant but leave as a friend' approach has served me well. I go out of my way to do a first rate job, and as a result get loads of excellent recommendations and always get paid on time. Every time.
I 'weigh' up each customer at the first visit to look at a job. If I don't get offered a brew, chances are I won't be doing the job....!
If they ask for a written quote ...... !
I'm busy and am not wasting time writing out a quote for everyone who wants one. I do an excellent job at sensible rates and expect people to be delighted with it, get good recommendations from it and usually lots of repeat work. Either they want the work doing or they don't. With one ecxpetion who wanted a "ballpark estimate" [which they got off the top of my head, accurate to +/- 50%], everyone always wants the work doing.
I always show my insurances, my CRB check, and give all my contact details (address, phones, e-mail, etc..) and at least two phone numbers of previous customers (if its not a recommendation) so they can 'check me out' if they wish.
For everyone I do work for I always get offered:
* Keys for the house, with all alarm codes if applicable
* Free use of the kitchen
* Free use of the toilet
* As much brews as I want (usually made if they're home)
* Food from bacon butties to light meals, all free.
If I'm working in someones house, whether they're there of not, I am a guest in someone's home. There by invite. Everything is tidied at the end of every day, not left looking like a building site. I frequently get asked to do 'other things' during the day (feed pets, walk the dog, etc..) which I do happily if it helps people out.
I left one clients home about a fortnight ago. She was due back from holiday later that evening. I made sure her heating was advanced so that the house was warm when she got in, and left two lights on for her. Filled the kettle and put a cup out with a tea bag in. Took less than 5 mins. She rang me - thrilled - the next day, not just that everything had been done whilst she was away, but to thank me for my kindness & courtesy. I got a nice present she'd bought for me and 200 cigarettes and of course my money owed, which she'd "rounded up as a thank you"
I always get paid on time at the end of each day or on the next day, and the assurance of several recommendations. Usually the client asks me how much they owe and have it ready, or will have a days worth the following day if its a larger job. At many places where I'm working outside, I get offered a shower if I 'look cold' to warm up.
Rarely do I start before 9am, but have worked as late as 10.30pm in the summer. I charge a flat hourly rate, irrespective of time of day (but don't do call outs) or day of week. I don't 'discount' my rate for anyone - I'm happy that my rate is fair as are all my clients. I'm lucky that I can pick & choose my clientelle. I don't sub for companies, and only work for businesses (pubs, shops, etc..) if I've worked for the owners privately.
I'm fortunate in having an excellent reputation, which has taken a long time to build and maintain, but in the long run it pays dividends many times over. I have no advertising budget as I don't 'do' advertising. I get christmas cards from all clients, past & present, as they do from me; and have received many lovely (and expensive) gifts and presents, both for Christmas and just for "doing a good job".
Life is easy, straight forward with no headaches. I've learned lessons along the way (like we all do) but its just a matter of refining the details.
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In a few years bobbo, with a lot of practice and probably specialist help, you may be able to string a proper sentence together......
....... but I'll not hold my breath !
In the meantime, please carry on as normal - I get tons of work as a result of so-called 'pros' such as you.
It is important that every man knows his limits. It is very brave of you to share yours - however inconsequential they may be - with everyone else.
....... but I'll not hold my breath !
In the meantime, please carry on as normal - I get tons of work as a result of so-called 'pros' such as you.
It is important that every man knows his limits. It is very brave of you to share yours - however inconsequential they may be - with everyone else.
a glowing self recomendation hilti68 what is it you do?
General building & maintenance, with a leaning towards agricultural clients.
Not so much a self-recommendation, just explaining perhaps why I suffer from less of the difficulties than some of the other replies.
thanks or answering hilti68 it does howeer sound like you do spend uiet a bit of time helping and not working
No probs jefoss
Whats the difference ? Either way you're 'there' & doing something for the client. It matters not whether its the work or anything else they want doing & will pay for. I've been to fix gutters & ended up doing all the rest of the garden first because the client explained that he'd had lots of trouble getting a decent gardener.
Hourly rate is hourly rate - If the job is something you can do, and you have the kit, the customer is happy & pays then you've still earned your daily rate & go home happy.
Nice to have a good natured reply, rather that the muppet who answered last time
thanks or answering hilti68 it does howeer sound like you do spend uiet a bit of time helping and not working
No probs jefoss
I've been to fix gutters & ended up doing all the rest of the garden first because the client explained that he'd had lots of trouble getting a decent gardener.
Hourly rate is hourly rate - If the job is something you can do, and you have the kit, the customer is happy & pays then you've still earned your daily rate & go home happy.
Nice to have a good natured reply, rather that the muppet who answered last time
thats a fair enough statement hilti, i didnt realise you were charging hurly rates! so the dog walking, etc is a nice break whislt being paid!
and i do try to be good natureded, most of the time!
Hilti , no wonder your busy. I bet you people think , we need someone to mind the dog,gerbil and the mother in law for 2 weeks,as there off to spain. Then i know put a nail in that pipe again, softlad leaves the job like the beverley hillbillies,hilti while your fixing that boiler will you wipe my arse, use your tounge if your hands are full, cum listen to my story about a man named hilti he pipes up in the morning and then he cleans your yard,then the next day you think hes after pay but all he wants is to take the dog to play, starring hilti as hilti, hilti as the dog,hilti as the brush
There are Rogue customers thats for sure
Most people just want the job done and are generally friendly,usually a small natter
Some people just wont shut up and all you want to do is get the job done
Then theres the tea and cakes jobs....old ladies who are just happy to have someone to talk to....they bake a cake just because you are coming
Sad really but you cant afford not to charge them these days
Most people just want the job done and are generally friendly,usually a small natter
Some people just wont shut up and all you want to do is get the job done
Then theres the tea and cakes jobs....old ladies who are just happy to have someone to talk to....they bake a cake just because you are coming
Sad really but you cant afford not to charge them these days
We tend to pin a tea bag to our lapel, cap, shirt etc: eventually they have to ask..... you can guess the reply.
Worked at Bet Lynch's AKA Julie Goodyear,,,,, got NOWT, not even a thank you.
Worked at Bill Roach's AKA Ken Barlow.. very nice.
Worked at Jonny Ross's....... asked him if his 'kin kettle was bust... got tea, cakes and bikkies.
Most people are OK but many with money think they are special.
I have even asked a neighbour for a brew when the client was not there.
Act like a gent and get treated like one.
Worked at Bet Lynch's AKA Julie Goodyear,,,,, got NOWT, not even a thank you.
Worked at Bill Roach's AKA Ken Barlow.. very nice.
Worked at Jonny Ross's....... asked him if his 'kin kettle was bust... got tea, cakes and bikkies.
Most people are OK but many with money think they are special.
I have even asked a neighbour for a brew when the client was not there.
Act like a gent and get treated like one.
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