Tradeschaps

[Chuffy]

Baggy and I are having a conservatory/lean-to/potting shed built on the back of our house. We contacted a chap who had already done some work for us, he came out a couple of weeks ago, took a few measurements, talked about what we wanted and how it could be done. He came back today with his mate who will be building the glazed units. They spent quite a while measuring and then talking to us, again, to make sure that they knew what we wanted and that it was going to be just right.

Now, I have a fear of tradeblokes, because of the horror stories that you hear, but it seems that if you find a good one, they usually have mates who they know and trust to do a good job. Anyway, these two today brought a warm glow to the cockles of my gnarled and crusty heart.

It's nice to know that there are good chaps who take pride in what they do.

Let's hear good and heartening stories of stout tradeschaps who have done a fine job for you.

 

[chap]

Yep, an increasing rarity but we do exist: the bastions of honesty

 

[Chuffy]

Yep, an increasing rarity but we do exist: the bastions of honesty

And what do you do? [/HRH]

 

[chap]

And what do you do? [/HRH]

Perhaps a little too much perusing of these forums

 

[Piemaster]

We use an great joiner. Did an ace job of the kitchen and exactly what we my wife wanted. He has very high standards he keeps to and importantly makes sure anyone else he gets in (plumbers, electricians) does as well. Asked him about re-hanging a door that didn't shut properly - he refused to do it unless he could rebuild the frame as well as it was the only way he could guarantee to get it right.

 

[Chuffy]

We use an great joiner. Did an ace job of the kitchen and exactly what we my wife wanted. He has very high standards he keeps to and importantly makes sure anyone else he gets in (plumbers, electricians) does as well. Asked him about re-hanging a door that didn't shut properly - he refused to do it unless he could rebuild the frame as well as it was the only way he could guarantee to get it right.

That's what we want! Heartwarming, reassuring and sturdy chaps with callused fingers, well worn tools and an infinite capacity for tea.

 

[Ian H]

Down in the South West, or probably any rural area, you're spoilt for choice. The worst that happens is that the wonderful plumber (a real 'for instance') from Cullompton charges so little and does such a good job that he's always booked months in advance and works 72hr weeks.
Now in London it's a different matter. Apart from Darren, who'll bring your morning paper when he arrives for work, they're all shysters and crooks who'll do a shoddy job and fleece you.

 

[661-Pete]

We had a builder in (just for an investigation and an estimate) last week - seems a reasonably honest Johnny: but he hasn't actually done any work for us yet so, unproven. Alas! the reason for calling him in was to put right an almighty cock-up by some previous builders whom we had in six years ago on a big job: to build a 2-storey extension. Those earlier builders cut short the overflow pipe from our header tank, because it was 'in their way'. Instead of re-routing it to a point outside the house, as they should have done, they just let the far end drain onto the soffits. And we never noticed! That is, until a couple of weeks ago, while we were away on holiday, the ball-valve on the header tank started leaking a bit, the tank filled up and started draining via the overflow, onto the soffit and down the cavity wall. Result: one very damp wall when we got back.

Luckily, now I know what the cause is, this can be easily fixed (I'll do it myself, no need to call in the (new) builder for that). But he also advised (and we can see for ourselves) that the gutters on the extension were wrongly angled and ought to be re-positioned. He'll quote for that: not something I can do myself. Hope he really is one of the honest ones!

 

[Fnaar]

That's what we want! Heartwarming, reassuring and sturdy chaps with callused fingers, well worn tools and an infinite capacity for tea.

That'll be from spending a lot of time on the job snik snik

 

[Globalti]

Asked him about re-hanging a door that didn't shut properly - he refused to do it unless he could rebuild the frame as well as it was the only way he could guarantee to get it right.

Replacing the frame doesn't take long and makes the job of hanging a door SO much easier when you're dealing with a warped or crooked frame. I know; I've replaced 8 of the 12 doors in our house and each door, from scratch, takes several hours of work doing everything by hand so your man is just trying to save time.

We have an excellent plumber, not cheap but he's good. Oh, and he's a cyclist too!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

We have been trying to get a builder for an internal alteration job now for twelve months. Three have given quotes then disappeared, never to return. I'm getting a complex

 

[snapper_37]

Had 7 30 foot + conifers chopped down at the weekend. The chap who did them was one of the nicest people I've met, very good at his job, and did not try and do the 'let me rip you off cos you are wimin innit' malarcky.

He even chucked in another couple of jobs for no extra charge (although we did throw him a 'drink').

 

[661-Pete]

We have an excellent plumber, not cheap but he's good. Oh, and he's a cyclist too!

Talking of builders who cycle ... we had to call in our tame builder in France (English ex-pat) on our last visit, to do a job for us. He sent three of his men to do the work, along with a big 'Maniscopic' (French for 'JCB'). When the men had finished they left in the van leaving the Maniscopic for the boss to pick up later (along with the cheque!). We got the message that he'd be cycling (shock! horror!) over from his house (about 30Km away) to pick it up. I'd never known he was a cyclist.

Alas! He chickened out. His wife drove him to our place instead. But I would have been duly impressed. The country around there is quite hilly!

 

[HelenD123]

My kitchen fitter was fantastic. Very professional, quick, thorough and concerned to do a proper job. I'd been dreading having it done thinking it would drag on for ages but he finished in about 3 days, co-ordinating the tradespeople so they were there at the appropriate times.

I also know a great joiner who also does a bit of plastering on the side. His rates were very reasonable and he did a good job.

 

[MacB]

Have been in the house a bit over 9 years and had good work done at very reasonable prices. Have always relied on one main person and then used others they recommended:-

extension to upstairs doubling the size - done by a friend I played golf with and for half the price of any other quote. Unfortunately he's now retired, the extension was one of his last jobs, so had to cast around for a new main guy.

6 years ago took a chance with the brother in law of our window cleaner, he worked for a building firm but was just branching out on his own. It's worked out really well and he now handles everything we need doing. If it's not within his remit he arranges for someone else to come. He also gets work from friends and family we have recommended him to. Unfortunately success is biting and we need to plan well in advance now as he's booked up nearly a year ahead.