A lot of forum threads are dedicated to the rogue element of certain professions, cons etc. But assuming you have a recommended or bonafide tradesperson who will do a top job, what are your actual expectations?
Normally with things like plumbing, wiring, building etc there is going to be an element of disruption, mess. Your immaculate carpets may have a few pairs of builders boots marching across them.
A friend of mine had a garage door replaced over the weekend, pretty straightforward stuff, and it looks like a nice professional job. But she was fuming that the chap hadn't moved all the stuff back to where it was in the garage, as he had to move stuff for access, and hadn't swept up wood shavings etc. I thought this was pretty unfair, and why was it his job?
But then we had a sparky round last week adding some extra lights and sockets to our kitchen. Did a great job, and left the place immaculate. 10/10!
Barney did a post recently which springs to mind, and shows the other side of the story:
“...do you think it is reasonable to charge someone to clear access, empty cupboards, garages and loftspaces to gain access to the boiler? After all we're there to fix a problem, not shift furniture or rubbish what 90% of the Brittish public hoard, and they stand back and watch you shifting their crap and smuggly say "Oh sorry about the mess" Or should we do it for the love of it? The funniest part of it is, when you've actually repaired whatever it is that you went their to do, they then expect you to put all the flipping rubbish back!
”
”So would you expect tradespeople to have to spend time moving your stuff to clear a work area, then clean up after themselves and leave an area as they found it?
Or do you want them gone as soon as the issue is resolved, after all, the money meter is no doubt running
I wonder if tradespeople tag on an extra charge if they get stitched with lifting and shifting?
Be interesting to hear peoples views and perceptions.
At this point I know it is nothing to do with the boiler and something else and so will be chargeable. He requests I visit that night ok another 40 mile round trip. Once there it was clear that a pipe had split somewhere within the property and was running down a duct. It could have been 1 of 20 pipes and it could have been anywhere. Solid wood flooring and dry lined walls everywhere too late at night to start cutting into walls and flooring. The following day I sent another plumber @4pm to find the source of the leak. To keep the damage to a bare minimum sections of the walls were cut neatly and methodically, once the leak had been found it was repaired and the boiler re-commissioned, the plumber left @ 7pm after having cleaned up. Around an hour later I get a text from the customer declaring he's had a lovely steaming hot shower (as if I care
). No matter how much you explain, no matter what you say or do, in the end they are always going to have something to complain about.
