Re: British workmanship?

Jethro wrote:

On 30 Apr, 13:41, "Uno-Hoo!" <Uno-Hoo@NOSPAMbigfootdotcom> wrote:
Whatever happened to the notion of 'pride in workmanship'? Being a
keen DIY man, I try as often as possible to avoid using tradesmen -
but whenever I do I invariably find that they do an appallingly
shoddy job.

Two weeks ago, the day before I went on my caravan trip, I was
approached by a roofing company. They were doing a major job on a
house a few doors down and were canvassing for extra work. The only
thing I needed doing was the roof tile-edge-verges and the boss of
the company (which was a bona-fide local firm and not pikeys!)
offered to do a good deal on plastic 'dry verging' for me. I had it
planned to do the job myself, but he gave a reasonable price and I
decided it would avoid a lot of hassle for me. I pointed out that I
was away with the caravan the next day but he said that was no
problem, he would do a 'cracking job' the next day and then call
around for payment when I returned.

Big mistake! Once again a real bodge-up. I went up on the roof
when I got home, and before he came around, to check on the job and
it was abysmal. Every one of the dry verge units had been cut to
avoid lifting the tiles to 'tuck' them under. They were only
secured in a couple of places and I could easily push them away
from the tile edges. It was a typical British workman job - do as
little as possible and bodge as much as you can.

When he came around for payment there was a major row on my front
drive with him insisting I was trying to avoid payment. Much
shouting and pointing of fingers etc. Anyway, after I rang the
technical dep't of the firm who made the dry verge units and they
confirmed that their units are not designed to be cut - he had to
back down and get his fitter to come and remove them all.

He wants to come back and do the job properly but fat chance! Said
most of his work came from recommendations - and I pointed out that
probably very few of his customers were likely to get up on their
roofs and inspect his workmanship!

Why is it so damned difficult to find a good workman who takes
pride in a job well done today?

Hmmm, not sure of ukl for this sort of post (uk.people.consumers --> )
but I am increasing worried that I can understand your posts, Kev ...
maybe it's an age thing ?

When I worked in a garage, (family firm, never advertised) I was
appalled by some of the lash-ups I saw ... I will DIY wherever
possible, and where not, it will take a personal recommendation from
family or a close friend before a tradesman will get near to a quote.

The last major job I had done was replacing the CH system. The plumber
who got the job had completely re-fitted a friend of the MiL's and
when I went to see the job it looked 100% perfect. Which is what he
did for us.


main issue is thier arnt many tradesmen left , decent youngsters wont
come into the industry , you cant blame them really when they can earn
twice the rate for sitting behind a desk

--

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: British workmanship?
    ... I invariably find that they do an appallingly shoddy job. ... reasonable price and I decided it would avoid a lot of hassle for me. ... It was a typical British workman ... family or a close friend before a tradesman will get near to a quote. ...
    (uk.legal)
  • Re: British workmanship?
    ... reasonable price and I decided it would avoid a lot of hassle for me. ... Every one of the dry verge units had been cut to avoid lifting ... typical British workman job - do as little as possible and bodge as much ... common sense should have told you that reputable tradesmenhave work booked ...
    (uk.legal)