any decent trades people at the moment. Well at least in Yorkshire it is. Even if you find one they are usually booked for a year at least. Trying to find a plumber/installer is like looking for gold. Even a gardener or a painter/decorator is a struggle to find. Is it a skills shortage? Do you struggle in your area?  |
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I was of course just sharing my own frustration but do really people have no problems finding different trades people to do jobs for them? If you know any who work in or aroubd yorks, will be grateful for recommendations.  I can't even find someone to do little jobs like painting the fences, tiding up the garden etc, never mind professional ones for all the other jobs. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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As a tradie down south it depends on the trade. I’m pretty much always booked up two/three months ahead but some of the guys I work with are booked up to a year ahead  |
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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago
Dubai & Nottingham |
"Have you tried f....book there's loads advertising.
Mrs "
I got a good sparky off FB a while back for some small stuff, lots of good reviews. Turns out he’s a plumber and does bathrooms too, so I’ve looked after him and kept him as a pet. He’s just done an amazing bathroom for my ex and is doing me one next. I bring him duty frees back and always pay him promptly, when you find a good one look after them |
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"Have you tried f....book there's loads advertising.
Mrs
I got a good sparky off FB a while back for some small stuff, lots of good reviews. Turns out he’s a plumber and does bathrooms too, so I’ve looked after him and kept him as a pet. He’s just done an amazing bathroom for my ex and is doing me one next. I bring him duty frees back and always pay him promptly, when you find a good one look after them "
I agree and had people like that before. I looked after them and they looked after me. Just seem to be in short supply around here at the moment. The regular gardener I had now retired, the last plumber I used no longer does private jobs and in any case he was just a plumber and not installer/fitter too, the excellent painter/decorator that did the whole place before sadly passed away earlier this year. I promise you, if I find them, I will look after them |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Getting people to turn up is an issue
Getting a 'reasonable' price is an issue
Sites like check-a-trade are loaded with people who want the earth for simple jobs
We were quoted upward of 1k for some electric works that eventually cost us just over £200
My top tips would be to use word of mouth and to check and double check reviews
When we moved in here, we wanted a gas check doing
I went in a local independent hardware shop and asked if they knew of any local gas safe engineers
They gave me a number
Turns out the guy lives a 2 minute walk away
Since using him, he has put us on to a plasterer, a decorator, a joiner and an electrician - all local and all reasonable and reliable
Trades generally know other trades and, unless it affects their own business, they are often willing to share their contacts |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Do you think as a nation we have become lazier / less skilled?
I remember years ago, a lot of men were great at DIY - now, not so much
I will openly admit that I have zero 'man skills' in terms of DIY or decorating and a lot of the time just cba doing it myself
When I've worked 5 long days, I don't want to spend the weekend decorating or doing jobs around the house
So, I used trades to do jobs I could probably do myself if I was so inclined
I also think we have become a nation of 'want it nows', which in itself brings pressure on the trades
How many times to we re-decorate or re-jig the house too?
Interior design programmes / property programmes etc all feed into this dynamic of wanting to make changes whereas previous generations just 'made do' - a home was a home, not a show home
Betterment is not a bad thing of course but with increasing demands on their time, trades have the ability to charge more for what you want and you will wait longer for it to happen |
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By *TG3Man
over a year ago
Dorchester |
"I was of course just sharing my own frustration but do really people have no problems finding different trades people to do jobs for them? If you know any who work in or aroubd yorks, will be grateful for recommendations. I can't even find someone to do little jobs like painting the fences, tiding up the garden etc, never mind professional ones for all the other jobs. "
Have you considered doing it yourself or is it beneath you  |
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"I was of course just sharing my own frustration but do really people have no problems finding different trades people to do jobs for them? If you know any who work in or aroubd yorks, will be grateful for recommendations. I can't even find someone to do little jobs like painting the fences, tiding up the garden etc, never mind professional ones for all the other jobs. Have you considered doing it yourself or is it beneath you
I will take the sarcasm. I have lots of skills but not that kind. Bits I can, I do. get on and do it then, you never know unless you try  "
I am happy to wait gor the professionals rather than being a know it all as I don't have the right skills as I said but thanks for the encouragement |
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"Have you tried f....book there's loads advertising.
Mrs "
Tbh if they are on FB then make sure you do your homework on them as its a rogue Traders paradise on there.
Anyone who can fit you in at short notice should set alarm bells ringing instantly.
If they are any good, you will have to wait at least a couple of months. |
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By *TG3Man
over a year ago
Dorchester |
"I was of course just sharing my own frustration but do really people have no problems finding different trades people to do jobs for them? If you know any who work in or aroubd yorks, will be grateful for recommendations. I can't even find someone to do little jobs like painting the fences, tiding up the garden etc, never mind professional ones for all the other jobs. Have you considered doing it yourself or is it beneath you
I will take the sarcasm. I have lots of skills but not that kind. Bits I can, I do. get on and do it then, you never know unless you try
I am happy to wait gor the professionals rather than being a know it all as I don't have the right skills as I said but thanks for the encouragement "
my pleasure |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Trying to find a tradesperson for small jobs is nigh on impossible. It’s not worth their while. As has been said, just one good contact can lead to others. Definitely look after them when they work for you.
I can turn my hand to most things diy, but will only tackle simple replacement type plumbing and electrics. |
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"Trying to find a tradesperson for small jobs is nigh on impossible. It’s not worth their while. As has been said, just one good contact can lead to others. Definitely look after them when they work for you.
I can turn my hand to most things diy, but will only tackle simple replacement type plumbing and electrics."
I am going around some of the neighbours I have not asked yet later to see if they have any recommendations. My next door neighbours have done lots of work but apparently will not recommend any of them |
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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago
South Wales |
If I go out and about with my mum and she’s driving then I take screenshots of any work vans parked outside a house that is obviously having work done.
Then I add them to my workmen list.
Daft maybe, but it works for me. |
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"If I go out and about with my mum and she’s driving then I take screenshots of any work vans parked outside a house that is obviously having work done.
Then I add them to my workmen list.
Daft maybe, but it works for me."
I'll come round and quote. I have no discernable handy man skills, but it would be worth the visit  |
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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago
South Wales |
"If I go out and about with my mum and she’s driving then I take screenshots of any work vans parked outside a house that is obviously having work done.
Then I add them to my workmen list.
Daft maybe, but it works for me.
I'll come round and quote. I have no discernable handy man skills, but it would be worth the visit "
I’m sure I can find a use for your screw driver |
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"If I go out and about with my mum and she’s driving then I take screenshots of any work vans parked outside a house that is obviously having work done.
Then I add them to my workmen list.
Daft maybe, but it works for me."
Sure, why not. I did the other day myself and actually spoke to one of them so at least one of the jobs will hopefully be in hand soon  |
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"If I go out and about with my mum and she’s driving then I take screenshots of any work vans parked outside a house that is obviously having work done.
Then I add them to my workmen list.
Daft maybe, but it works for me.
I'll come round and quote. I have no discernable handy man skills, but it would be worth the visit
I’m sure I can find a use for your screw driver "
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Yes I've been trying for a long time. I struggle to find any kind of tradesman who will turn up when they say, give a quote and do the job.
I use to be a trader and when I had a call for work i would be right on it ASAP even though I was busy I'd still do my best to get back to people. sometimes I'd see 5,6 jobs a day.
However I've found nobody is like me. They all promise to turn up but hardly ever do and even if they do they say they will call me back with a price but it never happens. A lot of messers. |
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By *aggonerMan
over a year ago
for a penny |
"Have you tried f....book there's loads advertising.
Mrs "
As has been said, good tradespeople are booked up. Anyone on F book is unlikely to be professional. They’re usually the type that think they can do it but not necessarily can.
Stick with the professionals and suffer, is my view. I waited two years to get my kitchen done. |
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.
Can also do a little gardening although I’m no Monty!