I agree. In 100% of the cases it is cleaner after we leave as well. People don’t move shit and think so little of you that they’ll leave all sorts of stuff and filth in your way.
Hi Roger, can you do a video on drill chucks ,which drill has the best chuck, I use makita tools and I think there chucks are crap ,,the bits come loose and fall out as your drilling, are any other makes better ? Regards Frank 👍🤔
Nearly all of these complaints are caused by one thing and one thing only - lack of communication from the tradesman. I’d much rather they told me they can’t turn up for another month than make me lose one of my precious 20 days holiday a year sitting in all day twiddling my thumbs wondering where the heck they are. We’re all human, we understand there might have been a problem in a previous job. Just tell me I’ll understand, but stop lying ffs. I also understand your estimate might have been way too low. You might not have considered something or something might have broke, or there might have been something unexpected found. Again, just communicate. If you don’t want to quote for the job then again just tell me and tell me why. If I’m to blame then I’ll aim to fix my attitude. If the job is to blame then I’ll maybe break it down and sub it out to different people
Alot of people expect to have the job done next week attitude and extra cost is always haggled over as alot of people don't understand we can't see any unforeseen damage and the price is the price in their minds and you're better getting one builder in to do it all who has his individual subbys because not everyone thinks about the next trade hope that helps 🔨
My mum is currently renovating her new house and is sadly being messed around by a couple of contractors. A couple of guys turned up the other week and then both immediately disappeared to "get parts" (despite already knowing the job) and were gone for most of the afternoon without explaining so much as to where they'd gone or why they both needed to go. Of course they then tried charging a day rate. Another tiler apparently didn't quote for tiling behind her new free standing bath so thought he could leave with the bare plaster still on show. Then when I inspected his work over the weekend, I found huge gaps in the grouting and just general shoddy work. Sadly she'd already paid him. It's a shame because the other guys she's got working are absolutely fantastic and go above and beyond (such as doing weekend shifts to not leave her in the lurch). A few bad apples really spoil it for the rest.
When I was self employed and doing bathroom refurbs I went to price a job , customer said 4 other guys had been out but none of them had quoted for the job . I wondered why this was until he got out drawings and a specification, he was an architect. I quoted and got the job , never had any problems. Just your attitude and professionalism that gets things done .
You are spot on. The other guys were probably nervous that they'd actually have to do the job correctly, that they'd not be able to pull the wool over this guys eyes, do a bad job, take the cash and run. Well done you. Do you do work in South Wales? We are in dire need of builders with professionalism here.
I think the Most important tool my father in law had in his kit was a brush! His jobs were spotless and through word of mouth was never without work even in the lean times….word of mouth I guess. As he approached retirement age because of the demand he used the reliable tradesmen he’d built up over the years and became the fixer (or middleman) he planned and oversaw everything (popped in to se how it was all going!) but it became a good pension as well as keeping his interest in the job he loved. Be interesting to compare the 9 points on your two rants, Roger. How many are the same from a different/opposite perspective? Going to watch the other again now!
Needed a flat roof replacement. Called 6 local roofers, only 1 turned up at all and then never quoted. Disgusting. I now do not trust tradesmen at all. Use TH-cam to learn and then DIY! I did and is absolutely fine.
I need my flat roof done last year. same issue as you. called about 8-10 of them. 2 turned up, none of them quoted. had to do it myself in the end.terrible isnt it?
An old school builder told me his top tip to win and keep customers was to have a very clean tidy Van. They have nice houses, a nice car or two, lovely garden. Last thing they want is a dirty, rusty, battered old van in the drive. I also this it speaks volumes about your attitude to the customer. if you have no pride in your van, what pride are you going to take in your work?
Had some really bad experiences with builders many years ago. First one ripped off the plaster on my first house to do the damp course then left it for a month, had a catalogue of lies. Last one was the final straw - oh the clutch went on my van and it’s at the garage - weird as he drove past me several times in a different part of the City. Second one decided to leave his concrete mixer resting against the back door, our only exit point to the garden. Ignored phone calls, after 2 weeks I tracked down his wife and informed her I would have it removed to the public back alley. He immediately phoned me and threatened me ‘ I’m a black belt in Karate and will beat the sh#t out of you’. I phoned him back and gave him the crime reference number - he went quite.
Have you got my house bugged? We've experienced all these problems. My favourites being The roofer who turned up five weeks after we called him to fix a leak, got told to go away. The aerial fitter who promised to be here at 8am and arrived at 11;30 said he'd held up on another job. The plasterer who left the house looking like a bomb had gone off on day one, didn't arrive on day two, got here day three to find all his gear on the pavement. The block pavers (not pikeys) who spent three days effing at each other before fighting with one hitting the other with a shovel. Also found those "reccomended trader" sites a waste of time.
That's absolutely true Roger!Problem is, as a potential customer is knowing where to get a good tradesman.I do most things myself and only have someone in if I really can't do it for the reasons you talked about and a few more,or if I would end up buying specialist tools just for that one job. Would you consider doing a video about what pee's people off about builders merchants.For me as Joe public I find the prices of materials varies depending upon which branch or person you talk to and tools and equipment normally overpriced unless you have a trade account. Ahh, that's because they will buy alot more than Joe public, but at the end of the day I would have still taken my money there rather than the competition down the road!!☹Great video!👍
Am I right or wrong to say that really good builders/contractors/tradesmen are not really interested in jobs under a certain price and therefore are not interested? The lower quality people usually end up getting the cheaper jobs??
Good builders are getting lots of work atm. Maybe it's because loads of people have bought new homes due to the stamp duty relief? So they can afford to be picky and even over price work to avoid it or accept it since the fiancé's are worth it.
I'm also getting that feeling. The problem is that I can do a lot myself, but need some professional help from time to time. So ideally, I would be able to find help from a master tradesman, against his appropriate wage. But that's very hard to find.
If you think about it there's a whole load of mucking around that we don't really make money on around jobs, and its often not vastly different on a job that is a week long vs a job that's going to last a couple of months. And if people start mucking around, or the job's not straightforward the cost/benefit starts looking pretty slim after a while. And when you get down to maintenance type of things where its just half a day or something, I'd honestly rather just have the day off. I do stuff like that for existing clients who I feel some obligation to, but for random people I've never met its usually just too much trouble, because it often it turns into something that you get bogged down with because you have to order something, or it involves multiple trades (who also want nothing to do with it, so you end up dragging in other tradesmen you know and using up your goodwill with them!) and you're going to have to come back 3 times etc. I've actually got a job at the moment that falls squarely into this category. I should never have said yes to it, I've been back there about 6 times and I'm running around trying to find other people to get stuff done, I don't have time for any of it, I don't want to do any of it and I have made exactly zero dollars for all the stress it's caused so far. In fact its costing me money because I keep having to take time away from working on other places!
100% I was asked to swing 2 doors I said 200 she said she could get them for 70 pound I tried to explain driving to and from loading and unloading I was getting the furniture for them as I didn't want cheap hinges cleaning hoovering up ect 🙄 basically just wanted to pay as soon as I took the first screw out of a hinge 🤦♂️😡🔨
From personal experience, I learnt a hard lesson on a kitchen build.. The punter does not ask questions as they do not know enough to ask questions.. I employed a kitchen fitter. 'Kitchen' to a punter means a fully working kitchen. Turns out 'kitchen fitter' meant that he only fits the cupboards.. No plumbing of sink, any spark work, fridge, fridge feed, oven install, finishing oak table tops, tiling, painting, hot tap etc. Since then I ask all trades,, 'what is it you don't do that I'll have to arrange after you'. My inexperience and lack of communication from the kitchen dude caused this. Which begs the question... do trades expect all customers to have previous knowledge of the job? Simple customer service of knowing that every customer you deal with hasn't spent time as a construction project manager and knows the end to end process would be great. Shrugging your shoulders and saying 'not my problem' may be logically accurate, but a pretty poor way to conduct business.
I've had so-called tradesmen do work that have completely ballsed up yet claim they've done a great job and I've had to kick them off site. My tips are: go off word of mouth, not fancy websites, false promises, gob shites etc. If they let you down or you have a bad feeling about them (you can sense them after a while) f*ck them off asap. If you've done your research about how about something SHOULD be done by the regs rather than someone fobbing you off with "this is the way ive always done it!" - because it's easier/quicker/cheaper for them, stick by your guns. YOU are the customer, not them. Some trades come across like they're doing you a favour. Get rid and get in people who know their stuff, turn up when they say they will, do the job properly at the price they quoted. Either that or get some good tools, learn the trades and the regs and get stuck in. Sure, you'll make mistakes along the way but you'll save a fortune and you'll be able to stand back, look at your work and say "I did that."
Roger some tradesmen in the building industry have only done site work and don’t know how to adapt to domestic work This is part of the problem with swearing etc You have to learn to adapt to different situations in your working life
you are right and none of this is aimed at people who have no contact with the public. I feel sorry for Polish people etc who come over and learn their English on building sites, it is the worst English imaginable.
Ive been trying to have my drive done for a year, 170 square meters. 3 people turned up out of 15 to quote over nine months. The one we picked kept giving us a start date, and he never stuck to it, then stopped calling, then blocked my number. I suspect he underquoted, but had he just said that, and committed to a date, id have paid.
I suppose the irony is - the Builders and Customers that didn't already uphold these values / avoid these problems are probably not going to want to change or recognise they had the problem in the first place - and the good ones don't need the advice! Nice to balance the scale here Roger!
Text the customer when you're running late. Appreciated by the customer, and not embarrassing for the tradesman. Generally use technology to get pictures from the customer first etc. Mobile phones should be a great tool, and not just a distraction.
It's so funny that a video like this should even be necessary, but you're dead right on every point ....... Although - Pre-Portable Loo's - it was a Nightmare when the Client STRICTLY FORBAD the use of their toilet ....... I've walked away from those jobs in the past (But given the very good reason of course ;-) ...... And Swearing!! ..... I've done it on Sites, but never at home, socially, or on private jobs .... HOW does that even work?? .... Very peculiar ..... And as you say, you turn up to price a job but the customer doesn't see that THEY are the problem .... Grrrrrr!!! .......... Had to price a job up in a bungalow where the Woman had TWO lovely Old-English-Sheepdogs bounding about all over place........ After I gave her the price I said she'd have to keep the dogs well out of the way ..... OH NO!! The Dogs MUST have the run of the house AT ALL TIMES!! ......... I did tell her though, (to her face - politely) to screw up the estimate there and then :-)
If a customer wouldn’t let me use the toilet I wouldn’t take the job tbf but I understand if it’s a big job with a load of scruffy labourers! Etc Thankfully I work on a smaller scale so I don’t have to deal with stuff like this 🙄👍
If a customer wouldn’t let me use the toilet I wouldn’t take the job tbf but I understand if it’s a big job with a load of scruffy labourers! Etc Thankfully I work on a smaller scale so I don’t have to deal with stuff like this 🙄👍
In regards to requested videos, a specific example on how to price a job. You have made a video in the past regarding this topic but a specific example would be helpful. Doesn't have to be a large job, for example a garden fence or decking. The price of materials is one thing but working out a price for time and labour is another, especiallywhen you don't know what is underground etc. Thanks.
I've heard all the things they hate but only ever had ONE issue with a customer and it was a scamming moron that constantly pushed for additional work, which as it was a full renovation open planning the lot and 3 to 4 bedding it, so I did a lot for free. Soon as I wouldn't plaster, paint, door frame and bespoke build a door for an old outside toilet to make an ott storage space, he got arsey and wudnt pay the agreed price at the end despite all the freebies! Only time I ever had a cross word with a customer. All others I've found great, friendly n decent. I quote, explain, if I think there could be hidden issues I do my best to tell them before we start and let them know it could be worse than it looks atm etc. I leave their home clean and tidy at the end of each day, I don't swear or banter loudly with others in their home, I keep as quiet as possible n I treat their home with respect and they appreciate it!
This all boils down to communication. Even now after 34 years I still forget sometimes and assume that the customer has done some research or at least has a basic knowledge of how a house goes together. But NO, even with Google people are still pretty clueless, or are playing dumb, its hard to figure out which one sometimes. Put everything in writing, its the only way.
Yeah, some panic as well once they start seeing the 'guts' of the house. They don't realise that we see it every day and of course it doesn't faze us, but they fear it's going to be impossible to put back together!
Then you will be on your Jack Jones with no builders. It is all about give and take. You give them tea and biscuits and they take the piss and bugger off early
@@SkillBuilder well to be honest - tradesmen with nothing to hide don’t mind it. They need cash. Cameras are useful because it increases communication. You can say things like “that’s a great job keep it up sunshine”
People don't mind paying an honest, skilled builder a fair price. The problem is that honest, skilled builders are nowhere to be found, except on this TH-cam channel.
Sorry to hear that, I had a builder who was completely opposite to the list, top notch and loved everything he did. So much so I now do plastering for him.
@@jamesrodgers3132 yes obviously. I mean how do people find them in the first place 🤣 surely cant have any decent reviews to look at. Customers are clearly clueless at times
@@jamesrodgers3132 Nope, just recommendations. Not all bad builders are bad all the time, just as not all good builders are good all the time. Everybody gets three quotes these days and will check the review sites. I've done all the due diligence that's expected and I still get the A Team coming to do the quote and give the all the assurances of excellence. Then on day 1 of the job (usually 3 weeks late), the van arrives, two spotty teenagers are booted out with no tools / broken tools and they are tasked to do the job......which turns out terribly for all concerned.
Builders who don't stay on the job really get my goat. If you've got so many jobs you can't devote your time to, then you either need to prioritise what you can do or take on more staff. Walking off part way through because "I've got another job elsewhere" is unprofessional. If the work the builder agreed to do for me is too inconvenient they should have said so & I'll find someone who can take on the job til it's done.
You're always trying to keep everyone happy and off your back in the construction game. The problem is nowadays people are really very selfish and expect their job to jump to top of the Q. Stuff everyone else.. maybe an old dear urgently waiting on fireplace going in that's just arrived for example.. or visitors coming and needs the flooring down that just arrived after a months delay etc it's not all plain sailing..lads generally try their best to accommodate people. It always pains me to say but at least 90% of the public couldn't do this job hassles alone and plan jobs chase money etc. No chance
Nice one Roger, I work with a lot of builders that keep the site clean - customer might not know construction, but they do know tidy, which then impresses them...and can compensate for any minor mistakes!
A joiner once moaned about my noggins pushing door linings out, never thought about it till he mentioned it. Now I make they're cut precise near doors instead of hammering in. We can all learn from each other to save problems on 2nd fix and help each other out
Nice biased builder video with an underlying tone. There are many reasons why so many customers don't like builders and mostly it's down to attitude. If you have a decent attitude then people will generally get along.
I can put up with all of these things if you just do a good job. I will always pay good money for good work. Sadly, it can be very difficult to find good trades these days and it's really stressful dealing with the crap ones.
You are absolutely right, we hired a brilliant Bulgarian painter and decorator who stripped off 60 years of wallpaper and Artex coated ceilings from a 3 bedroom Hse and made good. He did such a brilliant job whilst listing to rap music full volume and smoking the wacky backy. If you do a brilliant job people don't care about your eccentricities or profanities.
I think you've hit the nail on the head. I've worked with some terrible trades, no etiquette no manners and so rude. plus I think there just aren't the lads coming through like they used to and no body of any ilk to train them. I'm in plumbing and everyone thinks that being gassafe is the quick way to their fortune, but actually its bathrooms IMHO. But try and find a bathroom fitter that can do everything, they are like gold dust. And yet I still get people call me up and expect me to come next week. I'm booked till mid November atm! Crazy
Agree with the underwear comment . When I was single and lived in a nice flat I recommended my plumber mate to a neighbour who because he was my mate, left him alone do do the job . Within 5 minutes of her leaving he was texting me pics of her expensive underwear all laid out on the bed!!! I was disgusted and ran up there as fast as I could to make sure they were all folded up properly and put away neatly. Def a two man job I thought 😂
If I ever find a tradesman that has none of the qualities you mention I'd pay double. I've been trying to get work done on my house for months and I can't even get past the "not returning your calls" stage. I know they're busy and Covid is causing supply issues but for God sake RETURN MY CALLS even it's just to tell me you can't do (or don't want) the work. Rant over.
The problem is builders can pick n choose their jobs now . Severe shortage skilled labour and good ones are currently off the scale busy with returning customers who they know their money's sound.
I'm still waiting for the builders to come round . It's been 6 years now . Plasterer's not turning up , renderer's not turning up . SO I've learnt to do things myself , saved fortunes.
I don’t mind swearing. It’s the gossip I can’t stand. No idea why would builders gossip about some other client while they are at anothers home. Makes me think they will go the the next job and gossip about me.
Roger, you and your team, absolutely make my day. In the trade for decades, and now a ‘budding retiree’, I’m so impressed with one thing, and one thing only. . . HONESTY! Goes a helluva long way. Keep up the great work/ reports, and above all, make sure James gets an ‘All expenses paid holiday’ for him and his family ? And while you’re at it, take one yourself! Best regards.
Sounds like you've not found the right guys yet... Sorry for that. Go to your local builders merchant (when it's quiet) and ask the guys behind the desk to recommend the good guys. They see them all, they know who to go for.
Roger the customer that fills the skip up before you've had a chance to put the works debris in. Delivered on the Friday turn up on Monday they filled it up with their rubbish.
I caught a builder sniffing my wife's underwear and just laughed at him. Didn't have the heart to tell him it was mine. Why should women have the most comfy undies?
As a former sparky who now works in the design, planning and management of commercial construction projects, this is why we have pre start meetings, so many things that Customers don’t realise about builders/building works and likewise things builders don’t realise about the customers. That said, builders not turning up or quoting when they’ve said they will is just ridiculous, completely unnecessary.
What builders do not seem to understand is, that when you try to pull the wool over a customers eyes and not levelling with them, that it destroys trust. Figure that, lying, also by omission destroys trust. TRUST is the key, most important element between builder and customer. Far better to own up that you can't come, or that you can't do a job, or that you are not able to deliver or come by a certain date, because honesty builds trust. However making the customer take a leave from their work to wait for builders who are not showing up, destroys trust in no time. And as a builder, you will need to build that trust up again if you want this customer to do your free adverstising to his friends and family. Don't act like an infant, grow some balls and communicate changes in plans. A disappointed customer is FAR better then an "angry and mistrustfull" customer. And when you have build enough resentment in your customer, your customer WILL find fault in your work and dispute the invoice in the end without any scrupules. That you can trust.
With all due respect to the competent builders out there, but your industry is being brought down massively by a lot of these clowns who one day wake up and say 'hey, I'm going to be a builder', yet the way they carry themselves is disgraceful. We live in a world of choice where we can hire the services of anyone and usually the decision can be quick and smooth, yet the decision has somehow become much harder when it comes to hiring builders because of the stigma and lack of trust they have caused. None of these behaviours would be tolerated in the corporate environment, so I am so confused why builders think they have been gifted an exception and can get away with it despite being self-employed. Ultimately people buy people. Anyway, in closing, if you're a competent builder and none of these 9 items apply to you, then please get in touch me. I'll pay you a fair wage for the job as long as you return the favour by not breaking my trust :) I'm always renovating and finding good tradespeople in London is by far the toughest job.
Turn up on time! Have respect! Keep the place clean! Act professional look professional do your job professionally!! Offer good sound advice for free you shouldn’t go far wrong that’s my advice!! Also if you’re going to rush a job don’t rush it at the end the finish is what it’s all about! 😉
@@longleaf0 Thanks for the like mate! My one rule in my daily thinking/job is do it to the best of your ability! If you do that you’re on the right track!! 👍
Your talks do make me chuckle. A lot of what you say is spot on true. I always think it best to be honest, even when you know the customer will not like it.
You didn't mention the way builders herald their presence by having a radio blairing out all day..even when they nowhere to be seen..as if to say, yes, we're here! it doesn't matter if you're ill in bed or on night shift, or trying to study, or don't like noise, our job is the most important in the street and we need to let you know..WE'RE STILL HERE!!!!
Brilliant - nice one Roger. And like all the best comedy it works because there's a grain of truth in it. If I was TV commissioning editor I'd give you a series based on your vlogs (roger's rants)
One thing I could never understand is that it is ok for a customer to get paid from their job, but when it comes to the tradesmen getting paid it feels like the customer is saying you don't deserve to get paid, you know that feeling I'm talking about? this is even when the customer is happy with the job, everybody deserves to earn a living don't they?
I feel like it's a power thing half the time. If you're waged the money appears weekly and if it doesn't you don't go in Monday, but with a contract getting your customer to pay is like pulling teeth.
That is a flawed comparison. Customers get paid for their jobs at the end of the month - which is the equivalent of "after the work is done" - which is the incentive for them to do a good job, and they get performance managed throughout the month. Customers are, rightly, reluctant to pay for work before it is done or at least until after they can see that it is done to their satisfaction/as agreed.
What i don't understand is when you pay the tradesman and then there is some snagging issues. when you call them back they don't bother as they have already been paid. Maybe this is why some people don't pay them until they have checked everything because you know once you've paid that guy he won't be seen again.
I've had too many tradesmen in my time who leave snags after getting paid. I'm sorry for being that guy, but unless there is a signed payment schedule you get paid once the job is finished and no snags are left. I am happy to pay for the work, everyone deserves to not be messed around, but it goes both ways.
I had a quote for 4 sash windows and new back door measured up gave a quote agreed a date still waiting a year later a phone call to say they didn't want the job would have been so easy instead of leaving us in limbo .
I think some of the problems come from the fact that trades people have chosen to become self employed because they do not want to work for a boss and want their own freedom, the clients on the other hand are either employees (used to taking orders at work and carrying them out professionally) or employers (used to given orders and having them carried out professionally). All of Rogers items show a lack of professionalism that would lead to a warning in most workplaces. As far as timekeeping how about having a clocking machine on site ? If not why not ?
Because self employed people have numerous bosses🙄 or as we call it a board of directors 😫 and everybody knows who knows best 😡definitely not the employee 🤦♂️🔨
You only need a clock if you're paying the builders on a daily rate. Doesn't bother that much. I've worked on jobs with cameras everywhere. I've nothing to hide, and don't slack. But clock's are pointless if you're on a price.
@@tomsmith9048 I've been an employee and seen staff members having to manage the manager, ie the manager isn't much good so the staff are managing the job whilst letting the boss think they are doing a good job.
@@dialog245 yes but the staff aren't paying his wages and some people are of the opinion that they pay you money your their employee but I have worked for some lovely people who are very understanding 🔨
@@tomsmith9048 The staff are earning the managers wage for him. "some people are of the opinion that if they pay you money then you are your employee" , well an employee is someone who does work for someone else for money....but in the case of builders they are 'self employed' so the issue is that they are simultaneously both an employee (in the eyes of the client) and self employed (in the eyes of the builder). It's not easy being a builder !
Turn up when you say you are going to turn up,do a good job,clean up after you liked you promised,and I will pay you the rest of the money like I promised........simple
I just wish they would sit down at the start of the job and plan it, then revisit the plan as it changes and set time aside to communicate with me the customer. It works in all our non construction professional lives why not for builders? P.P.P.P.P.P..... probably loads of construction professionals that do this.... working on millionaires houses!
Its because most jobs are priced off drawings and communication with an actual engineer or architect are rare unless the client has lots of money and 90% of jobs go very smoothly 🔨
Nobody wants to pay for time to sit down, discuss, plan, draw, research, calculate, think about issues to solve...we're expected to start right away, any time not banging on stuff is considered being lazy.
Listening to this makes me realise how lucky I am, because in my world these things are none existent and in my head I'm at a loss to understand why anyone would conduct themselves in this manner, let alone their business. I must just have blinkers on.
I've just finished mopping the floor and picking up cigarette butts at the end of the first day having the builders in. At least they turned up this time, then buggered of again at 9. Thankfully came back!
My old boss had the builders arrive to start on his new extension. 1/chopped four metres from his hose pipe that just reached the bottom of the garden to connect to the tap for the mixer. 2/his wife supplied the tea,coffee and sugar then at the end of the day cups,sugar scattered all over it was like a scavenger hunt every night. 3/‘borrowed’ his toolkit without asking to fix the mixer and had to be asked if they had seen it anywhere.
I'm always a bit wary, when customers start offering the tea and biscuits: once is fine, and hospitable, but if you're not careful they can end up thinking that you're expecting it as a right. I always used to take a flask with me - I'd accept one cup, then tell them after that, that I had the flask, but thanks anyway.
The one you missed is not being able to hand over a descent quotation. Just typing a large amount of money on what's app with a few vague assumptions on what's included and completely ignoring the spell checker, is not very reassuring that you're gonna deliver a good job. This is what happened to me when I wanted my shower done and once again I ended up doing the job myself.
I was two hours late, primarily because I was up to 1:30 AM completing another job. The client was really pissed and kicked me out of their house! Seems a little unreasonable to me.
As you say- it's someone's HOME. Treat it with respect. If you're fitting a few doors or similar, you can't order a portaloo - so you'll need to use theirs. But you can 1) Ask first. 2) Take off your shoes if you're going upstairs, and 3) Make sure the WC's clean, when you've had a Jimmy (never anything else!) and 4) If they haven't a privacy lock on the door, knock quietly, before opening it.
Regarding cleaning. What I hate about them is that they sweep the dirt under the joists or in the garden hoping it’ll just get buried. Or when they’re boarding or tiling in mess. Just keep demolition separate from building up.
Currently going through your old videos as i've watched a few here and there and finally subscribed. I know a few tradesmen and the way people treat you guys can be shocking. Make tea, accept they'll need a piss now and again and provide a decent lunch (thick cut bacon keeps 'em happy) and you'll generally get a much happier team working for you. I get the cleaning up thing but I think that's weird from customers, I'm hiring skill I don't have, I'll clean up when you're gone, have a rest and come back tomorrow refreshed and ready to do more stellar work.
the builder i work with is theeeee most punctual, logical, time keeping, honest, hard working Builder ive ever worked for. he rips me all day but he gives me plenty of offcuts of timber which i make stuff with. hes professional, chatty and good sense of humour. Hes clever at getting more work too. when you consider cowboys charging the earth and getting away with it, it makes you wonder...
I remember back in the late 80s working for some miserable old spinster before the days of having site loos was mandatory. She refused the use of using the loo and being human, you gotta go. By the end of the 3 month job her plants down the end of the garden started to wilt, I don't reckon she had any sense of smell cos by the end of the job that part of the garden smelt terrible 😁
@@SkillBuilder My mother used to collect urine for plants, you have to store it for a period of time for the harmful elements to degrade or something like that!
The first 2 drive me mad - dear builders (OK - plumbers) - if you dont turn up and I stay off work - I dont earn! Let us know you are not interested, cant do the job or just wont come because you have other more interesting things to do, all these are OK - Dont waste our time AND lose us money, these are not OK!!
My biggest complaint is them doing work without consulting me on important details. You come home from work to find the doors have been hung in your new extension - great stuff......Ahh, but no-one asked you which way you wanted the doors to open or which side to put the hinges. On my recent loft conversion I came home one day to discover 2 Velux windows had been installed but at no point was I asked what size I wanted, what colour trim, what style of Velux etc. It's really simple stuff to get right - just speak to the customer. Overall though I have been pleased with my latest builder. They were super clean which is great to see - even turning up to my house on days when they had done no work themselves simply to clean up after other tradesmen like plasterers etc.
Builders assuming that customers no FA about the job they are doing for them... An ex girl friends extension was built up to top of window height and was half a brick out of line over 3m from the existing wall of the house... complete abortion. The professional who did it tried to blag that it was ok... as soon as I saw it I pointed it out... The main contractor almost had a fight with the fulla who did it... it was taken down and rebuilt. If I hadn't come over and spotted it they would have left it...
I hate that none are available, I'm having to learn to weld, lay bricks and render to fix some issues around the house :/ oh I also hate the quote system, got multiple quotes between $3-5k and you expect it will take a few days.. nope, done in 6 hours and obviously with a fixed fee they rush it and do a rough job.
Last year i needed some work done and needed some tradesman. Honestly I hate them. The thing that used to annoy me the most was them not turning up, not quoting or just dissapearing. like honestly just say you can't do it, how hard is that. Don't waste people;s time. Waiting around on days off for them to turn up for them to not bother in the end. Then they want payment straight away once job is done. Which i naively paid as i always think the guys done the work so needs paying etc. Only then to find after a few days something hasn't been done correctly or theres a leak or somethings broken etc. When you try to get them back to fix it they don't bother as they have already been paid. Also to add the house was empty whilst the work was going on. Then one day i was looking around and found cigarette ends all over inside the house. They were smoking in the house whilst i wasnt there.
Also be careful of using family / friends - they tend to do the work in their spare time which can make the process drag out and work be rushed, you end up paying market rate anyway as you don't want to take advantage of their generosity, its very difficult to tell them how you want things to be done and if they end up not doing a good job you are stuck!
A word of advise from someone who has lived a little : don't hire a family/friend builder. If you value your friendship or pleasant family dinners, ask the family/friend which builder he would recommend for the job. And go with that builder.
Not turning up/not calling to say they're not coming is vile. It's the sign of someone that doesn't give a toss. Their next comment will be to slag people off like they are owed a living when they haven't got any work.
You missed the biggest one! The builder exhibit the hairs on his bum as it breaks over the top of his trousers when bending over. I think I will start contracting girls for a better environment?
Not returning with quotes and instead just being honest and saying there isn't enough margin in it for them. Instead they piss you about for a week and ignore messages. Also being dishonest and making up extra jobs then acting dumb when they are caught out.
Leaving an absolute mess and starting a job then leaving your home upside down saying they’ll return in a day or two - 3 weeks later! Not putting the toilet seat up is another one
The one tool thats made me the most money is my vac. Leaving a customers house cleaner than you found it is the best way to get more work.
I agree. In 100% of the cases it is cleaner after we leave as well. People don’t move shit and think so little of you that they’ll leave all sorts of stuff and filth in your way.
@@Dmrdecs Yeah, that gets me too. And I've found that the more educated the folks are, the filthier it is... Go figure.
Hi Roger, can you do a video on drill chucks ,which drill has the best chuck, I use makita tools and I think there chucks are crap ,,the bits come loose and fall out as your drilling, are any other makes better ? Regards Frank 👍🤔
Get a wet vac. Great for cleaning waste traps too.
@@handycrowd some people pay to become smart
Nearly all of these complaints are caused by one thing and one thing only - lack of communication from the tradesman. I’d much rather they told me they can’t turn up for another month than make me lose one of my precious 20 days holiday a year sitting in all day twiddling my thumbs wondering where the heck they are.
We’re all human, we understand there might have been a problem in a previous job. Just tell me I’ll understand, but stop lying ffs.
I also understand your estimate might have been way too low. You might not have considered something or something might have broke, or there might have been something unexpected found. Again, just communicate.
If you don’t want to quote for the job then again just tell me and tell me why. If I’m to blame then I’ll aim to fix my attitude. If the job is to blame then I’ll maybe break it down and sub it out to different people
Alot of people expect to have the job done next week attitude and extra cost is always haggled over as alot of people don't understand we can't see any unforeseen damage and the price is the price in their minds and you're better getting one builder in to do it all who has his individual subbys because not everyone thinks about the next trade hope that helps 🔨
Tradesmen Lol,Lol,Lol, Lol….. It’s easier to find God.
@@tomsmith9048 if these things are happening to you regularly then you are clearly not running your business professionally.
@@Chequr_Prostate I never mentioned regularly once pal you must be reading someone else's
@@tomsmith9048 If you’d have read my post you would notice it said “If”. I can see why your customers maybe getting so confused.
This guy is one of the most knowledgeable tradesmen I've ever listened to. He's spot on
My mum is currently renovating her new house and is sadly being messed around by a couple of contractors.
A couple of guys turned up the other week and then both immediately disappeared to "get parts" (despite already knowing the job) and were gone for most of the afternoon without explaining so much as to where they'd gone or why they both needed to go. Of course they then tried charging a day rate.
Another tiler apparently didn't quote for tiling behind her new free standing bath so thought he could leave with the bare plaster still on show. Then when I inspected his work over the weekend, I found huge gaps in the grouting and just general shoddy work. Sadly she'd already paid him.
It's a shame because the other guys she's got working are absolutely fantastic and go above and beyond (such as doing weekend shifts to not leave her in the lurch). A few bad apples really spoil it for the rest.
When I was self employed and doing bathroom refurbs I went to price a job , customer said 4 other guys had been out but none of them had quoted for the job . I wondered why this was until he got out drawings and a specification, he was an architect. I quoted and got the job , never had any problems. Just your attitude and professionalism that gets things done .
You are spot on. The other guys were probably nervous that they'd actually have to do the job correctly, that they'd not be able to pull the wool over this guys eyes, do a bad job, take the cash and run. Well done you. Do you do work in South Wales? We are in dire need of builders with professionalism here.
Yeah, wonder also why any builder would be in awe for clear expectations ...
I think the
Most important tool my father in law had in his kit was a brush! His jobs were spotless and through word of mouth was never without work even in the lean times….word of mouth I guess. As he approached retirement age because of the demand he used the reliable tradesmen he’d built up over the years and became the fixer (or middleman) he planned and oversaw everything (popped in to se how it was all going!) but it became a good pension as well as keeping his interest in the job he loved.
Be interesting to compare the 9 points on your two rants, Roger. How many are the same from a different/opposite perspective? Going to watch the other again now!
Needed a flat roof replacement. Called 6 local roofers, only 1 turned up at all and then never quoted. Disgusting. I now do not trust tradesmen at all. Use TH-cam to learn and then DIY! I did and is absolutely fine.
I need my flat roof done last year. same issue as you. called about 8-10 of them. 2 turned up, none of them quoted. had to do it myself in the end.terrible isnt it?
An old school builder told me his top tip to win and keep customers was to have a very clean tidy Van. They have nice houses, a nice car or two, lovely garden. Last thing they want is a dirty, rusty, battered old van in the drive.
I also this it speaks volumes about your attitude to the customer. if you have no pride in your van, what pride are you going to take in your work?
Had some really bad experiences with builders many years ago. First one ripped off the plaster on my first house to do the damp course then left it for a month, had a catalogue of lies. Last one was the final straw - oh the clutch went on my van and it’s at the garage - weird as he drove past me several times in a different part of the City. Second one decided to leave his concrete mixer resting against the back door, our only exit point to the garden. Ignored phone calls, after 2 weeks I tracked down his wife and informed her I would have it removed to the public back alley. He immediately phoned me and threatened me ‘ I’m a black belt in Karate and will beat the sh#t out of you’. I phoned him back and gave him the crime reference number - he went quite.
Have you got my house bugged? We've experienced all these problems. My favourites being
The roofer who turned up five weeks after we called him to fix a leak, got told to go away.
The aerial fitter who promised to be here at 8am and arrived at 11;30 said he'd held up on another job.
The plasterer who left the house looking like a bomb had gone off on day one, didn't arrive on day two, got here day three to find all his gear on the pavement.
The block pavers (not pikeys) who spent three days effing at each other before fighting with one hitting the other with a shovel.
Also found those "reccomended trader" sites a waste of time.
That's absolutely true Roger!Problem is, as a potential customer is knowing where to get a good tradesman.I do most things myself and only have someone in if I really can't do it for the reasons you talked about and a few more,or if I would end up buying specialist tools just for that one job. Would you consider doing a video about what pee's people off about builders merchants.For me as Joe public I find the prices of materials varies depending upon which branch or person you talk to and tools and equipment normally overpriced unless you have a trade account. Ahh, that's because they will buy alot more than Joe public, but at the end of the day I would have still taken my money there rather than the competition down the road!!☹Great video!👍
Am I right or wrong to say that really good builders/contractors/tradesmen are not really interested in jobs under a certain price and therefore are not interested?
The lower quality people usually end up getting the cheaper jobs??
Absolutely. Here in UK no plumber I could find had any interest in putting in a bath. Unless I had a complete bathroom refurb they weren't interested.
Good builders are getting lots of work atm. Maybe it's because loads of people have bought new homes due to the stamp duty relief? So they can afford to be picky and even over price work to avoid it or accept it since the fiancé's are worth it.
I'm also getting that feeling. The problem is that I can do a lot myself, but need some professional help from time to time. So ideally, I would be able to find help from a master tradesman, against his appropriate wage. But that's very hard to find.
If you think about it there's a whole load of mucking around that we don't really make money on around jobs, and its often not vastly different on a job that is a week long vs a job that's going to last a couple of months. And if people start mucking around, or the job's not straightforward the cost/benefit starts looking pretty slim after a while.
And when you get down to maintenance type of things where its just half a day or something, I'd honestly rather just have the day off. I do stuff like that for existing clients who I feel some obligation to, but for random people I've never met its usually just too much trouble, because it often it turns into something that you get bogged down with because you have to order something, or it involves multiple trades (who also want nothing to do with it, so you end up dragging in other tradesmen you know and using up your goodwill with them!) and you're going to have to come back 3 times etc.
I've actually got a job at the moment that falls squarely into this category. I should never have said yes to it, I've been back there about 6 times and I'm running around trying to find other people to get stuff done, I don't have time for any of it, I don't want to do any of it and I have made exactly zero dollars for all the stress it's caused so far. In fact its costing me money because I keep having to take time away from working on other places!
100% I was asked to swing 2 doors I said 200 she said she could get them for 70 pound I tried to explain driving to and from loading and unloading I was getting the furniture for them as I didn't want cheap hinges cleaning hoovering up ect 🙄 basically just wanted to pay as soon as I took the first screw out of a hinge 🤦♂️😡🔨
All those points are the same thing = communication.
I have no idea why both sides are so afraid to ask questions BEFORE a job starts
From personal experience, I learnt a hard lesson on a kitchen build..
The punter does not ask questions as they do not know enough to ask questions..
I employed a kitchen fitter. 'Kitchen' to a punter means a fully working kitchen.
Turns out 'kitchen fitter' meant that he only fits the cupboards..
No plumbing of sink, any spark work, fridge, fridge feed, oven install, finishing oak table tops, tiling, painting, hot tap etc.
Since then I ask all trades,, 'what is it you don't do that I'll have to arrange after you'.
My inexperience and lack of communication from the kitchen dude caused this.
Which begs the question... do trades expect all customers to have previous knowledge of the job?
Simple customer service of knowing that every customer you deal with hasn't spent time as a construction project manager and knows the end to end process would be great.
Shrugging your shoulders and saying 'not my problem' may be logically accurate, but a pretty poor way to conduct business.
I've had so-called tradesmen do work that have completely ballsed up yet claim they've done a great job and I've had to kick them off site.
My tips are: go off word of mouth, not fancy websites, false promises, gob shites etc. If they let you down or you have a bad feeling about them (you can sense them after a while) f*ck them off asap. If you've done your research about how about something SHOULD be done by the regs rather than someone fobbing you off with "this is the way ive always done it!" - because it's easier/quicker/cheaper for them, stick by your guns. YOU are the customer, not them. Some trades come across like they're doing you a favour. Get rid and get in people who know their stuff, turn up when they say they will, do the job properly at the price they quoted.
Either that or get some good tools, learn the trades and the regs and get stuck in. Sure, you'll make mistakes along the way but you'll save a fortune and you'll be able to stand back, look at your work and say "I did that."
Roger some tradesmen in the building industry have only done site work and don’t know how to adapt to domestic work This is part of the problem with swearing etc You have to learn to adapt to different situations in your working life
you are right and none of this is aimed at people who have no contact with the public. I feel sorry for Polish people etc who come over and learn their English on building sites, it is the worst English imaginable.
Ive been trying to have my drive done for a year, 170 square meters. 3 people turned up out of 15 to quote over nine months. The one we picked kept giving us a start date, and he never stuck to it, then stopped calling, then blocked my number.
I suspect he underquoted, but had he just said that, and committed to a date, id have paid.
Regarding the lateness of builders, come on builders, I am sure that none of you have ever heard "while your here"!
Never have I done work somewhere and not been asked the "while you're here can you just... insert job name here".
most builders are lying constantly and you just partly defended their behavior. Shame on you!
Glad you didn’t mention radios. Can’t work in silence 😬
I was going to mention radios but ran out of space, the list goes on and on
Did anybody mention music... by which I mean a site radio tuned into Drum & Bass or something equally horrific, at a very loud volume.
Great video Roger🤩 There's a lot of info to take in there😂
I suppose the irony is - the Builders and Customers that didn't already uphold these values / avoid these problems are probably not going to want to change or recognise they had the problem in the first place - and the good ones don't need the advice!
Nice to balance the scale here Roger!
Yes there is no serious intention to change anything here, it is just a bit of fun.
@@SkillBuilder But still spot on!
How true; the only problem is if you stick your head above the parapet to complain someone attempts to blow your head off!
portaloo? or you could do what the builders did when working next door to me, just pissed up against the skip.
It's when they shit in cement mixer that the trouble really starts 👍
Happens a lot.
@@MattyEngland I find a paint can works well
@@anthonydefreitas6006 😂😂👍
Oil can next to the mixer. No one suspects a thing... ;-)
😅 I've had 4 builders round to quote me on 2 extensions. Only 1 has given me half a quote. 3/4 weeks later I'm still waiting... 😑
Your right mate had it all
So funny how true all this is.
Text the customer when you're running late. Appreciated by the customer, and not embarrassing for the tradesman.
Generally use technology to get pictures from the customer first etc.
Mobile phones should be a great tool, and not just a distraction.
builders pretending to be plumbers, nightmare roge
It's so funny that a video like this should even be necessary, but you're dead right on every point ....... Although - Pre-Portable Loo's - it was a Nightmare when the Client STRICTLY FORBAD the use of their toilet ....... I've walked away from those jobs in the past (But given the very good reason of course ;-) ...... And Swearing!! ..... I've done it on Sites, but never at home, socially, or on private jobs .... HOW does that even work?? .... Very peculiar ..... And as you say, you turn up to price a job but the customer doesn't see that THEY are the problem .... Grrrrrr!!! .......... Had to price a job up in a bungalow where the Woman had TWO lovely Old-English-Sheepdogs bounding about all over place........ After I gave her the price I said she'd have to keep the dogs well out of the way ..... OH NO!! The Dogs MUST have the run of the house AT ALL TIMES!! ......... I did tell her though, (to her face - politely) to screw up the estimate there and then :-)
If a customer wouldn’t let me use the toilet I wouldn’t take the job tbf but I understand if it’s a big job with a load of scruffy labourers! Etc Thankfully I work on a smaller scale so I don’t have to deal with stuff like this 🙄👍
If a customer wouldn’t let me use the toilet I wouldn’t take the job tbf but I understand if it’s a big job with a load of scruffy labourers! Etc Thankfully I work on a smaller scale so I don’t have to deal with stuff like this 🙄👍
So funny video
Nice one 👍
Of course there are only 8 - well it was ony an estimate love!
In regards to requested videos, a specific example on how to price a job. You have made a video in the past regarding this topic but a specific example would be helpful. Doesn't have to be a large job, for example a garden fence or decking. The price of materials is one thing but working out a price for time and labour is another, especiallywhen you don't know what is underground etc. Thanks.
They'll never give that as the price is different depending upon location
@@tomsmith9048 I'm not after a price buddy, I'm after a breakdown of the process that gets them their cost.
@@troyolszewski3087 it's normally time and materials that's as simple as it gets that's how I price mine hope that helps 🔨
Troy
When you buy a car, do you get a breakdown of the cost of every component? A price is a price and people can charge what they want.
Fair enough guys I'll keep doing what I'm doing in that case as it's working, just always looking to learn something new 👍🏼 appreciated.
Now we post this to the customer before we start work?
Do u live near essex? work is needed on my house
Where in Essex?
@@SkillBuilder hi Southend on sea
No swearing might be a tough sell for us scottish builders. Cursing is used as punctuation here
Absofuckinglutely
@@highdownmartin Nice tmesis, or should that be expletive infixation?... ;-)
I've heard all the things they hate but only ever had ONE issue with a customer and it was a scamming moron that constantly pushed for additional work, which as it was a full renovation open planning the lot and 3 to 4 bedding it, so I did a lot for free. Soon as I wouldn't plaster, paint, door frame and bespoke build a door for an old outside toilet to make an ott storage space, he got arsey and wudnt pay the agreed price at the end despite all the freebies! Only time I ever had a cross word with a customer.
All others I've found great, friendly n decent. I quote, explain, if I think there could be hidden issues I do my best to tell them before we start and let them know it could be worse than it looks atm etc.
I leave their home clean and tidy at the end of each day, I don't swear or banter loudly with others in their home, I keep as quiet as possible n I treat their home with respect and they appreciate it!
Nothing like 100 things builders hate about customers LOL
I Give up doing Plumbering, Wiring, wood work, for, People, They Want cards, to see if I have been to
This all boils down to communication. Even now after 34 years I still forget sometimes and assume that the customer has done some research or at least has a basic knowledge of how a house goes together. But NO, even with Google people are still pretty clueless, or are playing dumb, its hard to figure out which one sometimes. Put everything in writing, its the only way.
Yeah, some panic as well once they start seeing the 'guts' of the house.
They don't realise that we see it every day and of course it doesn't faze us, but they fear it's going to be impossible to put back together!
Get a Arlo go camera on site - notify them this is the way is. You are being monitored- don’t like it - sling your hook 🪝
Then you will be on your Jack Jones with no builders. It is all about give and take. You give them tea and biscuits and they take the piss and bugger off early
@@SkillBuilder well to be honest - tradesmen with nothing to hide don’t mind it. They need cash. Cameras are useful because it increases communication. You can say things like “that’s a great job keep it up sunshine”
Yes, a rant request: #hempcrete!
People don't mind paying an honest, skilled builder a fair price.
The problem is that honest, skilled builders are nowhere to be found, except on this TH-cam channel.
I had a builder who did an extension for me who managed to cover your whole list in one job, I am still mentally scarred 2 years later
Sorry to hear that, I had a builder who was completely opposite to the list, top notch and loved everything he did. So much so I now do plastering for him.
I never understand how the builders like this ever get work in the first place. Who is recommending them??
@@JonBoi9211 Cheap quotes
@@jamesrodgers3132 yes obviously. I mean how do people find them in the first place 🤣 surely cant have any decent reviews to look at. Customers are clearly clueless at times
@@jamesrodgers3132 Nope, just recommendations. Not all bad builders are bad all the time, just as not all good builders are good all the time.
Everybody gets three quotes these days and will check the review sites. I've done all the due diligence that's expected and I still get the A Team coming to do the quote and give the all the assurances of excellence. Then on day 1 of the job (usually 3 weeks late), the van arrives, two spotty teenagers are booted out with no tools / broken tools and they are tasked to do the job......which turns out terribly for all concerned.
Builders who don't stay on the job really get my goat. If you've got so many jobs you can't devote your time to, then you either need to prioritise what you can do or take on more staff. Walking off part way through because "I've got another job elsewhere" is unprofessional. If the work the builder agreed to do for me is too inconvenient they should have said so & I'll find someone who can take on the job til it's done.
You're always trying to keep everyone happy and off your back in the construction game. The problem is nowadays people are really very selfish and expect their job to jump to top of the Q. Stuff everyone else.. maybe an old dear urgently waiting on fireplace going in that's just arrived for example.. or visitors coming and needs the flooring down that just arrived after a months delay etc it's not all plain sailing..lads generally try their best to accommodate people. It always pains me to say but at least 90% of the public couldn't do this job hassles alone and plan jobs chase money etc. No chance
Nice one Roger, I work with a lot of builders that keep the site clean - customer might not know construction, but they do know tidy, which then impresses them...and can compensate for any minor mistakes!
😉👍🏻
How about a list of what trades hate about other trades, like plasterers not cleaning out back boxes for sparks 🤔
Sparks putting up wonky faceplates for the painters?
How about sparks leaving their sheathing proud of the wall.
Mathew Rogers Great suggestion, we will do that
A joiner once moaned about my noggins pushing door linings out, never thought about it till he mentioned it. Now I make they're cut precise near doors instead of hammering in. We can all learn from each other to save problems on 2nd fix and help each other out
@@Dmrdecs Painters getting paint on everything they go near?
You need to start selling a skill builder "cocaine and junk food" t shirt
Are you suggesting Richard is on the marching powder?
@@jasonantigua6825 free daytime barstool rent t’Shirt sponsored by a local pub
@@jasonantigua6825 yeah he won't shut up
Nice biased builder video with an underlying tone. There are many reasons why so many customers don't like builders and mostly it's down to attitude. If you have a decent attitude then people will generally get along.
Yes but what is a decent attitude?
Generally, the customer's attitude and the builder's attitude will influence each other.
Depends if the customer is a tosser or not.
Sometimes "a decent attitude" is "I expect to abuse you and you should take it"
@@SkillBuilder Don't do to others, what you don't want others to do to you. OR Do to others, what you want others to do to you.
i have actually taken time off work in the past for builders to come and work as agreed, they didnt turn up. Stupid me. Live and learn
I can put up with all of these things if you just do a good job. I will always pay good money for good work. Sadly, it can be very difficult to find good trades these days and it's really stressful dealing with the crap ones.
You are absolutely right, we hired a brilliant Bulgarian painter and decorator who stripped off 60 years of wallpaper and Artex coated ceilings from a 3 bedroom Hse and made good. He did such a brilliant job whilst listing to rap music full volume and smoking the wacky backy. If you do a brilliant job people don't care about your eccentricities or profanities.
It depends what you class as good money 🤔🔨
I think you've hit the nail on the head. I've worked with some terrible trades, no etiquette no manners and so rude. plus I think there just aren't the lads coming through like they used to and no body of any ilk to train them. I'm in plumbing and everyone thinks that being gassafe is the quick way to their fortune, but actually its bathrooms IMHO. But try and find a bathroom fitter that can do everything, they are like gold dust. And yet I still get people call me up and expect me to come next week. I'm booked till mid November atm! Crazy
Agree with the underwear comment . When I was single and lived in a nice flat I recommended my plumber mate to a neighbour who because he was my mate, left him alone do do the job . Within 5 minutes of her leaving he was texting me pics of her expensive underwear all laid out on the bed!!! I was disgusted and ran up there as fast as I could to make sure they were all folded up properly and put away neatly. Def a two man job I thought 😂
If I ever find a tradesman that has none of the qualities you mention I'd pay double. I've been trying to get work done on my house for months and I can't even get past the "not returning your calls" stage. I know they're busy and Covid is causing supply issues but for God sake RETURN MY CALLS even it's just to tell me you can't do (or don't want) the work. Rant over.
The problem is builders can pick n choose their jobs now . Severe shortage skilled labour and good ones are currently off the scale busy with returning customers who they know their money's sound.
I'm still waiting for the builders to come round . It's been 6 years now . Plasterer's not turning up , renderer's not turning up . SO I've learnt to do things myself , saved fortunes.
I don’t mind swearing. It’s the gossip I can’t stand. No idea why would builders gossip about some other client while they are at anothers home. Makes me think they will go the the next job and gossip about me.
Of course they do and it is only builders that do that. Beware the ones who blow smoke up your backside.
Some builders I had in gossiped about the neighbours they'd quoted for over the back - within earshot! It didn't end well!
Exactly. If the builder gossips about another client during the initial meeting with you, I would consider that a huge red flag. Find someone else.
Roger, you and your team, absolutely make my day. In the trade for decades, and now a ‘budding retiree’, I’m so impressed with one thing, and one thing only. . . HONESTY! Goes a helluva long way. Keep up the great work/ reports, and above all, make sure James gets an ‘All expenses paid holiday’ for him and his family ? And while you’re at it, take one yourself! Best regards.
Builders full of bull crap, never on time if they turn up at all hate dealing with them.
Sounds like you've not found the right guys yet... Sorry for that.
Go to your local builders merchant (when it's quiet) and ask the guys behind the desk to recommend the good guys. They see them all, they know who to go for.
Roger the customer that fills the skip up before you've had a chance to put the works debris in. Delivered on the Friday turn up on Monday they filled it up with their rubbish.
That's the funniest thing I've ever heard. My boss would flip.
I had a skip and on day two someone plonked a king size mattress in it and Two full rolls of light pink carpet, I was terribly pissed off
Yes I taught my builders quite a lot and didn’t charge them a penny.
I caught a builder sniffing my wife's underwear and just laughed at him. Didn't have the heart to tell him it was mine. Why should women have the most comfy undies?
hah :)
Did you just post that under your real name?
As a former sparky who now works in the design, planning and management of commercial construction projects, this is why we have pre start meetings, so many things that Customers don’t realise about builders/building works and likewise things builders don’t realise about the customers.
That said, builders not turning up or quoting when they’ve said they will is just ridiculous, completely unnecessary.
True fax ^^
Couldn't agree more.
What builders do not seem to understand is, that when you try to pull the wool over a customers eyes and not levelling with them, that it destroys trust. Figure that, lying, also by omission destroys trust. TRUST is the key, most important element between builder and customer.
Far better to own up that you can't come, or that you can't do a job, or that you are not able to deliver or come by a certain date, because honesty builds trust. However making the customer take a leave from their work to wait for builders who are not showing up, destroys trust in no time. And as a builder, you will need to build that trust up again if you want this customer to do your free adverstising to his friends and family.
Don't act like an infant, grow some balls and communicate changes in plans. A disappointed customer is FAR better then an "angry and mistrustfull" customer. And when you have build enough resentment in your customer, your customer WILL find fault in your work and dispute the invoice in the end without any scrupules. That you can trust.
With all due respect to the competent builders out there, but your industry is being brought down massively by a lot of these clowns who one day wake up and say 'hey, I'm going to be a builder', yet the way they carry themselves is disgraceful. We live in a world of choice where we can hire the services of anyone and usually the decision can be quick and smooth, yet the decision has somehow become much harder when it comes to hiring builders because of the stigma and lack of trust they have caused. None of these behaviours would be tolerated in the corporate environment, so I am so confused why builders think they have been gifted an exception and can get away with it despite being self-employed. Ultimately people buy people. Anyway, in closing, if you're a competent builder and none of these 9 items apply to you, then please get in touch me. I'll pay you a fair wage for the job as long as you return the favour by not breaking my trust :) I'm always renovating and finding good tradespeople in London is by far the toughest job.
Turn up on time! Have respect! Keep the place clean! Act professional look professional do your job professionally!! Offer good sound advice for free you shouldn’t go far wrong that’s my advice!! Also if you’re going to rush a job don’t rush it at the end the finish is what it’s all about! 😉
Fantastic advice: "Also if you’re going to rush a job don’t rush it at the end the finish is what it’s all about!"
@@longleaf0 Thanks for the like mate! My one rule in my daily thinking/job is do it to the best of your ability! If you do that you’re on the right track!! 👍
Your talks do make me chuckle. A lot of what you say is spot on true. I always think it best to be honest, even when you know the customer will not like it.
You didn't mention the way builders herald their presence by having a radio blairing out all day..even when they nowhere to be seen..as if to say, yes, we're here! it doesn't matter if you're ill in bed or on night shift, or trying to study, or don't like noise, our job is the most important in the street and we need to let you know..WE'RE STILL HERE!!!!
office workers get central heating/air conditioning, builders get a radio. suck it up buttercup
Brilliant - nice one Roger. And like all the best comedy it works because there's a grain of truth in it. If I was TV commissioning editor I'd give you a series based on your vlogs (roger's rants)
Overcharging is part of the job.
Can’t see through walls and under floors never know what your gonna find.
One thing I could never understand is that it is ok for a customer to get paid from their job, but when it comes to the tradesmen getting paid it feels like the customer is saying you don't deserve to get paid, you know that feeling I'm talking about? this is even when the customer is happy with the job, everybody deserves to earn a living don't they?
I feel like it's a power thing half the time. If you're waged the money appears weekly and if it doesn't you don't go in Monday, but with a contract getting your customer to pay is like pulling teeth.
That is a flawed comparison. Customers get paid for their jobs at the end of the month - which is the equivalent of "after the work is done" - which is the incentive for them to do a good job, and they get performance managed throughout the month. Customers are, rightly, reluctant to pay for work before it is done or at least until after they can see that it is done to their satisfaction/as agreed.
What i don't understand is when you pay the tradesman and then there is some snagging issues. when you call them back they don't bother as they have already been paid. Maybe this is why some people don't pay them until they have checked everything because you know once you've paid that guy he won't be seen again.
I've had too many tradesmen in my time who leave snags after getting paid. I'm sorry for being that guy, but unless there is a signed payment schedule you get paid once the job is finished and no snags are left. I am happy to pay for the work, everyone deserves to not be messed around, but it goes both ways.
You know what i hate about builders, those tiny hats they wear.
You could seriously turn this into a comedy sketch! You’re a funny man Richard.
Roger 🤣
Yep, always a good idea to learn your builders name. Isn't that right, Ricky 🤣
I had a quote for 4 sash windows and new back door measured up gave a quote agreed a date still waiting a year later a phone call to say they didn't want the job would have been so easy instead of leaving us in limbo .
I think some of the problems come from the fact that trades people have chosen to become self employed because they do not want to work for a boss and want their own freedom, the clients on the other hand are either employees (used to taking orders at work and carrying them out professionally) or employers (used to given orders and having them carried out professionally). All of Rogers items show a lack of professionalism that would lead to a warning in most workplaces. As far as timekeeping how about having a clocking machine on site ? If not why not ?
Because self employed people have numerous bosses🙄 or as we call it a board of directors 😫 and everybody knows who knows best 😡definitely not the employee 🤦♂️🔨
You only need a clock if you're paying the builders on a daily rate.
Doesn't bother that much. I've worked on jobs with cameras everywhere. I've nothing to hide, and don't slack. But clock's are pointless if you're on a price.
@@tomsmith9048 I've been an employee and seen staff members having to manage the manager, ie the manager isn't much good so the staff are managing the job whilst letting the boss think they are doing a good job.
@@dialog245 yes but the staff aren't paying his wages and some people are of the opinion that they pay you money your their employee but I have worked for some lovely people who are very understanding 🔨
@@tomsmith9048 The staff are earning the managers wage for him. "some people are of the opinion that if they pay you money then you are your employee" , well an employee is someone who does work for someone else for money....but in the case of builders they are 'self employed' so the issue is that they are simultaneously both an employee (in the eyes of the client) and self employed (in the eyes of the builder). It's not easy being a builder !
Turn up when you say you are going to turn up,do a good job,clean up after you liked you promised,and I will pay you the rest of the money like I promised........simple
Or they put scaffolding across your outward opening door so you can’t get out of the house and not turn up so it’s there much longer than needed
That's what angle grinders were made for lol! ;-)
I just wish they would sit down at the start of the job and plan it, then revisit the plan as it changes and set time aside to communicate with me the customer. It works in all our non construction professional lives why not for builders?
P.P.P.P.P.P..... probably loads of construction professionals that do this.... working on millionaires houses!
Its because most jobs are priced off drawings and communication with an actual engineer or architect are rare unless the client has lots of money and 90% of jobs go very smoothly 🔨
Nobody wants to pay for time to sit down, discuss, plan, draw, research, calculate, think about issues to solve...we're expected to start right away, any time not banging on stuff is considered being lazy.
Listening to this makes me realise how lucky I am, because in my world these things are none existent and in my head I'm at a loss to understand why anyone would conduct themselves in this manner, let alone their business. I must just have blinkers on.
I've just finished mopping the floor and picking up cigarette butts at the end of the first day having the builders in. At least they turned up this time, then buggered of again at 9. Thankfully came back!
My old boss had the builders arrive to start on his new extension.
1/chopped four metres from his hose pipe that just reached the bottom of the garden to connect to the tap for the mixer.
2/his wife supplied the tea,coffee and sugar then at the end of the day cups,sugar scattered all over it was like a scavenger hunt every night.
3/‘borrowed’ his toolkit without asking to fix the mixer and had to be asked if they had seen it anywhere.
I'm always a bit wary, when customers start offering the tea and biscuits: once is fine, and hospitable, but if you're not careful they can end up thinking that you're expecting it as a right. I always used to take a flask with me - I'd accept one cup, then tell them after that, that I had the flask, but thanks anyway.
The one you missed is not being able to hand over a descent quotation. Just typing a large amount of money on what's app with a few vague assumptions on what's included and completely ignoring the spell checker, is not very reassuring that you're gonna deliver a good job. This is what happened to me when I wanted my shower done and once again I ended up doing the job myself.
always worth using a descent spell checker
@@multirevelator Are you sure? I always use spell czech.
@@multirevelator Sloppy quotation indicates sloppy job possibly. All a matter of taking pride in what you do.
@@hunchbackaudio been a while since i had a sloppy job, came in at the agreed price though
You know Construction workers don't use any what's the word 🤔 exactly 🤪🍻
I was two hours late, primarily because I was up to 1:30 AM completing another job. The client was really pissed and kicked me out of their house! Seems a little unreasonable to me.
Just call in advance you will be late. You will not have this kind of problems.
As you say- it's someone's HOME. Treat it with respect. If you're fitting a few doors or similar, you can't order a portaloo - so you'll need to use theirs. But you can 1) Ask first. 2) Take off your shoes if you're going upstairs, and 3) Make sure the WC's clean, when you've had a Jimmy (never anything else!) and 4) If they haven't a privacy lock on the door, knock quietly, before opening it.
Regarding cleaning. What I hate about them is that they sweep the dirt under the joists or in the garden hoping it’ll just get buried.
Or when they’re boarding or tiling in mess. Just keep demolition separate from building up.
One thing customers hate about builders 🤔EVERYTHING 🙄🔨
Unless its FREE 😡
Why does he keep looking to his left
Looking for inspiration.
@@SkillBuilder you have to look up for that 🤣🤣🤣
Currently going through your old videos as i've watched a few here and there and finally subscribed. I know a few tradesmen and the way people treat you guys can be shocking. Make tea, accept they'll need a piss now and again and provide a decent lunch (thick cut bacon keeps 'em happy) and you'll generally get a much happier team working for you. I get the cleaning up thing but I think that's weird from customers, I'm hiring skill I don't have, I'll clean up when you're gone, have a rest and come back tomorrow refreshed and ready to do more stellar work.
the builder i work with is theeeee most punctual, logical, time keeping, honest, hard working Builder ive ever worked for. he rips me all day but he gives me plenty of offcuts of timber which i make stuff with. hes professional, chatty and good sense of humour. Hes clever at getting more work too. when you consider cowboys charging the earth and getting away with it, it makes you wonder...
I remember back in the late 80s working for some miserable old spinster before the days of having site loos was mandatory. She refused the use of using the loo and being human, you gotta go. By the end of the 3 month job her plants down the end of the garden started to wilt, I don't reckon she had any sense of smell cos by the end of the job that part of the garden smelt terrible 😁
I have always thought it helped the plants grow but maybe not
You obviously aren't a vegetarian...
@@SkillBuilder Needs watering in Roger ;-)
@@SkillBuilder My mother used to collect urine for plants, you have to store it for a period of time for the harmful elements to degrade or something like that!
@@jebimasta4604 I call that p155 pour gardening
The first 2 drive me mad - dear builders (OK - plumbers) - if you dont turn up and I stay off work - I dont earn! Let us know you are not interested, cant do the job or just wont come because you have other more interesting things to do, all these are OK - Dont waste our time AND lose us money, these are not OK!!
My biggest complaint is them doing work without consulting me on important details. You come home from work to find the doors have been hung in your new extension - great stuff......Ahh, but no-one asked you which way you wanted the doors to open or which side to put the hinges. On my recent loft conversion I came home one day to discover 2 Velux windows had been installed but at no point was I asked what size I wanted, what colour trim, what style of Velux etc. It's really simple stuff to get right - just speak to the customer.
Overall though I have been pleased with my latest builder. They were super clean which is great to see - even turning up to my house on days when they had done no work themselves simply to clean up after other tradesmen like plasterers etc.
Builders assuming that customers no FA about the job they are doing for them...
An ex girl friends extension was built up to top of window height and was half a brick out of line over 3m from the existing wall of the house... complete abortion. The professional who did it tried to blag that it was ok... as soon as I saw it I pointed it out...
The main contractor almost had a fight with the fulla who did it... it was taken down and rebuilt. If I hadn't come over and spotted it they would have left it...
I hate that none are available, I'm having to learn to weld, lay bricks and render to fix some issues around the house :/
oh I also hate the quote system, got multiple quotes between $3-5k and you expect it will take a few days.. nope, done in 6 hours and obviously with a fixed fee they rush it and do a rough job.
Last year i needed some work done and needed some tradesman. Honestly I hate them.
The thing that used to annoy me the most was them not turning up, not quoting or just dissapearing. like honestly just say you can't do it, how hard is that. Don't waste people;s time. Waiting around on days off for them to turn up for them to not bother in the end.
Then they want payment straight away once job is done. Which i naively paid as i always think the guys done the work so needs paying etc. Only then to find after a few days something hasn't been done correctly or theres a leak or somethings broken etc. When you try to get them back to fix it they don't bother as they have already been paid.
Also to add the house was empty whilst the work was going on. Then one day i was looking around and found cigarette ends all over inside the house. They were smoking in the house whilst i wasnt there.
Also be careful of using family / friends - they tend to do the work in their spare time which can make the process drag out and work be rushed, you end up paying market rate anyway as you don't want to take advantage of their generosity, its very difficult to tell them how you want things to be done and if they end up not doing a good job you are stuck!
A word of advise from someone who has lived a little : don't hire a family/friend builder. If you value your friendship or pleasant family dinners, ask the family/friend which builder he would recommend for the job. And go with that builder.
Not turning up/not calling to say they're not coming is vile. It's the sign of someone that doesn't give a toss.
Their next comment will be to slag people off like they are owed a living when they haven't got any work.
If anyone working in my house needs a brew, bacon or a shit then please crack on! Don't understand why a little hospitality is too much for people!
Sometimes you can't beat throwing a few fucks at a problem though...it's cathartic
You missed the biggest one! The builder exhibit the hairs on his bum as it breaks over the top of his trousers when bending over. I think I will start contracting girls for a better environment?
Not returning with quotes and instead just being honest and saying there isn't enough margin in it for them. Instead they piss you about for a week and ignore messages. Also being dishonest and making up extra jobs then acting dumb when they are caught out.
Leaving an absolute mess and starting a job then leaving your home upside down saying they’ll return in a day or two - 3 weeks later!
Not putting the toilet seat up is another one