Have a few small jobs that need doing and couldn't really be bothered doing them. so decided to get a few quotes. Talk about a mission.some say they will come and don't turn up, some turn up and say they'll send a quote and never do, advice on what needs doing varies wildly from one to the other. In the end I think DIY is less hassle. Some of the things supposed tradesmen say gives me very little confidence.
tamsim,
Feb 5, 6:42am
Yes I agree totally. The only thing to do is find someone you know personally, or a friend of a friend.
russ18,
Feb 5, 6:52am
I don't mind doing smalljobs but I wont quote them.
piquant,
Feb 5, 7:38am
Have you looked in "Services" on here! There are lots of small business owners that are owner operators in your area and have good feedback. They generally will go the extra mile whereas others may not. Worth a look at least, I think.
carter19,
Feb 5, 7:54am
Most tradesmen charge at least $50 per hour + gst. Alot of them wont come to quote because no-one wants to pay for that time as well as having the job done. If you get 2 people per day wanting quotes, by the time you write up the quotes it's 15 hours spent for people to say its not worth it. Can't blame them really especially of it's only a $100 job
rpvr,
Feb 5, 7:58am
I have no doubt you are right, just saying it becomes a real hassle to sort someone out. I tend to think if it's such an effort for someone to come and look at a job, will they ever come and actually do the job if it is offered to them! I once had a guy actually start a job (began pulling some wooden steps apart) then vanished and never returned despite promising to do so each time I phoned.
rpvr,
Feb 5, 8:04am
So why do so many advertise "Free quotes, no job too small" when they don't mean it! Anyway, the jobs I had in mind are in the $300 to $1000 range and most are still not interested. Also, I have much more admiration for a tradesman who tells me up front that he is not interested (if that is the case) rather than stuff about making out he's interested when he's not.
hatchback,
Feb 5, 8:05am
As above, I cant be bothered with small stuff normally, I will do it but its got to be really worth it, like $100 an hour worth it. Example, Im painting a small renovated bathroom, will take me 5hrs tops over two days incl travel, $50 paint = $600 easy. Some weeks you just get the silly little stuff then you get the $11000 jobs, block of flats, $450 paint and 21 working days (6hr working days sometimes). Comes and goes.
piquant,
Feb 5, 8:48am
Well, rpvr - tell them that if they are not interested - to tell you up front. Don't waste their time as well as yours. But I have to say that I find your posting somewhat negative - you"re turning them away without giving them a chance, it seems to me! Ring a few of them that offer free quotes and no job too small - especially those who have good feedback - you might just be surprised. Depending upon your location - it you are miles out in the wop wops and it's a $300 job tops - I can understand it - so what's stopping you doing two or three of the cheaper jobs at the same time! And hatchback - it seems like you just expect money for jam. $100 an hour! what are you - a doctor or something.! No, I thought not.
tamsim,
Feb 5, 8:55am
quoting is part of the gig.if they don't want to quote they should retrain and do something else IMO.
Quoting serves two purposes, both of which are needed. 1st, it tells the person how much things are likely to cost 2nd, it makes the person aware of the extent of the job.how many laymen understand the details of what is involved in a electrical, plumbing, building job etc.
rpvr,
Feb 5, 9:11am
I would be hesitant to get two or three cheaper jobs done at the same timeby someone whose work I am unfamiliar with. Once they show they do a good job and are reliable, then fine. I have a guy who does tree cutting jobs that I don't ask for a quote any more because I know the kind of price he charges and he just gets on with it.
lythande1,
Feb 5, 6:39pm
And how did you describe this to these tradesmen! One thing gets my husbands back up is people who ring and start saying what a small job it is, only take 5 minutes, really easy to do, etc. Usually it turns out to be more involved than they think and they just want to pay next to nothing.
rpvr,
Feb 5, 7:18pm
I give as good a description as I can, bearing in mind that I have done quite a bit of DIY in my time and could do these jobs myself, but at the stage that I would prefer to pay someone to do them. Strangely enough, I am not happy with one quote I got because it is too low, nothing allowed for replacing the wooden sides of stairs which are starting to rot at the bottom. Do I trust the judgment of a qualified tradesman who would leave something I think needs replacing and will cause further bother if left, or do I have to point out the details to a so-called professional!
rpvr,
Feb 5, 7:27pm
I must say I don't really get this bit - how can I be turning people away when they are reluctant to come in the first place! Also I think if someone looks at a job, say they will give a quote and then don't, it is a waste of time pursuing them, they obviously don't want the job.
rpvr,
Feb 5, 7:35pm
Perfectly happy to pay this rate for good work, provided it's for time worked and not talking on their mobile phone about other jobs.
piquant,
Feb 5, 8:04pm
It was in the way you wrote the post, rpvr, just the feeling I got that maybe you were feeling that you could do the job better yourself! If you are a capable DIYer, then there is often a tendency to question and check that the other person is doing the job to your satisfaction. Maybe this is portrayed in your conversations with potential tradies! Well, OK, try this - do you have neighbours/friends in your area that have jobs done for them! How about asking them for their recommendations or suggestions! There is nothing better than personal recommendation when you are a small business owner - especially if the potential client can view your workmanship.
dee238,
Feb 5, 8:05pm
Totally agree with everything you have raised here.I am going through the same thing.People not turning up, quotes not arriving, even finding out they have lied to me, blah, blah.At the end of the day, all I want is someone who is honest and will do the job right.I do not mind paying for this at all.Also, like you, I have a reliable tree person.I also have a awesome car maintenance person - huge bonus.
petal_91,
Feb 5, 8:19pm
Have you tried a Hire-A-Hubby franchisee!
melindaroger,
Feb 5, 8:38pm
Try this website:http://builderscrack.co.nz/its free to use, you post job details,can upload photos too,then tradespeople will post their details and estimates,you choose the one you like, or get several out to do a full quote.Have used this service to get a deck fixed before, my sister has used it to get her bathroom re-done.Can check reviews from other people, too.
tigra,
Feb 5, 8:47pm
If the job is small, say under $500, get them to give you an estimate - admittedly its not completely bindingbut it can save on the paperwork. Just ask for the estimate in writing with a guarantee it wont go more than 10% higher without discussing it with you. Emphasise the discussion part. I can see that doing written quotes can be time consuming though I really doubt that the 15 hours quoted to reccee 2 jobs and quote (# 19) is realistic.
From my own experience over several years of getting work done most tradesmen only spend 30-45mins looking at the job. And if you are experienced you should be able to see the pitfalls and build the costs into the quote.
tigra,
Feb 5, 8:49pm
Just as matter of interest am trying to get a job worth about $5000 to $6000 done and 4 people have looked at the job and not one has come back to quote.
rpvr,
Feb 5, 9:46pm
Yes, tried once about 3 years ago, had been given a number of concrete paving blocks and wanted them laid as a stepping-stone type garden path with a sand/cement mix under each. The Hire-A-Hubby guy looked at what was required, gave every impression of being interested, said would get back with a quote within a day or two, never heard from him again. Eventually I bought the sand and cement and my tree cutting guy did the job for $200.
jezabeel,
Feb 5, 9:48pm
Tradesmen have built in raders that alert them to possible troublesome clients step back and look at yourself and ask why am i scaring off FOUR different people!
rpvr,
Feb 5, 9:50pm
Tried them recently, two responses, both fronted, one gave quote a week later (this is the one I mentioned above, doesn't cover all I wanted done), the other hasn't been heard of since (3 weeks ago). And he approached me through the website!
stevo2,
Feb 5, 9:53pm
As a builder, I normally dont quote anything under about $1k. Its not cost effective to take plumbers, electricians, gibstoppers painters etc to the job to give their quotes, get prices for my materials from Carters, organise the quote and deliver it and then be told they will let you know after they have received their other 4 quotes. Theres half a day gone and at least 4 out of the 5 quoters have wasted half a day plus the time that their subbies have put in.! I say upfront that it looks like about xxx amount of hours, my hourly rate is $xx and you can have the materials at my cost. You can use my subbies or supply your own. I get as much work as I want this way, usually through referrals or repeat work from customers. I do agree that they should let you know upfront if they dont want to quote it.
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