impossible to get a reliable competent plumber..? What to do..?

raspberrypi67

I have been months trying to get a reliable plumber and no Joy. I just want to get a new hot water tank that is solar ready etc , the Joule type, but so far I have been through 3 plumbers , said they would do it …bla bla, they either loose interest, never get back, dont answer emails and/or just dont turn up when they say they would. All appear to be good plumbers but its like I am doing then a favor…ffs…I also went through Tradsmen.ie, . To give you an idea of what I have had to deal with , I contacted the first, he was supposed to be good. Gave him 3 months notice. Then told me to contact him nearer the time. I waited all that time to be let down. He never answered any calls. The second plumber, recommended by Tradesmen actually came to me to look at it. Short story , gave me a a quote for the wrong tank not to mention it was so vague in detail I left it. I then started getting all these calls from a solar installer. I had mentioned Solar to him while he was in my house. The third plumber was actually working not far from where I live. 2 promises of coming over and then excuses etc…Then never turned up and not even the courtesy to just tell me he was busy. I actually had to ring him. Supposed to turn up this afternoon, no sign….Whats going on… Have all the plumbers left the country, crikey what would happen if Houses DID start getting built…no one to do the plumbing…

TheSunIsShining

Number of people doing trades and apprenticeships collapsed during the downturn 15 years ago. Think that's a significant part of the issues we all have today in getting someone to do a job for you....

Wearb

For the most part I'd advise to forget about any communication except phone calls.

Rubberchikken

Get a personal recommendation if you can. And when you find one hold on to him🙂

I agree it's brutal trying to find decent tradesmen who will show up.and so the work. The focus needs to be put on getting more youngsters into apprenticeship trades.

blackvalley

Getting more young people into apprenticeship is a big ask when not going to college is seen as a failure . That unfortunately is the narrative nowadays. Notwithstanding the fact that earning potential of someone qualifying with a trade is way above the potential of someone qualifying with an arts degree.
Perhaps it would be an idea to encourage apprenticeship in the trades as a stepping stone to a degree later in life when you’ve had your fill of site work. This gives you great practical and theoretical experience.
Someone I know very well served their time as a carpenter and worked in the trade . Eventually they went back to college and got a related degree. The comment that resonated most with me was when they said “ on a cold winter’s morning it’s easier to go into the office with a laptop than go up on the roof with a hammer “

raspberrypi67

Thanks for the comments. It's a great shame that young people are made felt that way about trades I have to say. I was always sorry I never did carpentry. I do it as a hobby building furniture. I used to watch my dad , I remembered how to do it. Anyway, it sounds right about COVID etc .. I'll have to just work on it…

coylemj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123745919#Comment_123745919

Personal recommendation is the only way to go. Or, pick a local company with a bricks and mortar address and a landline where the phone will be answered by someone who can give you a definite appointment there and then, however far into the future. And you will have some comeback if things go pear shaped.

As far as I'm concerned, tradesmen who sign up to third party websites do so because they're not getting enough business via personal recommendations i.e. word of mouth. It's why the cowboy 'roofers' go around cold calling - best avoided.

raspberrypi67

Yeah, I got a personal recommendation and the guy seems sound…So see what happens. He knew what he was about… This is my 4th plumber! i am glad i went through the minefield!!!

Everlong1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746538#Comment_123746538

PM'ed you with a recommendation.