Tradesmen : Do you trust them?

Tigger wrote: »

you got all the irish builders in at once or one at a time

If there weren't so many cowboys around, the chances of getting bad ones in would be much lower.

You cant trust tradesmen.
My parents house has had quite a few jobs on it over the years and whilst some of the tradesmen did good jobs, sadly the majority didnt. You just don't know what the quality of work will be like and all too often when you realise it's a bad job it's too late ....

Besides you can't trust people you dont know in your house. My girlfriend's Aunt had €50 euro taken from her last year. Same thing, only realised when too late.

But the biggest one for me was my brother's neighbour. Someone tried to break into her house twice in a short period of time. Luckily she was home both times and they ran off once the lights went on. But me, my brother and her were chatting after it happened and we all said it was a bit of a 'coincidence' - that being she had just spent thousands through various tradesmen with work on her home previous to the attempted break-in.
I know you could say that's just a local scumbag eyeing things up. But she said she had loads of tradesmen in doing minor jobs. Getting a first hand look and what she had.

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

You cant trust tradesmen.
My parents house has had quite a few jobs on it over the years and whilst some of the tradesmen did good jobs, sadly the majority didnt. You just don't know what the quality of work will be like and all too often when you realise it's a bad job it's too late ....

Besides you can't trust people you dont know in your house. My girlfriend's Aunt had €50 euro taken from her last year. Same thing, only realised when too late.

But the biggest one for me was my brother's neighbour. Someone tried to break into her house twice in a short period of time. Luckily she was home both times and they ran off once the lights went on. But me, my brother and her were chatting after it happened and we all said it was a bit of a 'coincidence' - that being she had just spent thousands through various tradesmen with work on her home previous to the attempted break-in.
I know you could say that's just a local scumbag eyeing things up. But she said she had loads of tradesmen in doing minor jobs. Getting a first hand look and what she had.

Gardai called ?

mattjack wrote: »

Gardai called ?

The gardai were called but the scumbag was already down the road when he realised people were home. I can't remember if it was the first attempt or the second but one was at 10.45pm. She heard someone trying to break in through the front door, she put the lights on and they ran away.

It's terrible like. She just lives with her daughter in the house. So I imagine it was very frightening for her.

Snotaul Goodman wrote: »

Was there any electrical or plumbing work done? As a former Electrician, I've experienced many attempted and successful robberys because of the materials we used. Copper, whether it be a small roll of flex to a drum of 240 sq cable (the big ones) attracts certain individuals like a moth to a flame if they know its available. Also, the chance of tools left unattended is hugely appealing to them.

This was two years ago so it's hard to remember the exact list she told me. But I do remember a new kitchen and new flooring being amongst the builds. She came into money and was just doing her house up. She had dozens of different trades men in and out of her house at that time.

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

The gardai were called but the scumbag was already down the road when he realised people were home. I can't remember if it was the first attempt or the second but one was at 10.45pm. She heard someone trying to break in through the front door, she put the lights on and they ran away.

It's terrible like. She just lives with her daughter in the house. So I imagine it was very frightening for her.



This was two years ago so it's hard to remember the exact list she told me. But I do remember a new kitchen and new flooring being amongst the builds. She came into money and was just doing her house up. She had dozens of different trades men in and out of her house at that
time.

Id say it was your brother trying to break into your neighbours house , especially when hear that she came into a few bob , what about the girlfriends Aunt , hardly a tradesman robbed that 50 euros
,everyone knows tradesmen are on 300euros an hour.

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

You've got issues and I reckon the kinda of issues will cost more than 300euro an hour to fix too

Oh dont worry bout me.I dont live in dreamland.

I have come across lots of tradesmen down the years in all aspects of construction and privately the usual suspects, mechanics etc.etc. To me its this simple. The vast majority of them never studied theory "a day in their lives" and have learned from on-site experience. The interest in the science behind what they do is non existent. If they come across a new problem that they have seen or fixed before then they are somewhat confident and can do a good jib but if not then they are more often than not chancing their arm.

The best of them are Electricians who on the whole seem to know what they are about.

I am completely dismayed with Mechanics who are among the worst area of tradesmen. Me : Did you fix the drivers light ? Mech: I did ! Did you check the other lights ? No you didn't say anything about them......... apply this to most other situations unless they are checking stuff and then they will find plenty wrong.

When it comes to pricing they often take the mick alltogether. Me: Seems like a wheel bearing is gone ? Mech takes a look. How much for a bearing. Mech goes thats about €90 for a spurious one. So he charges 90 + labour.

Quick visit to micks garage online and turns out the bearing is €55 so has the mech ripped me off ? Yes for sure.
Apply these scenarios across the line.


They all work on the basis that Joe Public doesn't know what a flux capacitor is and hasn't a clue how much it costs or even where to get it, so they fleece you accordingly.

Until an amazon.com for "Trades materials" appears online ( well done micksgarage.ie for demystifying car parts prices ) we are at the mercy of "tradesmen".

This has turned a bit rantish but until they all need to go to college and study the science of the trade for 2-3 years , work experience then as an apprentiship and then start "Trading" we will continue to get sub par service and quality.

Next time you chat with your builder ask him to explain thermal bridging and when you chat with your plumber ask him about energy efficiency etc.etc.............