having things done!!!!

dear Travelsafar, i know what you mean.
it all feels too much sometimes.
big up to you for carrying on. that is true grit.

travelsafar
Fernbergien recommended that you look at Checkatrade: please don’t. Don’t just take my word for it.

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5507384/checkatrade-is-it-reliable

I think £25 is a reasonable price to take a door off , trim a bit from the bottom and refit it. I t must have been at least an hours work and there is more to an hourly rate than just the workmans pay. the cost of a van insurance etc, tools and other commitments have to be averaged over every hour he works.

I think we often have an unrealistic idea about how much a job costs.

We are having an extension built. DH is the designer, project manager and is doing parts himself. But looking at the bills we have coming in from our good reliable builder, who we have been using for 25 years, and the other craftsmen, it is clear that many people really have no idea how much an hourly rate is taking in any workman's overheads as well as pay. Workmen are entitled to a good wage for the exercise of their skill and training. We use them to do work we cannot do.

I have just painted the whole of the outside walls of our extension to save money. With paint and materials it took the equivalent of a full working week, and I am quite a fast worker. We had a quote of just over £1,000 to have it done for us - and that did not strike us as unreasonable.

I feel for you travelsofar. I have spent an absolute fortune on the house. Like you, I'm on my own now so feel a bit vulnerable.

I have a great group of local women friends who meet once a week to knit, chat and exchange recommendations or not.
But even then one guy who mended someone else's roof, no bother, made a dog's dinner of mine and I had to pay another roofer to sort it..

Well done to you. That's quite an achievement for one day.
You now deserve a pat on the back and a glass of wine.

I always ask around re tradesmen and so far have had good fence man, odd job man etc. Also got good carpet/ flooring man that have used for years. It can in general be a worry for person on own. Check-a-trade seem ok. to find someone. Council used to put in handles etc free and give advice in general. I assume they still do. By council go straight to County Council.

You are probably just having a really bad day today, and things have got on top of you. However you have got through it, and saved on your bill/ your router will be sorted.

Did the carpet man have to take your door off to plane abit off the bottom?
Annoying that you didn’t know it would cost, but twenty five quid got it sorted.

I think you are doing really well!
Just have a good moan on here whenever you want one.

It is daunting travelsafar but you are doing really well and I’m sorry this has upset you.
Once you get good tradespeople, keep their numbers in your mobile ‘phone or written down, and they will be to hand for the future.
? for you.

And as someone else said, ask for local recommendations. I needed a plumber when OH was away so popped over the road to ask my neighbour if he knew of anyone and he did. Did the same when I needed an electrician.

I have recently arranged for a gardener, decorator and a cleaner. Because OH worked abroad so much I just got into the habit of it. First thing I always do is ask for the name of the person I’m speaking to. I also make sure I have pen and paper to hand.

travelsafar
I’m very sad that these b*&£#@#*s are upsetting you. Because that’s what they are.
When you have a tech problem and your not getting results: end the call and do it when you feel stronger.
With the carpet man you have to harden up, I’m afraid, they’re taking the proverbial.
Are you on FB ? Look on there for local small job tradesmen, or, do you have a Next Door app? Put a post on there for small jobs.

My sympathies travelsafar. When I was selling my listed grade II house after my husband died the cast iron gutter started leaking. I paid an unknown tradesman £250 to 'fix it' - but it still leaked. When he returned to look at it I asked how much his visit would cost and he said £250. I just exploded and shouted do you think I'm made of money - but it was still £70. Still leaked afterwards too but luckily I managed to sell, leak and all. I've not seen his van anywhere recently, just a cowboy.

Reliable workmen now are like hens teeth ! Hope it works out for you but don’t forget you will have a 28day cooling off period, so if it’s not the deal you thought it was you can change your mind.
I’m the one here that does everything bill wise and talking to workmen etc DH hasn’t a clue and shows no interest. Goodness knows what will happen if I can no longer do it or pop my clogs first.

I think that Age UK keep a list of tradesmen.

A quote is a firm price and if the tradesman didn't foresee a complication, he has no god-given right to ask for more money to cover his own mistake. An estimate is an informed guess, and could turn out to be more than expected.

Next time you get a price, ask whether it is a quote or an estimate, and whether it will change. Aveline's suggestion of having a friend or neighbour there is a good one - preferably someone who is ready to speak up on your behalf!

I always feel like this travelsafar, and I've been doing it for most of my life. Tradesmen and companies such as WiFi providers are laws unto themselves.

I even had one tradesman try to bill me for materials when HE didn't turn up on the day we'd booked. I couldn't do a weekday which he tried to change to. He got quite offensive.

I think there are organisations that keep lists of tradespeople who will not rip off vulnerable people. I know my mum used them a few times when she was on her own. Maybe ask at Citizens Advice Bureau or your local council. Good luck.

Well done travelsafar - !!

Yes I do.
I agree with Avelines tips.
I suppose there will be a charge for unforeseen work.
Well done from me too.

Sorry you feel like this travelsafar. If it's any consolation it sounds like you've negotiated a better deal as well as arranging for the router to be moved. I agree it's all so difficult dealing with these things over the phone.
If you're having tradesmen in the house could you arrange for a neighbour or friend to just happen to be there too? Also take notes on phone calls so you can remind the person who turns up to do the job just what they'd agreed to do.
Good luck - and we'll done! £9 off a month is £108 a year saved. What can you spend it on?