dodgy roofer - what can i do

[Osinjak]

roofer said:

It advises him to wake up and smell the coffee, is that lovely enough for you dear?

That's very thoughtful of you, nothing quite like kicking a man when he's down. Given your desire to call me dear it's obvious you like the company of chaps so why don't you take round some Jo Malone candles and a bottle of rosé for him as well? Perhaps you could coo into his ear and massage soothing unguents into his knotty shoulders with your manly calloused hands?

Edited by Osinjak on Friday 3rd April 08:00

[roofer]

Osinjak said:

That's very thoughtful of you, nothing quite like kicking a man when he's down. Given your desire to call me dear it's obvious you like the company of chaps so why don't you take round some Jo Malone candles and a bottle of rosé for him as well? Perhaps you could coo into his ear and massage soothing unguents into his knotty shoulders with your manly calloused hands?

Edited by Osinjak on Friday 3rd April 08:00

[bobtail4x4]

the bodgers exist because people will take the lowest quote, instead of only employing tradesmen who come reccomended.

[supersingle]

bobtail4x4 said:

the bodgers exist because people will take the lowest quote, instead of only employing tradesmen who come reccomended.

IME the bodgers seem to get away with the steepest prices. Customers sometimes think 'he must be good as he's so expensive'

[NiceCupOfTea]

How is one supposed to know who is a bodger? Get lots of quotes, don't go for the cheapest, speak to past clients...

Just because the o/p isn't an expert on roofs I don't see that he's done anything wrong. Up to a few weeks ago I am sure he would have given a good review - how do you know if it's been done well?

[roofer]

Standard checks

Does the man have a fixed premises ?

Is he VAT registered?

Can he give any references of previous work?

What accreditations does he have ?

Does he have magnetic signs on his van ?

10 minutes work that surely someone with half a brain would do before parting with coin ? Especially given the reputation of the domestic roofing industry ?

[RYH64E]

NiceCupOfTea said:

How is one supposed to know who is a bodger? Get lots of quotes, don't go for the cheapest, speak to past clients...

Just because the o/p isn't an expert on roofs I don't see that he's done anything wrong. Up to a few weeks ago I am sure he would have given a good review - how do you know if it's been done well?

Finding good tradesmen is far from easy, and finding one who will turn up on time and do a full days work is even harder. Friends of mine own a building firm and they're always complaining about their staff, most of them are self employed contractors and managing them is like herding cats, even those who are capable of doing a good job will cut corners if they think they can away with it, and they all slope off to price up another job in your time when you're not watching.

[supersingle]

RYH64E said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

How is one supposed to know who is a bodger? Get lots of quotes, don't go for the cheapest, speak to past clients...

Just because the o/p isn't an expert on roofs I don't see that he's done anything wrong. Up to a few weeks ago I am sure he would have given a good review - how do you know if it's been done well?

Finding good tradesmen is far from easy, and finding one who will turn up on time and do a full days work is even harder. Friends of mine own a building firm and they're always complaining about their staff, most of them are self employed contractors and managing them is like herding cats, even those who are capable of doing a good job will cut corners if they think they can away with it, and they all slope off to price up another job in your time when you're not watching.

You're paying a tradesman to do a job up to an agreed standard. You're not paying them for their time.

[RYH64E]

supersingle said:

You're paying a tradesman to do a job up to an agreed standard. You're not paying them for their time.

Not when they're on day work you're not, most of them charge by the day or if you want a fixed price they guess how many days they think it will take them then add half again.

[supersingle]

RYH64E said:

supersingle said:

You're paying a tradesman to do a job up to an agreed standard. You're not paying them for their time.

Not when they're on day work you're not, most of them charge by the day or if you want a fixed price they guess how many days they think it will take them then add half again.

Your friend probably struggles to get good tradesmen because good ones don't like contracting. They'd rather find their own customers and take out the middleman, leaving a bigger slice for themselves and better value for the customer.

Customers are interested in the quality of the finished product. The faster the job gets done, the better as long as it's up to scratch.

[longshot]

roofer said:

Standard checks

Does the man have a fixed premises ?

Is he VAT registered?

Can he give any references of previous work?

What accreditations does he have ?

Does he have magnetic signs on his van ?

10 minutes work that surely someone with half a brain would do before parting with coin ? Especially given the reputation of the domestic roofing industry ?

You're enjoying this a bit too much......

Edited by longshot on Friday 3rd April 22:52

[Osinjak]

longshot said:

roofer said:

Standard checks

Does the man have a fixed premises ?

Is he VAT registered?

Can he give any references of previous work?

What accreditations does he have ?

Does he have magnetic signs on his van ?

10 minutes work that surely someone with half a brain would do before parting with coin ? Especially given the reputation of the domestic roofing industry ?

You're enjoying this a bit too much......

Edited by longshot on Friday 3rd April 22:52

He was probably tumescent as he typed that.

[phumy]

roofer said:

Coins the phrase " one born every minute"

That's exactly the quote that would be expected from the type of person who ripped off the OP, could have even been you...

[roofer]

The courage of the Internet , quality.

[Osinjak]

roofer said:

The courage of the Internet , quality.

Strong in this one irony is.

[Mr2Mike]

roofer said:

Does he have magnetic signs on his van ?

What on earth has that got to do with with anything?

[roofer]

Mr2Mike said:

What on earth has that got to do with with anything?

Does that really need explaining ?

[longshot]

I must say roofer, that if your intention in this thread was to make yourself sound like a dick, you've done an excellent job.
I assume that in real life you are not like this.

[paulwirral]

Mr2Mike said:

roofer said:

Does he have magnetic signs on his van ?

What on earth has that got to do with with anything?

Easily taken off when your not being a roofer , helpful when Tarmacing drives and collecting scrap , I'm guessing roofer and me went to a different type of school than the others posting here ?

[supersingle]

paulwirral said:

Mr2Mike said:

roofer said:

Does he have magnetic signs on his van ?

What on earth has that got to do with with anything?

Easily taken off when your not being a roofer , helpful when Tarmacing drives and collecting scrap , I'm guessing roofer and me went to a different type of school than the others posting here ?

Oi! I've got magnetic signs!

But then I am a bodger/cowboy.