Plumbers - just WTF is wrong with them?
Discussion
GG89 said:
roofer said:
judas said:
Bloody hell! Step away for a bit and everyone's got their handbags out! 
Good fun though.
A tradesman will always defend another tradesmen, we have the scars/bad backs/fekked joints etc etc. Except scaffolders, b
ds !ds you'll ever employ and they are basically one genetic step away from flinging st at each other but over the years we've been building stuff they are the one trade that won't let you down. They will be there when they agree to be, have their job done as agreed, won't disappear half way through, don't sit around gossiping like girls and don't come back asking for more money. I wonder if this stems from what someone mentioned earlier that scaffolders tend to have managers who are the business side whereas other trades the tradesman can often be the manager and no one has ever taught them how to be professionally competent at basic business?
Many years ago my father decided to build a small granny house at the bottom of the grounds. The job required a site foreman or somesuch role so as he was an engineer by original trade he decided he would take on that role after interview a few people and not finding anyone suitable. I believe he had to sit a couple of courses and maybe do some first aid stuff but he ended up running the project. It was completed in half the quoted time because the workers were paid bonuses for timely completion but lost money or were removed from site for tardiness or lack of ability. They hated the contract. Hated have someone checking their work. Especially hated having someone highlight a better way to do something. Hated having someone ask them why they were late, leaving early or sitting down doing nothing. But they earned the same money they would have done but in half the time.
There was one chap, who was in his early 20s who didn't hate it. He was always discussing with my father different ways to do things and always interested in all the various trades. About 5 or so years after that he approached my father for a loan to help start up his own building firm. He's now a successful local businessman who seems well respected and who sends the most rediculous bouquet of flowers to my mother every Christmas.
From what I have seen and experienced I tend to agree that many potentially decent tradesmen are crap because they just don't have the ability to manage anything competently. Which maybe why they ended up in trade in the first instance as no one ever taught them and few people have it naturally.
037 said:
The more I think about this the more it annoys me.
Question after question is posted on this section of Pistonheads and all us tradesmen promptly reply with the advise requested.
I think people do that partly (or even mainly) to demonstrate their skills/knowledge rather than any feeling of goodwill.Question after question is posted on this section of Pistonheads and all us tradesmen promptly reply with the advise requested.
I've got a lot of friends who are tradesmen and (I think it was) the second poster has it nailed.
IME a builder or similar will never turn a job down; they'll say they can do it even if they cannot possibly fit it in. The stuff about going on the lash is bang right - even more so if they are just some cash in hand type doing tiling or similar; if you pay them for say materials in the middle of the job then you can say goodbye to seeing them again until the money runs out as they'll simply be in the pub.
Another one to watch is the weather - if the weather suddenly turns nice and they have an interest in, say, golf then again just forget it. They will fk off playing golf.
They really are, for the most part, useless.
IME a builder or similar will never turn a job down; they'll say they can do it even if they cannot possibly fit it in. The stuff about going on the lash is bang right - even more so if they are just some cash in hand type doing tiling or similar; if you pay them for say materials in the middle of the job then you can say goodbye to seeing them again until the money runs out as they'll simply be in the pub.
Another one to watch is the weather - if the weather suddenly turns nice and they have an interest in, say, golf then again just forget it. They will f
k off playing golf.They really are, for the most part, useless.
Countdown said:
037 said:
The more I think about this the more it annoys me.
Question after question is posted on this section of Pistonheads and all us tradesmen promptly reply with the advise requested.
I think people do that partly (or even mainly) to demonstrate their skills/knowledge rather than any feeling of goodwill.Question after question is posted on this section of Pistonheads and all us tradesmen promptly reply with the advise requested.
FFS!!!!!
037 said:
The more I think about this the more it annoys me.
Question after question is posted on this section of Pistonheads and all us tradesmen promptly reply with the advise requested.
That's why they never turn up on time - they're on PH! Question after question is posted on this section of Pistonheads and all us tradesmen promptly reply with the advise requested.
By chance I have a CH bloke at this moment - turned up bang on time and got stuck straight in. Hasn't even touched his tea yet.
Dog Star said:
I've got a lot of friends who are tradesmen and (I think it was) the second poster has it nailed.
IME a builder or similar will never turn a job down; they'll say they can do it even if they cannot possibly fit it in. The stuff about going on the lash is bang right - even more so if they are just some cash in hand type doing tiling or similar; if you pay them for say materials in the middle of the job then you can say goodbye to seeing them again until the money runs out as they'll simply be in the pub.
Another one to watch is the weather - if the weather suddenly turns nice and they have an interest in, say, golf then again just forget it. They will fk off playing golf.
They really are, for the most part, useless.
Apart from the post being absolute rubbish you a slagging off all your tradesmen friends . Some friend you are.IME a builder or similar will never turn a job down; they'll say they can do it even if they cannot possibly fit it in. The stuff about going on the lash is bang right - even more so if they are just some cash in hand type doing tiling or similar; if you pay them for say materials in the middle of the job then you can say goodbye to seeing them again until the money runs out as they'll simply be in the pub.
Another one to watch is the weather - if the weather suddenly turns nice and they have an interest in, say, golf then again just forget it. They will f
k off playing golf.They really are, for the most part, useless.
Countdown said:
037 said:
The more I think about this the more it annoys me.
Question after question is posted on this section of Pistonheads and all us tradesmen promptly reply with the advise requested.
I think people do that partly (or even mainly) to demonstrate their skills/knowledge rather than any feeling of goodwill.Question after question is posted on this section of Pistonheads and all us tradesmen promptly reply with the advise requested.
I offer advice, because it's a nice thing to do. I've received advice from others on PH, so I contribute by offering it to others where I can.
judas said:
Quick update: Plumber number three turned up on time and is cracking on with the job. Electrician due at 11. Let's hope we don't have to go through the same pantomime here... 
In case anyone is even still vaguely interested plumber number 3 did a great job for the money he quoted and on time and electrician turned up when he said and did a good job too.Only fair to report a good job when we have been railing against bad ones!
Rickyy said:
Of course, I live to impress strangers on a car forum with my knowledge of domestic plumbing.
I offer advice, because it's a nice thing to do. I've received advice from others on PH, so I contribute by offering it to others where I can.
And most informative i find them too. Along with many others. The trades on here know who knows their onions. They will also call out the bull squad.I offer advice, because it's a nice thing to do. I've received advice from others on PH, so I contribute by offering it to others where I can.
I like to think it offers, in some cases, a saving of a bob or two. I, along with many seek no reward, but it is nice when someone says thanks, because it made the typing worthwhile.
I have been in my specific industry for over 30 years, in that industry, i am widely regarded, which from your peers, is a nice thing, even if it took 30 years.
To help someone out, expecting nothing, is just the proper thing to do.And you will find, that proper tradesmen, are proper people.
Now there are some gifted people on this sub forum, i could name them with ease, but its not required, because they stand out.
Now me, i know i can be an abrasive
, but if i say something should be so on a roof, that is how it should be. There's correct, and ste.There's some very clever people here. Just trying to help a fella out. No glory required, but nice to see a man, or woman, saving a tanner.
Rickyy said:
Of course, I live to impress strangers on a car forum with my knowledge of domestic plumbing.
I offer advice, because it's a nice thing to do. I've received advice from others on PH, so I contribute by offering it to others where I can.
Fair enough. . There are a quite a few people on here who post interesting/useful stuff like yourself so apologies if I've offended anybody.I offer advice, because it's a nice thing to do. I've received advice from others on PH, so I contribute by offering it to others where I can.
Neil - YVM said:
037 said:
Countdown said:
I think people do that partly (or even mainly) to demonstrate their skills/knowledge rather than any feeling of goodwill.
Cock of the day goes to you sir. Countdown said:
Rickyy said:
Of course, I live to impress strangers on a car forum with my knowledge of domestic plumbing.
I offer advice, because it's a nice thing to do. I've received advice from others on PH, so I contribute by offering it to others where I can.
Fair enough. . There are a quite a few people on here who post interesting/useful stuff like yourself so apologies if I've offended anybody.I offer advice, because it's a nice thing to do. I've received advice from others on PH, so I contribute by offering it to others where I can.
Neil - YVM said:
037 said:
Countdown said:
I think people do that partly (or even mainly) to demonstrate their skills/knowledge rather than any feeling of goodwill.
Cock of the day goes to you sir. 
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