Why is it so hard to get tradespeople to quote??
Discussion
surveyor said:
Dealing with the public is a pain.
What I do is quite specialised. I aim to Property managers and Solicitors - but some public either get pointed to me to deal direct, or just find me.
I'm often on the road, so have developed my website so that i can respond quickly and easily. I don't do an on-site survey, but take the rough with the smooth.... I do need some basic info to quote - such as the type of property and where it is. Follow my form I get enough info. Put the price in my system and out the email goes.
Then there is the 'contact us' form. There is a strong hint - if you want a quote use the quote page. But no they still fill in the contact page. A typical response is how much will a Lease Plan cost? If I'm lucky they will leave contact details. But now I have to find time to send an email asking what type of property is it? Where is it? etc. Then another reply with a quote. If I'm busy on the road - it's not something I will get to until I get home or to a hotel in the evening.
It's all quite hard work.
Presuming the website is the one on your profile there's probably a couple of things you could do to improve this. What I do is quite specialised. I aim to Property managers and Solicitors - but some public either get pointed to me to deal direct, or just find me.
I'm often on the road, so have developed my website so that i can respond quickly and easily. I don't do an on-site survey, but take the rough with the smooth.... I do need some basic info to quote - such as the type of property and where it is. Follow my form I get enough info. Put the price in my system and out the email goes.
Then there is the 'contact us' form. There is a strong hint - if you want a quote use the quote page. But no they still fill in the contact page. A typical response is how much will a Lease Plan cost? If I'm lucky they will leave contact details. But now I have to find time to send an email asking what type of property is it? Where is it? etc. Then another reply with a quote. If I'm busy on the road - it's not something I will get to until I get home or to a hotel in the evening.
It's all quite hard work.
Make the details you require mandatory to fill in before the message can be sent.
If you want to encourage people to phone you it would probably be a good idea to have your contact number somewhere on the website
Estimating work on vague details is hard and error prone, there are too many unknowns, customers expect quotes to be accurate, but will not provide decent statements of work. If the work/cost overruns, the supplier takes the risk or the customers kick up a stink, it is thankless task.
I see this all the time from the opposite side in IT, can you just give me a 'ball park figure' turns into 'you said X', even when quotes are backup by good scope limits. If this is happening to you a lot, then you are likely the problem. Your easy work/beer token comments sums ups your attitude IMHO.
I see this all the time from the opposite side in IT, can you just give me a 'ball park figure' turns into 'you said X', even when quotes are backup by good scope limits. If this is happening to you a lot, then you are likely the problem. Your easy work/beer token comments sums ups your attitude IMHO.
Edited by 4x4Tyke on Monday 7th August 09:35
The answer to the OP is simply that tradesmen of all abilities are in high demand. It is only going in one direction too with the amount of construction anticipated in the forseeable future and a disproportionate number of tradesmen are in their late forties and above. Somewhat ironically, persuading everyone to go to university to get a degree and earn a high wage has resulted in those who didn't being able to charge upwards of £30/hr, while those with geography and pyschology degrees are stacking shelves. Fair play to them, what they do is necessary, there will always be a market for it, and many of them are very good at it.
No excuse for mucking people around though. But again if you think back to school days and what the guys who are now plumbers were like then, it shouldn't be that much of a surprise!
No excuse for mucking people around though. But again if you think back to school days and what the guys who are now plumbers were like then, it shouldn't be that much of a surprise!
Douglas Quaid said:
maccas99 said:
Yes, do tell? It's either location or you already know the trades you are getting in to quote.
I've had one quote from a guy that I would like to do the work, I'd just like another 1 or two to make sure I'm getting good value for money.
Can I get another quote? Can I hell! No shows, enthusiastic folks who do show up then tell me they can't quote without a reason (the job is a reasonable size) or i just never hear from them again.
Frankly it's ridiculous and I'm probably going to accept my first and only full quote as it will never get done otherwise!
If you know you're going to use the first guy why waste other people's time asking them to quote?I've had one quote from a guy that I would like to do the work, I'd just like another 1 or two to make sure I'm getting good value for money.
Can I get another quote? Can I hell! No shows, enthusiastic folks who do show up then tell me they can't quote without a reason (the job is a reasonable size) or i just never hear from them again.
Frankly it's ridiculous and I'm probably going to accept my first and only full quote as it will never get done otherwise!
Sheepshanks said:
227bhp said:
It's a Southern thing that's for sure.
People up North are a lot more capable of working with their hands than those down South and there is more of them that can.
Don't know what's going on but over the last week or so we've had a flurry of leaflets from people (look like proper firms) touting for work, especially roofing and joinery. This is outskirts of Chester with most of the firms being in N Wales, or the Wirral.People up North are a lot more capable of working with their hands than those down South and there is more of them that can.
I'd never ring someone from that sort of leafleting though.
If you could teleport Northerners down t'South in 20 mins the problem would be solved.
A few years ago now I was searching for a small specialised machine, it was quite old and the type of thing small engine workshops or man-in-shed types have stashed away.
I took to Ebay as you do and after a while of searching I realised they were very much cheaper down South than they were in the North, so I bought down there and paid a pallet company to pick up as most were 'Local pick up only', this wasn't.
I figured at the time if I was retired perhaps I could make money by driving down in a little diesel van, bringing them all up here, tarting them up and selling on.
I came to the conclusion they just don't have the practical man-in-shed type person that is still prevalent up North hence the difference in demand.
Sheepshanks said:
I'm in Cheshire and can get them to quote but the prices are often insane. On that job is jit ust final skim, no prep or anything?
Bit tonque-in-cheek, but based on my experience they'd say it was 3 days work and want £1500. Then they'd do it in a day but want paying the same.
If it ends up taking 5 days would you pay them £2000?Bit tonque-in-cheek, but based on my experience they'd say it was 3 days work and want £1500. Then they'd do it in a day but want paying the same.
The only luck I've got was getting recommendation from the oven cleaner. My biggest pet peeve when calling local builder for quotes is their receptionist/wife asking for my ADDRESS and contact number and ended up not calling back. I will have to expand my search to next town or two for future works.
R8Steve said:
It cost me £220 for a 30 square meter room to be plastered and skimmed, the job was done in a day and the job was excellent, hardly any sanding needed at all before painting.
I can only assume the above quotes are for a full house
A good job, that needed sanding before painting? I can only assume the above quotes are for a full house
Lol, must be me
It does seem some trades are very scarce, I had no problem getting a fully certified heating engineer within 24 hours (not even an emergency job) who only charged me £108 for a full boiler service and installation of a wireless room thermostat whilst trying to get a small rendering job done with 2 months notice is an absolute nightmare. In Surrey we also seem to be starting to suffer from the exodus of Eastern Europeans already. Not sure we'll get a northern migration as I had to do in 1985 unless the economy goes seriously tits-up.
Agree with a prior poster that your earning potential vs a less than useful degree with lots of student debt should tell you a lot about wise career choices. The shame about New Labour was this idea everyone deserves a degree when most jobs absolutely don't need one.
Agree with a prior poster that your earning potential vs a less than useful degree with lots of student debt should tell you a lot about wise career choices. The shame about New Labour was this idea everyone deserves a degree when most jobs absolutely don't need one.
4x4Tyke said:
Estimating work on vague details is hard and error prone, there are too many unknowns, customers expect quotes to be accurate, but will not provide decent statements of work. If the work/cost overruns, the supplier takes the risk or the customers kick up a stink, it is thankless task.
I see this all the time from the opposite side in IT, can you just give me a 'ball park figure' turns into 'you said X', even when quotes are backup by good scope limits. If this is happening to you a lot, then you are likely the problem. Your easy work/beer token comments sums ups your attitude IMHO.
Riiiiiight. I see this all the time from the opposite side in IT, can you just give me a 'ball park figure' turns into 'you said X', even when quotes are backup by good scope limits. If this is happening to you a lot, then you are likely the problem. Your easy work/beer token comments sums ups your attitude IMHO.
Edited by 4x4Tyke on Monday 7th August 09:35
So the fact that I want them to come round so that they can look and give me a quote based on what I want from what they can see was lost on you?
And beer tokens is a figure of speech. I aren't expecting this to be done for a pack of fags and 20p. I know it is going to be in the £400 to £500 range and have budgeted accordingly. And easy work? Yes it is, compared to boarding walls and doing a full house. This is 5 walls. A day or two's work which will be a nice little earner as they will be able to rock up, plaster, drink my tea and go home again. But as you know so much about me and my attitude crack on with your thoughts.
To everyone else;
Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).
TheAngryDog said:
Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).
I'm hope you won't mind me saying this, but it's actually a good example of why busy tradesmen are reluctant to quote on relatively small private jobs. That's four blokes who have been or will be coming round to estimate for a job only one of them is going to get.Put that 25% chance against a steady flow of work from full time contractors and you have your answer right there.
singlecoil said:
TheAngryDog said:
Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).
I'm hope you won't mind me saying this, but it's actually a good example of why busy tradesmen are reluctant to quote on relatively small private jobs. That's four blokes who have been or will be coming round to estimate for a job only one of them is going to get.Put that 25% chance against a steady flow of work from full time contractors and you have your answer right there.
singlecoil said:
TheAngryDog said:
Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).
I'm hope you won't mind me saying this, but it's actually a good example of why busy tradesmen are reluctant to quote on relatively small private jobs. That's four blokes who have been or will be coming round to estimate for a job only one of them is going to get.Put that 25% chance against a steady flow of work from full time contractors and you have your answer right there.
TheAngryDog said:
singlecoil said:
TheAngryDog said:
Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).
I'm hope you won't mind me saying this, but it's actually a good example of why busy tradesmen are reluctant to quote on relatively small private jobs. That's four blokes who have been or will be coming round to estimate for a job only one of them is going to get.Put that 25% chance against a steady flow of work from full time contractors and you have your answer right there.
TheAngryDog said:
Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).
Why in the name of god are you getting 4 quotes for such a small job?? Just for a single room and sub-£500, I personally wouldn't bother. You're just wasting their time when you full well know you won't be using them. Coming out to your house, looking at the job, going back, working out and putting in writing how much material and labour etc., all take time, the. You do need to factor in fuel, wear and tear on the vehicle and similar things you can't quite see either. Nothing less than a couple of hours, if not more, wasted for 3 people in your case. Going by your standard of 4 quotes for a couple of days' work, they have to waste 1/3rd of their time just doing quotes. That's just not sustainable. It's not my line of work but I hate wasting my time so I do my utmost to not waste other people's time too.
singlecoil said:
TheAngryDog said:
singlecoil said:
TheAngryDog said:
Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).
I'm hope you won't mind me saying this, but it's actually a good example of why busy tradesmen are reluctant to quote on relatively small private jobs. That's four blokes who have been or will be coming round to estimate for a job only one of them is going to get.Put that 25% chance against a steady flow of work from full time contractors and you have your answer right there.
QuickQuack said:
TheAngryDog said:
Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).
Why in the name of god are you getting 4 quotes for such a small job?? Just for a single room and sub-£500, I personally wouldn't bother. You're just wasting their time when you full well know you won't be using them. Coming out to your house, looking at the job, going back, working out and putting in writing how much material and labour etc., all take time, the. You do need to factor in fuel, wear and tear on the vehicle and similar things you can't quite see either. Nothing less than a couple of hours, if not more, wasted for 3 people in your case. Going by your standard of 4 quotes for a couple of days' work, they have to waste 1/3rd of their time just doing quotes. That's just not sustainable. It's not my line of work but I hate wasting my time so I do my utmost to not waste other people's time too.
And for info, one guy quoted on the spot, the other two took 10 minutes to put a quote together, so wasting a 1/3 of their time is a bit of an exaggeration.
Good old PH.
TheAngryDog said:
Good old PH.
This is starting to come across like a point of view situation. From your point of view there is no reason why four different tradesmen in your area should not want to come and quote on your relatively small job, and from the point of view of some other posters here, there's plenty of reason, and the 25% chance of getting the job is one of the main ones.But I get the impression that you don't want to hear from those people, and that this is a rant thread, not a genuine enquiry such as one might gather from the thread title.
TheAngryDog said:
Typical PH response, but then I imagine as a powerfully built goatee'd director you just get your butler to handle such issues and just pay the first quote, regardless of cost?
And for info, one guy quoted on the spot, the other two took 10 minutes to put a quote together, so wasting a 1/3 of their time is a bit of an exaggeration.
Good old PH.
Not in the least. I just prefer treating other people like I would like to be treated myself. I also work on trust. If someone has been recommended to me, particularly by another tradesman, I find that their work is quite good. A good tradesman won't recommend someone who's rubbish because that would put their own reputation at risk. If I get on with whoever is here to look at a job, they came with a recommendation and it sounds reasonable, I don't bother getting another quote. Why waste time getting more quotes?And for info, one guy quoted on the spot, the other two took 10 minutes to put a quote together, so wasting a 1/3 of their time is a bit of an exaggeration.
Good old PH.
It seems to work for me and I never have any problems getting someone in to do anything, however small. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that households also have a favourable or unfavourable reputation amongst tradesmen.
singlecoil said:
TheAngryDog said:
Good old PH.
This is starting to come across like a point of view situation. From your point of view there is no reason why four different tradesmen in your area should not want to come and quote on your relatively small job, and from the point of view of some other posters here, there's plenty of reason, and the 25% chance of getting the job is one of the main ones.But I get the impression that you don't want to hear from those people, and that this is a rant thread, not a genuine enquiry such as one might gather from the thread title.
However, why should and would I settle for one quote? If I did that I'd be paying £4k to get new guttering, fascia's and soffits.
The people who have been to see me have told me they expect me to get other prices, so I don't see the issue. When I worked in a computer shop I would take calls, put together a quote for a PC and then give it to the client. That DID take time. I expected that they got prices from elsewhere. I guess I just have a different expectation level than others, in that that not everyone wants the first price they get. Do you go to a car sales showroom and buy the first car you see just so that you do not waste the salesman/womans time?
QuickQuack said:
TheAngryDog said:
Typical PH response, but then I imagine as a powerfully built goatee'd director you just get your butler to handle such issues and just pay the first quote, regardless of cost?
And for info, one guy quoted on the spot, the other two took 10 minutes to put a quote together, so wasting a 1/3 of their time is a bit of an exaggeration.
Good old PH.
Not in the least. I just prefer treating other people like I would like to be treated myself. I also work on trust. If someone has been recommended to me, particularly by another tradesman, I find that their work is quite good. A good tradesman won't recommend someone who's rubbish because that would put their own reputation at risk. If I get on with whoever is here to look at a job, they came with a recommendation and it sounds reasonable, I don't bother getting another quote. Why waste time getting more quotes?And for info, one guy quoted on the spot, the other two took 10 minutes to put a quote together, so wasting a 1/3 of their time is a bit of an exaggeration.
Good old PH.
It seems to work for me and I never have any problems getting someone in to do anything, however small. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that households also have a favourable or unfavourable reputation amongst tradesmen.
None of these people were recommended by other companies.
How do you know what is reasonable? I am not local to the area, never needed plastering doing before since being here, and the last time I did get any plastering done was back up North and large room cost me less than what I am getting quoted for now. So the only way for me to know what is and what isn't reasonable is to get some quotes. Otherwise I could end up paying £1k for a job that another company would have charged me less than half for.
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