ᐅ Unreliable contractors – is this becoming common in the industry?
Created on: 22 Aug 2017 13:31
M
Mizit
Sorry, I just need to vent a little, but if anyone has good advice or can tell me that this is not our fault and everything is still within normal limits, I would appreciate it.
We bought a house, and as part of the renovations, we had to hire several craftsmen. Three-quarters of those jobs are still not assigned. Not because we want to drag it out, nor because we don’t want to pay, and we’re not desperately looking for the cheapest option – we just have the impression that it’s currently very difficult to find skilled and especially reliable craftsmen!??!
The first job actually went pretty well. It was about roof windows. Someone came who had been recommended to us beforehand, they were on time, showed up on time for the second appointment as well, provided competent advice, and we had an offer within 4 working days. It wasn’t the cheapest, but it doesn’t have to be, and just like that, it was settled.
Then it started. It involved a wooden railing. Not a huge deal, really. We contacted two specialist companies – one didn’t respond at all, and the other took 4 weeks before anyone came out. If we had other options, that company would have been out of the running for us. The appointment itself was… let’s say, it didn’t seem very interesting to the person on site. As a reference, the order was for about 2,000 euros. The offer then took another 4 weeks, only arriving after three follow-ups, and was substantially more expensive than the rough estimate we had initially. We are total laypersons, but several people with a bit more knowledge of wood independently told us that it was way too expensive. When we asked about details like straight versus twisted spindles, which we never requested, we didn’t get any reply.
For the same job, another craftsman came through a platform called MyHammer. At least he showed up on time, was reasonably friendly and professional, gave a first figure – and then sent an offer three days later that was almost double. When we asked, he said he hadn’t accounted for certain things on site, that some additional steps were necessary, etc. Then he offered nonsense like waiving the warranty to lower the price. Of course, we didn’t take that – what nonsense.
We sent a written inquiry to another company and got no response; we called them but still no callback.
Window replacement on the ground floor and security upgrade – a never-ending topic. We probably had the wrong price expectations at first. One craftsman just didn’t show up for the appointment and never contacted us again. Another came, seemed interested; we were initially talking about around 5,000 euros. He said he’d send an offer. Nothing since then. We asked several times, he kept postponing, saying tomorrow, next week, a component was missing, and eventually nothing came at all. That’s so unprofessional that we don’t want to deal with that company anymore.
Three weeks ago, a craftsman from a specialist company that does a lot of these security upgrades came by. Great advice. It concerns several jobs that they could handle all in one package. We’re looking at around 12,000 euros. That’s a lot of money, some of which goes through KfW funding, but above all, it’s important to us that it’s done properly and on time. The guy made a really good impression. But to this day, I still don’t have an offer. I have already asked three times, especially because we need to submit something to KfW for the roof windows as well, and it needs to be approved before starting the work. The roof windows are scheduled in four weeks, and we wanted to submit everything together. I told the security company this and that we need an offer now. “Yes, apologies,” last week; then Monday/yesterday, still nothing; now something is missing, so it’s not finished yet.
I’m really fed up now. Hello, we want to spend money!!! Are the companies so overloaded that orders of 12,000 euros don’t matter, that they don’t need the work? I don’t expect us to shout and have the work start the next day, no. But not even getting a concrete offer, not sticking to agreed timelines??? I don’t understand this. Is it normal? Is the construction trade just booming so much right now that this has to be accepted???
We bought a house, and as part of the renovations, we had to hire several craftsmen. Three-quarters of those jobs are still not assigned. Not because we want to drag it out, nor because we don’t want to pay, and we’re not desperately looking for the cheapest option – we just have the impression that it’s currently very difficult to find skilled and especially reliable craftsmen!??!
The first job actually went pretty well. It was about roof windows. Someone came who had been recommended to us beforehand, they were on time, showed up on time for the second appointment as well, provided competent advice, and we had an offer within 4 working days. It wasn’t the cheapest, but it doesn’t have to be, and just like that, it was settled.
Then it started. It involved a wooden railing. Not a huge deal, really. We contacted two specialist companies – one didn’t respond at all, and the other took 4 weeks before anyone came out. If we had other options, that company would have been out of the running for us. The appointment itself was… let’s say, it didn’t seem very interesting to the person on site. As a reference, the order was for about 2,000 euros. The offer then took another 4 weeks, only arriving after three follow-ups, and was substantially more expensive than the rough estimate we had initially. We are total laypersons, but several people with a bit more knowledge of wood independently told us that it was way too expensive. When we asked about details like straight versus twisted spindles, which we never requested, we didn’t get any reply.
For the same job, another craftsman came through a platform called MyHammer. At least he showed up on time, was reasonably friendly and professional, gave a first figure – and then sent an offer three days later that was almost double. When we asked, he said he hadn’t accounted for certain things on site, that some additional steps were necessary, etc. Then he offered nonsense like waiving the warranty to lower the price. Of course, we didn’t take that – what nonsense.
We sent a written inquiry to another company and got no response; we called them but still no callback.
Window replacement on the ground floor and security upgrade – a never-ending topic. We probably had the wrong price expectations at first. One craftsman just didn’t show up for the appointment and never contacted us again. Another came, seemed interested; we were initially talking about around 5,000 euros. He said he’d send an offer. Nothing since then. We asked several times, he kept postponing, saying tomorrow, next week, a component was missing, and eventually nothing came at all. That’s so unprofessional that we don’t want to deal with that company anymore.
Three weeks ago, a craftsman from a specialist company that does a lot of these security upgrades came by. Great advice. It concerns several jobs that they could handle all in one package. We’re looking at around 12,000 euros. That’s a lot of money, some of which goes through KfW funding, but above all, it’s important to us that it’s done properly and on time. The guy made a really good impression. But to this day, I still don’t have an offer. I have already asked three times, especially because we need to submit something to KfW for the roof windows as well, and it needs to be approved before starting the work. The roof windows are scheduled in four weeks, and we wanted to submit everything together. I told the security company this and that we need an offer now. “Yes, apologies,” last week; then Monday/yesterday, still nothing; now something is missing, so it’s not finished yet.
I’m really fed up now. Hello, we want to spend money!!! Are the companies so overloaded that orders of 12,000 euros don’t matter, that they don’t need the work? I don’t expect us to shout and have the work start the next day, no. But not even getting a concrete offer, not sticking to agreed timelines??? I don’t understand this. Is it normal? Is the construction trade just booming so much right now that this has to be accepted???
I know many craftsmen, and my father was one too. The problem is that a flood of orders meets a shortage of skilled workers and hardly any apprentices. Everyone is looking. Every journeyman in the trades could immediately move elsewhere. Often they’re just too slow to act and too set in their ways. Poaching is common. Last May, three landscape gardeners were hired, and now they’re gone... another company offered a switching bonus... that happened to an acquaintance.
This will only get worse. Unless the master craftsman requirement is removed. Then many small businesses could emerge that are allowed to officially offer, for example, painting, paving, or similar work without tricks. That would bring relief to the standard business. The master craftsman would then receive truly expert work. For a master painter, rolling a white wall is like pearls before swine. That’s not their expertise. More their skill is in creatively designing a room with accents or special paint effects. Also in varnishing a wooden staircase. But that also takes time. And right now, they don’t have that time. So often, really nice jobs are left undone because developer X wants 600 m² (about 6,460 sq ft) of interior walls painted white, and they pay well at 15 per m² (1.40 per sq ft). Karsten
This will only get worse. Unless the master craftsman requirement is removed. Then many small businesses could emerge that are allowed to officially offer, for example, painting, paving, or similar work without tricks. That would bring relief to the standard business. The master craftsman would then receive truly expert work. For a master painter, rolling a white wall is like pearls before swine. That’s not their expertise. More their skill is in creatively designing a room with accents or special paint effects. Also in varnishing a wooden staircase. But that also takes time. And right now, they don’t have that time. So often, really nice jobs are left undone because developer X wants 600 m² (about 6,460 sq ft) of interior walls painted white, and they pay well at 15 per m² (1.40 per sq ft). Karsten
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NOUSEFORANAME25 Oct 2017 23:24I agree with you— I definitely make negative recommendations about these tradespeople whenever I can. In our housing development, everyone is first assessed to see how different tradespeople operate and which ones are better to avoid contacting at all. Also, in town and the surrounding villages, within the circle of friends, family, and acquaintances, people are made well aware of these so-called black sheep.
On the other hand, I also praise the tradespeople who did an excellent job on our construction site and were always reliable! (Thankfully, there were a few of those as well)
On the other hand, I also praise the tradespeople who did an excellent job on our construction site and were always reliable! (Thankfully, there were a few of those as well)
Farilo schrieb:
Tradespeople are just tradespeople. Generally, they are not the sharpest when it comes to business. They don’t have to be. But they will pay the price eventually.
Some tradespeople are really damaging their reputations right now. That will have lasting effects. (Unless they offer rock-bottom prices.)
I wish them all the best! But I think in 1-2 years, some of them will be out of business. And that despite the shortage of skilled workers!
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Altbau193010 Nov 2017 18:43This issue will only get worse in the future, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to encourage young people to pursue a trade profession. Poor working conditions, tough practices on construction sites, comparatively low wages, and the generally poor reputation of skilled trades and tradespeople themselves all contribute to this. Apprentices would rather train for an office or IT job, or pursue something in the medical field. Even worse is the growing trend toward taking the academic track with high school diplomas (Abitur) and university degrees.
In our medium-sized company, it is also becoming harder to find good locksmiths. A significant challenge is that neighboring Luxembourg offers considerably higher wages for the same work. Even temporary workers are rarely available, and when one does show up, the quality of their work is often poor.
We are renovating our old house, and I already regret not having spent money on an architect. Although having one doesn’t make the tradespeople arrive any faster, the architect has to deal with them and chase them down.
But it’s true: even for an electrical refurbishment costing €15,000 (about $16,000), electrical contractors don’t come running, and you almost have to beg them to accept the job.
The best option is to do everything yourself—if you have the time and physical capability, of course...
In our medium-sized company, it is also becoming harder to find good locksmiths. A significant challenge is that neighboring Luxembourg offers considerably higher wages for the same work. Even temporary workers are rarely available, and when one does show up, the quality of their work is often poor.
We are renovating our old house, and I already regret not having spent money on an architect. Although having one doesn’t make the tradespeople arrive any faster, the architect has to deal with them and chase them down.
But it’s true: even for an electrical refurbishment costing €15,000 (about $16,000), electrical contractors don’t come running, and you almost have to beg them to accept the job.
The best option is to do everything yourself—if you have the time and physical capability, of course...