Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Chatting on the Plot => Topic started by: mrs bouquet on October 24, 2019, 10:46

Title: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: mrs bouquet on October 24, 2019, 10:46
Since I have been on my own, my house has been falling to bits (along with me !).    The long debacle with the electricians in the summer left my loft with all the insulation just thrown back in along with the boarding.

Today, my lovely roofer is here.   His apprentice is on the front roof scraping off the moss, whilst Andy is in the loft trying to rebuild the flooring and insultation !!      He said your bathroom tiles feel sticky and spongy.
I replied, that the tiles around the toilet are coming up.  Investigation has found the loo is leaking,  the floor is like blotting paper.    Fortunately Andy knows a good plumber, so he will have to re-do the loo, and refix my leaking kitchen tap.  The carpets upstairs were not replaced properly by the electricians, so I shall need a new bathroom floor and the carpets refitted, at the very least.  I was going out this pm, but have to stay in to tell them were to put things back in the loft.

It all reminds me of a very old song, which is the title of this post.      I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Probably, just grin and bear it.  :D :D  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on October 24, 2019, 11:45
Stories like this really make me cross! I have a few elderly neighbours and the number of times I've had to clear up snagging for them left by lazy contractors is more than I have fingers and toes to count! Thankfully these days I've got a pretty good contact list of decent local tradesmen and make sure that the neighbours only use good guys who don't cut corners.
Good to see you've at least got a roofer who is willing to help you get everything in order Mrs B.
Title: Re: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: Goosegirl on October 24, 2019, 14:47
I subscribe to Which magazine, and as well as getting info on products I can also access their local trusted traders web site to see who have been recommended by people. I find it more reassuring than just picking a number out of the directory and have also given feedback from traders I have used. I hope all goes well for you now before winter.
Title: Re: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: WeavingGryphon on October 26, 2019, 11:41
I know someone who told me their village made up an approved tradesman list last winter that they have shared via the different pensioners groups. It was necessitated after one tradesman refused to leave someone's house until he got a vastly overpriced contract. They go to two friend's WI so I know for a fact that the tradesman was shouting at the pensioner victim after they said they won't take his quote as someone else was cheaper. What all happened wasn't told to the general public by victim's request other than that (annoyingly as I don't even know who to avoid). I do know that their local battleaxe went on the warpath got the contract put to someone cheaper and reliable (thankfully).
Title: Re: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: mrs bouquet on October 26, 2019, 16:22
It is scary, they can be very intimidating.    I have been seen off and had a few who have tried to see me off.
I always say to the ladies at the groups I belong to "let me know if you need a good tradesman"  but sometimes even that can be a worry in case they are used and do not do a job to my friends liking.  :unsure:  Mrs B
Title: Re: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: RubyRed on October 27, 2019, 09:15
  If you get in touch with your local age concern they should have an approved list of tried and more important trusted tradesmen. Very useful
Title: Re: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: grinling on October 27, 2019, 17:21
If you go into a builders merchant, they will recommend someone as well
Title: Re: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: Growster... on October 28, 2019, 18:19
If you like and trust your roofer, Mrs B, why not tell him what your problem is?

They all know each other, and can be a source of help when you clearly could use some.

As they're usually mates, they'll not try to cheat you, as let's face it, they all need the work, even if it's just a dripping tap (which we have and I'll do the same advice and chat with a chum)!

PM me if you need any help here.
Title: Re: It all makes work for the working man to do !!!!
Post by: wighty on October 28, 2019, 19:32
We own a DIY shop and will not recommend  workmen to do whatever you require ,as a 'bad job'  would reflect on our business.  You wouldn't remember the workman but would remember that we had recommended him/her.  We  will offer two or three  people that we know and then it's your choice.