It always annoys me when I see "safety is my goal" on tradesmans trucks
The goal is actually to do a good job with the plumbing/electric/HVAC/ whatever. Sure, do it safely, but that is not the overarching goal
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JollyRoger · 70-79, M
Much of the problem is that trades-people do not stand behind their work, i.e., they (mostly) refuse to offer a contract stating the expected costs (materiel), and completion time of the project (whether in hours or by a set date). WHEN a contract is agreed upon, then safety stands implicitly within that framework.
SW-User
@JollyRoger you bring up a good side point. It is very difficult lately to get anyone to commit to doing the work in the first place
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@JollyRoger Shouldn't the estimated cost (not "quote" - as a friend in the trade explained to me) include labour as well as materials? When I had some work done on my home the estimate included the scaffolding hire, too.
They were very accurate as well: the invoice came to about £100 under the estimate!
They were very accurate as well: the invoice came to about £100 under the estimate!
SW-User
@ArishMell that is an honest quote, I'd hire them again!
JollyRoger · 70-79, M
@SW-User Definitely! If they are honest then why wouldn't they want to give you a written quote?
JollyRoger · 70-79, M
@ArishMell Yes.... the quote (contract - if you are involved in the procurement or managing the project) should be all-inclusive. It's just GOOD business!
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@JollyRoger Good enough business by the particular firm for me to say I'll probablky use them again!
JollyRoger · 70-79, M
@ArishMell AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: If they are good, then be sure to recommend them or offer to them the possibility of you recommending them if another potential client asks for references.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@JollyRoger Yes - of course; thankyou!
Although he lives too far away for personal involvement in my home, I have a friend in the small-works building trade who no longer has a sign-written van, and does not advertise. He is now winding down to retiring, but over the years he has built a range of regular and recommended customers.
Although he lives too far away for personal involvement in my home, I have a friend in the small-works building trade who no longer has a sign-written van, and does not advertise. He is now winding down to retiring, but over the years he has built a range of regular and recommended customers.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@JollyRoger He told me of once finding evidence of a "tradesman" whose work was beyond trust, to the point of considerable danger.
He, whom I'll call David, is a registered gas-fitter and was called by a very upset householder whose new, gas-fired combination- boiler would not work properly, and he was unable to contact the installer.
Dave said he examined the boiler and soon found it did not work because it had not been installed correctly - worse, the faults made the installation dangerous and so illegal. He arranged an urgent return, second-opinion visit with a "Gas-Safe" accreditation board inspector, who confirmed Dave's findings and asked the householder if he could see the invoice. The inspector did not take long to establish the installer was not Gas-Safe registered, and had forged the Gas-Safe symbol on the invoice letter-heading!
I don't know the end result, apart from Dave correcting the faults, of course.
He, whom I'll call David, is a registered gas-fitter and was called by a very upset householder whose new, gas-fired combination- boiler would not work properly, and he was unable to contact the installer.
Dave said he examined the boiler and soon found it did not work because it had not been installed correctly - worse, the faults made the installation dangerous and so illegal. He arranged an urgent return, second-opinion visit with a "Gas-Safe" accreditation board inspector, who confirmed Dave's findings and asked the householder if he could see the invoice. The inspector did not take long to establish the installer was not Gas-Safe registered, and had forged the Gas-Safe symbol on the invoice letter-heading!
I don't know the end result, apart from Dave correcting the faults, of course.
JollyRoger · 70-79, M
@ArishMell "David's" perseverence probably saved someone else's life down the road.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@JollyRoger You could well be right! That is why gas-fitting is so tightly regulated.