What else do you offer or would think about offering ?

[LukeD]

I got sick to death years ago waiting for a Sparks to come in and do some work.I was working for a famous interior designer and doing high end painting . The sparks would rock up always late and still earn great money . So that made me train and qualify .I wanted the money and to limit relying on others . Clients also welcomed it . So now I am more than happy to not only make good etc .But REALLY make good if there is time and the customer will pay .They just dont want too many trades all tripping all over each other and turning up late etc .


So what else would you do to add to your worth etc ? Obviously this is more Domestic type work!

 

[westward10]

I never trust ant bloke who plays around with someone else's wood, but that is just me.

 

[pc1966]

100% if I ever get an idea things good go wrong and a female is acting a bit "tarty" ..I am off . Its not worth it and Ive seen a few guys really regret it .From cock rot to mad calls in the middle of the night or a Husband been told and wanting to kick the ---- out of the guy etc . And I have had to "escape " a few times ....some of these wealthy women are nuts after a couple of drinks which they seem to like .

Ha! One advantage of my line of work (and general appearance) is I don't get such poisoned chalice offers!

 

[littlespark]

If you’re doing more than one trade, you’re gonna need a bigger van.

I’ve got a bag of plumbing bits in the van for doing the odd shower, but that’s about it.
Little bit of wood butchery if I need to.
Have been known to dismantle a brand new kitchen to get cables run as the customer hadn’t thought of getting the spark in before the chippy.

My plastering skills are abysmal. I can fill a hole, but advise the customer beforehand that they might need to patch again afterwards.
Painting is the same.

Playing away from home.
You got to be crazy if you think you won’t get found out.

 

[Timbo]

A few other bits to keep customers happy.

 

[ipf]

So that made me train and qualify .
So what else would you do to add to your worth etc ? Obviously this is more Domestic type work!

Become a painter, or a plumber, overnight, maybe?

 

[Dustydazzler]

I have worked with and always admired some of the older blokes on-site who can do a bit of everything , like plumb a new boiler , fit a kitchen , tile a floor and rewire a house all to a good standard.

I think as already mentioned a lot of it boils down to people being fed up waiting for other trades to turn up so you can get a job finished so you just learned to do it all yourself

 

[LukeD]

I have worked with and always admired some of the older blokes on-site who can do a bit of everything , like plumb a new boiler , fit a kitchen , tile a floor and rewire a house all to a good standard.

I think as already mentioned a lot of it boils down to people being fed up waiting for other trades to turn up so you can get a job finished so you just learned to do it all yourself

Once a client trust you but accept limitations on skill /finish quality etc etc /Its a good earner .

 

[ferg]

I'm terrible at plastering / filling etc. so I just don't do it.

Plumbing wise like for like replacements of showers and instantaneous water heaters only for me and even at that only if getting a plumber is an issue.

Joinery wise I'll do what's needed to get my own job done but that's about it.

I like my job, that's why I do it and don't really enjoy the other stuff.

 

[pirate]

I like a bit of plumbing, and it's amazing how often a client asks for some plumbing work. when you are there. Some carpentry too, but not my favourite.
Last job for a neighbour was a new immersion heater timer, fitted in a cupboard in the bathroom. I switched on the light and the extractor fan started...what a horrible noise! A few twists of the screwdriver fastened it back to the wall and instantly it was virtually silent. How long has it been like that? I asked...
Since just before lockdown, but I couldn't get anyone to sort it...
Then she asked, I don't suppose you could fit a new shower screen seal?
5 minutes later, it's done...she insisted on paying me extra for the extra jobs.
Always handy to have a couple of extra skills, imho.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I have always found it unbelievable that most trades do not supply a complete service, if you rip something out or gouge out a wall, you should make it good to at least decoration stage, saying you'r no good at plastering is not a reason it's an excuse.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I have always found it unbelievable that most trades do not supply a complete service, if you rip something out or gouge out a wall, you should make it good to at least decoration stage, saying you'r no good at plastering is not a reason it's an excuse.

I agree ( to a point )

If I add a couple socket for Doris up the road then I will do my best to fill all the chases and around the boxes ready for painting

If I do a full re-wire more often than not my price will not include making good and in general I am too busy to make good as I go so I often ask the client to get a plasterer round after I have finished 1st fix stage.
That said if the client REALLY wants me to do fill the chases then I will add an extra few days on to the job at my usual rate and whack some bonding in to the chases

 

[Mike Johnson]

Agree there is a point where it becomes uneconomical for the client and the tradesman for them to make good, if its a refurb then the plaster's are going to be following on anyway its pointless to step outside your remit.

Ohh Doris, Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies.

 

[LukeD]

Try getting a plasterer to pop around and do tiny bits ! Much better to offer the service of bonding to a good finish so a decorator etc could fine fill etc or the customer does it . But state its at normal rates .if the work is offered take it ! Only time its a issue if they ask after the job and you are off to another appointment etc

 

[mainline]

A few other bits to keep customers happy.

I assume this is all your work ?

 

[Timbo]

I assume this is all your work ?

Except for the tiling in the bathroom.
My tiling is not good!
This tiler is fantastic.