Thread: Where do you find Tradesmen

That works both ways Jacksin slagging off at non tradies and proffessionals I am no different I am a tradie.

I am told its the Aussie way put up with it.

I have seen many that like myself at times slacken off rough work paid max $$$ and got C worth done.

Hi

Originally Posted by Jacksin

Wild Dingo IF you adopt that attitude toward tradies you encounter I think they will give you pretty short shrift. I am an 'old' tradesman approaching retirement and personally find your post offensive and strongly suggest you grow up mate or bugger off.

Sure there are shonks out there, just as there are in every occupation but to come in here regularly picking the brains of tradies and then collectively tar them all with the same brush and bucketing of same will possibly see your next lot of questions wither and die from lack of response/interest.

I think your comments are a little unfair.

WD does NOT tar *ALL* tadesmen with the same brush. He has used the "same brush" to tar those tradesmen (the term is used loosely in THIS instance) of which he has had experience.

As you - and probably many suscribed to the Woodwork Forums - have probably experienced, there IS a severe lack of quality workers, ie real tradesmen. This is now an unfortunate fact of life.

Everything these days is done/wanted faster. This leads to many problems not the least of which is the quality of workmanship. Training is faster/shorter hence there is not enough time to teach everything and that which IS taught is done in a basic manner.

My (late) father, a bricklayer, served a 5 YEAR apprenticeship. There are now bricklaying couses that "TEACH" bricklaying in a matter of WEEKS! Surely everyone here realises that something cannot be right with THAT kind of training.

My father was GOOD no, make that SUPERB at his job. I have yet to see a bricklayer that is his equal and that's certainly NOT going to happen ever as those that may have come close have already retired or gone on to that last great brickcourse in the sky

I am also a tradesman (in several fields) I am NOT offended by comments that may be derogatory to other tradesmen as it is only THOSE that ARE NOT QUALITY tradesmen that will be offended. I also have "suffered" at the hands of so called tradesmen, hence my original post. ALL and I do mean *ALL* of my friends and relatives have at some time expressed the comment that they CANNOT find tradesmen. They have had "people" purporting to be tradesmen, carry out work. Very rarely are they completely satisfied. Those that ARE real tradesmen will never be out of work because the mere fact of "word of mouth" advertising will keep real tradesmen employed - they are indeed a RARE breed.

I won't bore you with my tales of woe, suffice to say that those tales are the reasons why I do EVERYTHING myself If on the VERY RARE occasion I have to succumb to the use of a "tradesman" (usually because of time constraints) then I feel compelled to take on the role of supervisor.

well said MrFixit

I always look in the local paper, reasoning that they wouldn't have an add in if they weren't available in next few weeks or so, or immediately for repairs. Maybe you could put adds in local papers in eastern edge of Melbourne if you feel there is nothing more local. Pakenham, the Dandenong ranges, Yarra Ranges kinda area. Always seems to be develpoments going on in Pakenham if you want building contract work. Thats my thoughts anyway. Lots a luck.

W.Dindo I think you need a nice cup o' tea.

Well I am a Tradie myself and I take pride in my work as do many others although there are some rough no hopers as there are in any job.

Didn't get much fussed by digoes comments but been a while I have been reading him here.

Seems like there is a big divide, good tradies who can't get work and customers who can't get good tradies for whatever. I'd recommend the local rag. Ian007 told me once that he did well out of letterboxing with fridge magnets because they use the magnet and then when they need you your name is in front of you on the fridge holding up the kids latest drawing or the shopping list.

Studley

True about the frig magnet. That's what we did just the other day when we needed a gas man.