How do you know you've got a good tradesman?

[Daz]

I've been deliberating with regards to this thread, but feel it is worthwhile so bear with me please.

I was asked to take a look at an en-suite that has been "prepped & tiled" by a "tradesman" who was recommended by a local builders merchant. The customer was not happy with the lippage and the uneven grout lines, so asked me to provide my opinion before the job progressed to second fix.

I had to advise that my biggest concerns were the number of tiles that sounded hollow, the lack of tanking in the shower area as well as the poor tiling finish.

The customer discussed the issues with the "tradesman" and he agreed that he was unable to deliver the quality that they are expecting and walked from the job.

I commenced the removal of the tiles today, not expecting to discover the abysmal effort that can be seen below.
The majority of the tiles came off whole and it only took 1.5 hours to remove 22sqm including the disposal into the skip. The biggest issue has been getting the adhesive off the walls :mad2:.

This guy may be a good plumber, but the tiles were just falling off the walls and could have caused a serious injury to the customer (or their grandchildren!). I'm sure that some were just balanced and it was only the grout that was holding them in.

If builders merchants and tile shops are recommending "their mates" how does a customer know that they have a good tradesman?
What do you guys do to re-assure your prospects that you are the real deal?



I've posted this in general chat because I feel that it is only fair for potential clients to see what poor quality and ill-informed tradesmen they could end up with if they don't know the correct questions to ask.

 

[Scott]

I guess the main thing it you dont know if you have a good one or not until its too late.

The main thing i tell my customers is i pride myself on the quality of finish, it doesnt matter how good your prep is as if the finish is crap it wont make one iota of difference. However i also reassure them that the prep is spot on too

 

[steve187]

I think you were spot on when you decided to remove all the tiles, they would have fallen down for sure.
I like picture number three, what a lovely pattern he made with the adhesive, he was a real dot and dab man looking at the backs of the tiles.

with regards to people knowing if they have a good trades-person, how many ask for references or to look at some pictures of your work. good luck with the prep.

 

[Andy Allen]

most of my work is now recomendation, i think people are becoming more savy in there choice of tradesman.

the cold call customers i get , i allways run through ever aspect of the job , explaining in grate detail how im going to produce the end result they deserve

after completing a job i allways talk to the customer and ask them why they went with me, and they allways say it is because of the detail i went through with them during the quoteing process.

 

[Del W]

Most of mine is word of mouth. I'll be sending customers to this site so they know the rights and wrongs, even if they go with another tiler.Plenty of info/advice for every situation.

 

[Barry bp]

You would know you have a good tradesman if I was working there:lol:

 

[tommyzooom]

Thats shocking Daz:yikes:
Are the same tiles going up again, It would be nice to compare the pictures of how it should look

 

[Daz]

The customer is having the same tiles, so I'll try to remember to post some pics when I've done it properly :lol:.

 

[Daz]

A few replies say that recommendation is key. I kind of agree with that statement, however, my reason for this thread is that the original numpty WAS recommended to the client.

Maybe I should have worded this thread to say "How do you know you've been recommended a good tradesperson?"

 

[Time's Ran Out]

The problem - as I see it - is the same with all walks of life.
It's only when you are dissatisfied with the standard of work completed - on your car, by the dentist, on your tax repayment, or a case of mistaken identity that we complain.
Life holds no guarantees and one recommendation is only a guide to that persons opinion.

There has been some excellent work displayed in the Tilers Forum over the 2 years I've been here and the total no of views in the JOTM threads shows an interest in some quality work.
It's the research by the customer that needs to be done prior to the choice of 'Tiler' and how many are chosen on price.

Daz - prehaps all the questions they should ask are here - Tilers Forum .

 

[Brinkley]

daz i reckon a lot of people out there can talk the talk and can basically talk there way into jobs .
A lot of the time people get tiling jobs not because they are right or prepared for the job but because they are in the right place at the right time . Being good at one trade ie plumbing,plastering doesnt make you a tiler .
This is why we see so much poor workmanship anyone can tile cant they??