Bodge it an scarper!

Being in the trade for over 20 years you meet some right cowboys.

All they are interested in is to get in as quickly as possible and get the job done - then get paid and they're gone!

No pride or care given - or as tradesmen cal it - NO Fucks given.

There are so many of these trades people about, I haven't got a clue how they stay in business with the dodgy work they do.

But if there's a billy bodgers that turns up to give you a quote, you can be sure there is a poor customer willing to pay them.

In this podcast I'm going to tell you how I think they get away with it.

Tool box talk for electricians - helping electricians reduce stress, gain back time and earn more money.

Ben Poulter, your host of tool box talk for electricians, today talking about - How the hell some tradesmen get away with doing such bad work!!

I mean, if you're going to do a bad job - the customer is more than likely to tell everyone not to use you!

So how do they stay in business?

Firstly, you're never going to stop these people. They have no morals and actually ruin customers' lives.

So much so there have been a few tv shows on tradesmen like this to catch them out.

Whenever I meet a new customer and work in their house, I often wonder if there are a few hidden cameras watching me - the thing is, these days you never know.

I think the best thing the good tradesmen can do is help customers learn how to spot a rogue trades person and avoid all the upsets.

It's harder for a good tradesperson to fix a bad job than it is to start fresh. I always say this, if I do it all from scratch I will be happy to give warranty and certificate any work I do.

For electricians it is so common to get a customer to call you up and just ask for a certificate.

“The work has been done by an electrician who has retired now” That's what they usually say, when really Dave from the pub did it for a few cans or larger.

These types of jobs you can spot a mile away, with a few small tell tail details that makes you know any qualified electrician would not have dont it like that.

One extension I went to was finished, plastered, painted and kitchen fitted. It had been like it for a year or so - it wasn't until they needed to get the work signed off that they called me.

Down the side of the house open to the elements was a run of cable, it looked like 2 x 2.5 and a 6mm - Twin and earth on an outside wall!!!!!!!

That was when I knew it's not something I wanted to get involved with.

I still sat down with the customer and explained why I wouldn't touch it. They completely understood. I have seen that customer a year later and they still can't find anyone to sign it off.

Now that's not a huge problem at the moment - what if that cable on the outside deteriorates and one of the grandkids falls near the wall?

What if it catches fire?

If someone with little knowledge in electrics has done that, who knows what the rest of the job is like!

Another scenario where a little knowledge can be dangerous.

Customers always say to me “it's been like that for years”

YES, it could be ok for another 10 years, but the potential is there for the fault to happen. Fine if your cat gets a shock - they have nine lives.

How many have your kids got????

Like I say you will never stop anyone saying they can do the job. They probably believe they can, but as soon as anything happens - I can guarantee there going to look for someone to blame.

At the end of the day it's the customers fault for employing the tradses person.

Losing out on jobs isn't something that bothers me at all. In fact if the customer can be asked I recommend getting a few quotes from other electricians.

I always come out as the most expensive, I know this because the customers call me up and try to knock me down.

“Why do you not just go with the other electrician? “ is my answer.

Well you seem to know what you're doing and explained it all well.

There's a reason for that! I do.

Price is the price. You are welcome to call me if there are any problems with the other electrician - What do you know - They wanted me to do the job.

Its happened all my career as an electrician still to this day.

I was undercut by £2000 on a job! I told the customer to go for it - if I could know 2000 off the quote and still do the job - I was ripping you off in the first place.

Customers all have a budget to what they want to spend, it's never right and never a penny left over.

So when someone comes in with a cheap as chips price to do the job that fits the budget, the job is there.

A lot of trades people do this, then half way through the job let the customer know there is going to be some extra costs.

I know a builder who did an extension and walked off the job as he said he ran out of money, after having the full amount from the customer!

This is the tricky part - you want to take a deposit from the customer to make sure you're going to be paid - but the customer also wants the work done without getting ripped off!

To the tradesperson - Get it in writing the stage payments you require. A new build would need paying for 1st fix then 2nd fix, so 2 payments

This way you know you will get paid at least some money first before completing the job. All documented too on email, so it can be referenced in court if ever needed.

To the customer - Get it all in writing what you are paying for. If it's for materials upfront that could be a red flag.

Every good trades person has a credit account with a wholesaler.

It could be 10% upfront as stated in a contract - but never 50% before they have even started.

NEVER EVER 100% upfront - and if you're not happy with the work - Make sure to take photos and let them know - it will make it easier for the person who comes to fix it to see what has gone on before.

I hate it that all of the dodgy tradespeople give the good ones a bad name.

Electricians are commonly referred to as a rip off. Yet 122,000 electricians in the uk are still working and they say there's a skill shortage.

So I'm sorry, if you want a good electrician, you're going to have to pay for it - if you dont there are plenty of other people who will.

Trades people who are not qualified, or know just that little bit about everything won't go away.

With big companies closing down and building sites shutting, there is going to be more and more people looking for work and starting up on their own.

If you have a big job, give a tradesman a little one to see if you can get along.

I know of a bathroom fitter who was supposed to tile my bathroom floor.

“3 days I need you out of the bathroom. My customers usually use a portaloo in the garden for 3 days whilst I'm working there.”

No, I don't mind doing a number 1 in the garden every now and again, but with 2 girls in the house I dont think that's gonna happen.

Plus, it doesn't rain hot water, so a shower is out of the question.

What type of customers sit on a portaloo for someone to tile the floor? I don't know - He must be dirt cheap.

You are better off being know as a GOOD trades person then a cheap one to check out

How Much Should I Be Paid As An Electrician In The UK

And make sure you're getting paid what you're worth.

Until next time.