Down the drain

For a few months now, I've been trying to get some work quoted up at one of my houses. It's not something I feel comfortable doing myself and neither do I have the time realistically...but getting a tradesman? Well, it's seemingly impossible.

The work I need doing is plumbing related, storm water drainage, and some concrete cutting and replacement will be required. I don't think it's a massive job really and I suppose I could call in favours with mates and get it done but that's not really my way and everyone is busy doing their own thing anyway.

I've tried my usual plumber. Too busy. I tried a few others, two of which never turned up at the appointment time to quote and the other said it was too small a job and he can't be bothered; that's not verbatim, but close to it.

I've been asking around with others to find out what their experiences have been like trying to get tradespeople to quote, booked in and to actually turn up and I'm hearing much the same issues as I'm having; sure, there's a few good stories but not very many. I'm fortunate in that the work I need done is not critical just yet (more of a want to do than a need to do) and I have time on my side but what if it was critical and something that needed doing quickly? I'd be in trouble I guess.

I don't know if it's about people not wanting to work, cherry-picking only the best work, that there's a shortage of tradespeople (which is a known issue here) or a combination of all these factors...but I think it's pretty telling about what the future is going to be like especially considering similar issues are being seen in other industries with the medical industry included most alarmingly.

A lot of industries are going down the drain due to poor skills, lack of personnel, reduced service and quality of work and other factors. I believe there's only so far it can go before real problems begin.

What's been your experience with tradespeople and getting jobs done that you just can't do yourself? If you have a comment please make it below if you'd like to.