You and me both Mups - and I’m sure many others - these tradesman know they have you over a wheelbarrow …they please themselves which job to take on and when they will do so :twisted:
In the past Seafarers had maps that had places to stay wide of. Usually marked as Here Be Dragons
Wonder if builders down south have something similar. 
And me too :twisted: my DIL jokes that she dare not say her name to anyone because I have banished most of the local tradesmen one way or another 
.
I think they see a woman alone and think easy picking but not with me :twisted:
Oi, who you calling a dragon, cheeky blighter. 
It aint my fault the male of the species that is sooooo unreliable. http://yoursmiles.org/tsmile/angel/t1304.gif
Well you can always get in a female builder, off to look for some hens teeth. 
Let me know if you find any Nom. 
All joking aside, i did a search for Female only builders, very rare, in all my time in construction i only came across 2 female workers, a welder and an apprentice electrician.
Im guessing the root of your problem can be traced to a glut of work in your area, so not enough firms about, especially with London being so close and the big money that can be made there.
Any how my search for hens teeth was more successful.
http://www.resus.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/photo.jpg
Maybe you’re right Nom, but if that is the case, what is wrong in them just saying they’re not interested in the first place? There is no excuse for them telling me they will call round, if they have no intention of doing so. That is what annoys me so much, when I am left waiting in for someone who doesn’t arrive or even let me know they can’t make it. I won’t trust them anymore.
Having said that, I had some slight success today. 2 days ago I phoned the one who lives close by. He had said he would let me have an approx price - but never did., though I quite like him, because at least he bothered to come and look. Anyway, I said I would like his price by the end of this week, and decided if he messed about, then I would have to cross him off too.
The thing is Nom, they wouldn’t like to messed about for their money would they, they’d soon kick up then, so I ask the same courtesy in return.
It worked. He turned up lunchtime today and seemed quite interested and helpful, and even offered to try and be here with me to talk to the insurance surveyor next Monday (about an ominous bulge in the wall). He then phoned me back this evening with a price for the job. He can’t give a final quote until the detailed plans are finished, but all I wanted at this stage was an approx idea to work with.
I think, if I do go ahead with this project, this will be the man I shall choose. I hope my instincts are not wrong. 
BTW, where did you find that photo of me? 
Bulging wall could be a wall ties problem, a piece of metal that joins the inner and outer walls., im guessing again but expect the builders would rather not admit that they are busy because you would look elsewhere, perhaps there is not a lot of choice locally.
Competition would sharpen their customer care. Something that was drilled into us as apprentices was to keep the client happy as return business was essential to the firms growth.
Yes, you’re right - I would look elsewhere, but customers will look elsewhere anyway if they are lead up the garden path, won’t they. Also, it comes back on the builders in another way - they don’t get recommended to more customers. So to my mind, however you look at it, they are not doing themselves any favours.
I’ve got that flippin’ wall to worry about now as well. Surveyor coming Monday morning to give his opinion, just hope I understand what he’s says! 
Nom, the insurance chap came this morning for just over 2 hours, he took photo’s, and videos.
I told him what you said about the wall tie and he thought that was possible, but he also thought the cracking could be either roots from next door’s conifers, or even a faulty drain. I suppose he’s a bit non-committal until the investigation results are in. He kept saying about the cracks are narrower at the bottom and wider towards the top. He’s sending someone along to dig a hole and look for roots first.
The builder kept his word (amazing), and popped in to see the surveyor too. So far, I’m hopeful my instincts were right about him being ok. (fingers crossed).
Is it relatively easy to check the wall ties? How many should there be anyway?
Sorry if I’m boring everyone, but can’t PM Nom.
What a palava Mups - Hope me prayers are answered for you x
Afternoon Mups, im not sure of the spacing reqd, very much depends on the type of wall, rough guess would be every couple of meters of so, it should be easy to check them though.
Older homes may not have any at all, but they are much easier to install than of old.
Both his suggestions could be right, roots can be problematic. Why not PM Plantman as i believe he had a building buisness, he may be able to offer better advice than me.
Im glad yourg getting better results now,ive had builders in myhomes 3 times over the years, i was just as concerned as you are now so its not just you. Tis a worry until they are finished, all i can say once its over you will be so much happier.
Heres a link to what they are and look like.
Thankyou for the encouraging words and link, Nom. As you say, it is a worry.
Plantman did kindly offer his help with advice recently, and I will be needing to talk to him when this hole’s been done. It will be such a help having someone to ask advice from when it’s not a subject I understand.
Bless you Patsy, and thankyou. x
Just heard last night, that they’re coming out next Friday to dig an exploratory hole to try and discover why the wall is bowing and cracking.
They are trying to get me to pay another "1,000 excess fee as well, cheeky blighters. It’s only because they never mended it properly 5 years ago that its cracking now, so blowed if I feel I should pay them twice.
No doubt this malarkey is going to hold up the new building process now. I could really do without all this hassle.
What a flippin’ pain!
Oh God !
Can’t stand it either - feel so much for you x
I feel for you Mups. It must be hard to see light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. Hope it all works out for you x
Thanks Patsy and Myra, I’m getting too old for fighting all these battles with people.
Pity we don’t live closer cos then we could go out for a pint tonight and have a good moan.
That’s just made me have a funny thought - I could see us ending up like the ‘Tall Story’ where everyone kept going to the pub and getting pie-eyed. http://smilys.net/trinkende_smilies/smiley4242.gif
BTW, where did that expression come from I wonder???
I think you’re right Mups :-p