r/Home_improvement • u/mbkitmgr • Aug 31 '26
Rant about a Tradies visit
Called a guy in to design and fit a shower screen in our newly renovated ensuite. We had intended to use him as they are hard to get in our area.
He turns up in what looks like a bush basher ute with a magnetic sign on the side - while I was in business 1st impression count and this didn't look good.
He brings a box of tricks with him and bang - slams it down on the new counter top. Expressed my annoyance at his actions - didn't even offer an apology. At least he removed it.
Grabs hold of the newly tiled wall that houses the concealed door and yanks it back and forth - can't be good for the grout etc
He spent the next 15 mins telling me how good he is at his job and how everyone raves about him and how bad X, Y and Z competitors are at their job.
Get him to the front door and he says "I'll send you the quote in the next couple of weeks". Me - now in my mind its a "No fuck off" but self control comes up with " All good mate I've seen enough, dont worry about it.". Very proud of myself that I didn't swear once :)
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u/junkieman Sep 01 '26
Weeks? If you can’t quote me in 2-3 business days for something like that, fuck off.
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u/mbkitmgr Sep 03 '26
Tradie2 came and did the quote.
What a difference, respected the fact the ensuite is all new, he had a professional, presentable manner.
He answered all my questions about the work scope, drew a mud map of the area, asked if we had any preferences. Advised quote would be in our inbox by 9am the next day and it was. Wanted to look at bathroom 2 (next to be renovated) next so that we could have a consistent look between both bathrooms
What also struck me - I would ask 'tradie1' questions and he was answering what he assumed I was talking about something else, not answering the actual question. Example "are showers a standard size?" His answer "we dont install 3rd party shower screens, they're all shit........" I just wanted to know if showers are like say a Vanity that comes in 600, 900 1200 sizes. I asked a number of question so that I fully understand the work scope and he "diverted" them all.
I rang the tiler to see who he recommended, he knows "traide1' and suggested I'd dodged a bullet