Handymen.

It makes you wonder!
I usually try to get "word of mouth" recommendations, but I agree, they can be hard to pin down unless they see a profitable "big" project ahead of them. I am still waiting for the man to regrout our patio (done years ago and grout started coming out the following summer) I thought I had him as I said we wanted the front repaved as well, but then let slip that I was cutting back and only needed the path repaving. Not enoough to tempt him!!

I am a member of Netmums, I look on Local Services and read the reviews. I have only been disappointed once.

When I first moved into this house, I used the estate agent's recommendations as these plumbers etc. were used frequently by them.

I sympathise! Whatever happened to the local odd job man that used to clear up all these jobs?

Howevre, I've mentioned this before but my local Age Concern office runs a handyman service as well as keeping a list of vetted local workmen so it might be worth checking out your own local branch or similar charities.

I used the Age Concern site . I'll have to give this one a second chance as what they've advertised is exactly what I need [plumbing and tiling, but only small jobs with both]. There is someone from work that is a jack of all trades [I haven't tried him yet, but he charges by the day and it's best to get all the work lined up and ready for him to do] but as it involves drilling into the tiles in the bathroom I daren't risk anything going wrong.

We use the trading standards site, and they highlight workmen by the £75 sign that will do smaller jobs. That way you avoid all the effort of not getting a response from the 'big guys'.

I always say we are considering doing a lot of work in the house and could they just come and do this small one for me, the inference is that they will also get the large project. I wanted an outside tap fitted, silence, "I am considering a new boiler and 13 radiators plus copper piping throughout the house".... "ok Mrs h"

I think it is worse when workmen agree a day to come and don't bother to turn up. That has happened to me a few times. But I recently contacted someone on the local Age Concern list to do various bits and bobs and got someone who did a fantastic job. Very lucky choice!

A friend recommended a plumber. I have a leaking tap from the base and am on a water meter. The tap is 20years old and nothing fitted so he used his useful plumbers tape. Messed about with the wretched thing and was here about an hour. So I need a new tap about £80 to judge from the web pages. No charge from him. He seemed pleasant too. He said call him back when I got the new one and what to look for.

Sometimes the best handymen are in so much demand they take forever to get back to you. Remember the squeaky gate gets oiled first....keep on nagging ringing.

I sent my regular handyman a poem last time which worked wonders…

Tried emailing this time [with a very long list of jobs which falls just short of rebuilding the house ]....

When we approached a local conservatory firm about some repairs to ours, we had no reply to three phone calls / emails. When we called in instead, the manager said huffily "There is a recession on - we've had to lay people off you know" Guess who we won't be using when the economy improves and we have a new one.

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