The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:53 pm**

Afternoon gents,
Without opening more debate on the politics of it, has anyone noticed any downturn in their neck of the woods?
My phone has stopped ringing and had a few good jobs cancel on me too. I gave 2 men their redundancy notices today because I'm not expecting to pick anything up soon. A good friend in the same line as me let 3 go last week and every local trade i talk to is telling a similar story. My local group of merchants are down 40% and are calling me every few days asking if i need anything.
It may be very regional (I'm in Northern Ireland for those that don't know me) so I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts and observations.
Hope you're all well.
Paul.

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:55 pm**

Not really Paul. I was wondering if it might happen but so far I'm doing good since Brexit. Don't want to say too much and jinx myself....

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:58 pm**

Nothing tailing off here, if anything, its got busier!
Everyone is qukck to blame brexit for everything, truth is, its nothing to do with it.
obama scaremongering saying we woukd go to the back of the queue for trade deals, but its been proved that there is no queue, and we have already done some deals!
missus digdug works for a global american company. She was full of doom and gloom saying she would be out of a job. Guess what. Nothings happened. Surprise surprise.
not sure why you are suffering in your neck of the woods, but I have heard of over suplly of cheap trades in some areas

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:02 pm**

busier than ever,obviously it can change
I have worked through 3 recessions and not 1 politician or economist forecast any of them
we are due another one soonish though 2008 was the last
IIRC NI economy is lightly skewed as I can remember it being boom time there while the rest of the UK was in recession?
LLL

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:16 pm**

We haven't even be exited yet just a non binding referendum which will be re done in 7-10 years when the youth will actually vote and we'll vote to stay in and that'll be the end of it, if article 50 is triggered though There's no going back.

Busy busy busy here cooked up into the new year

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:16 pm**

I had a big granite patio put back till May next year whilst the customer see's how it effects his business but other than that i'm fairly busy.

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:21 pm**

I decided to work for agencies and been on liads of jobs where work is flat out. Most turn out shite work so if they can get it then you quality guys should. Remember there is always article 49

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 10:04 pm**

No real turn down here either, turning away or passing on work on a weekly basis, as I'm fully booked up until Mid-November, then the furniture season starts, and the workshop is booking up very quickly. Around 30 jobs scheduled/to be booked in for next year so far. Long may it continue

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2016 7:53 am**

Pablo wrote:Afternoon gents,
Without opening more debate on the politics of it, has anyone noticed any downturn in their neck of the woods?
My phone has stopped ringing and had a few good jobs cancel on me too. I gave 2 men their redundancy notices today because I'm not expecting to pick anything up soon. A good friend in the same line as me let 3 go last week and every local trade i talk to is telling a similar story. My local group of merchants are down 40% and are calling me every few days asking if i need anything.
It may be very regional (I'm in Northern Ireland for those that don't know me) so I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts and observations.
Hope you're all well.
Paul.

It's August, people are on holiday. The merchants a are quieter because the builders are on holiday.
When school term starts, bet your phone starts ringing.

What reason did your customers give for cancelling? Be interesting to know.

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2016 9:34 am**

Agree - August is a queer month for enquiries, I'm glad as I've had a little time off and hate absolutely hate coming back to a huge pile of enquiries.

I've had just one job put on hold since the vote, otherwise it is very bouyant and I'm fully booked for the rest of the year.

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:49 pm**

Thanks guys, it's positive to hear that it's just my part of the world then. It's the reason everyone is being given for cancellations and the merchants are hearing it too. Hopefully the confidence will return quickly enough.
Hope you all have a handy week.
Cheers

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2016 10:15 pm**

Dave_L wrote:.

I've had just one job put on hold since the vote, otherwise it is very bouyant and I'm fully booked for the rest of the year.

That's Outstanding !

I'm sure i'm not the only contractor, who would like to be in your position.

Any tips ?

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:47 pm**

I'm booked up all year, with more enquiries than i can handle really

word of mouth, web presence and now more so than ever social media i don't really bother with my website anymore Facebook,twitter, youtube and instagram because they're such big sites they feature high in search results are are easy to update free and simple to use etc web page just has basic info but social media holds upto date work pics etc

Posted: **Wed Aug 24, 2016 8:27 pm**

Every august I see a significant reduction in new enquires.

Bizarrely this year I haven't at all and am actually too busy now.

I think brexit makes a difference to where your based. I'm in essex which was predominately out. As such people aren't interested. However I think if your in a remain area peoples perceptions will be totally different.

Posted: **Wed Aug 24, 2016 9:34 pm**

one project my employer was tendering for has been put on hold but its a major project and the client stated bitex