Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:08 pm
i saw this in my local paper today and was dismayed at the scheme,here is an edited copy of the letter i sent them:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I noticed the advert in today's paper, I entered a Luton postcode and was dismayed at the lack of results locally.
There are a lot of schemes like this nationwide but the problems I can see are thus:
We ( L L L building contractors Ltd) have been trading for 25 years, in that time we have never had to go to arbitration and have always treated people fairly, we have completed upwards of 300 extensions,loft conversions, and refurbishments in that time,and happily have had a lot of personal recommendations from it.
We have worked extensively at luton schools, and with social services, and are on luton borough council's approved contractor list.
So in a nutshell, we are the type of reputable company you speak of, so surely the firms on the council's list should be added by default to the list??
Also any scheme that requires payment (however small) denigrates from the value of the scheme,the "bodger the builder " type you so artfully stereotype, will surely sign up for the scheme as an access point to the weak and vulnerable., a wolf in sheep's clothing you might say.
My final point is the £75 job tariff
Is a VAT registered builder going to send an employee,who he has to pay tax and NI contributions for, plus public liability insurance,in a vehicle that must be fully legal to a job say 15miles away,then buy materials (small perhaps) carry out the work, clean up , drive home and charge £75 ??
A much more realistic minimum charge would be up to < £150 + VAT
As someone who works with plasterers,carpenters,painters etc on a daily basis this would be more likely to ensure an efficient and effective job.
I applaud the initiative behind this scheme and wish you all the best with it, but i do have reservations
regards lutonlagerlout.
I cant help thinking that even the CRB checks wont work,joe bloggs will just use his brother's name in scotland or whatever.
plus as i said,exactly what can you do for £75 effectively and make money?
we are a business not a charity,TBH if a job is worth peanuts and we like the people (cuppa tea etc.) then i would rather do it free than charge £75 (and have done in the past)
things like unblocking a loo or cleaning out a back inlet gully that sort of thing
what do you think?
LLL
???
Dear Sir/Madam,
I noticed the advert in today's paper, I entered a Luton postcode and was dismayed at the lack of results locally.
There are a lot of schemes like this nationwide but the problems I can see are thus:
We ( L L L building contractors Ltd) have been trading for 25 years, in that time we have never had to go to arbitration and have always treated people fairly, we have completed upwards of 300 extensions,loft conversions, and refurbishments in that time,and happily have had a lot of personal recommendations from it.
We have worked extensively at luton schools, and with social services, and are on luton borough council's approved contractor list.
So in a nutshell, we are the type of reputable company you speak of, so surely the firms on the council's list should be added by default to the list??
Also any scheme that requires payment (however small) denigrates from the value of the scheme,the "bodger the builder " type you so artfully stereotype, will surely sign up for the scheme as an access point to the weak and vulnerable., a wolf in sheep's clothing you might say.
My final point is the £75 job tariff
Is a VAT registered builder going to send an employee,who he has to pay tax and NI contributions for, plus public liability insurance,in a vehicle that must be fully legal to a job say 15miles away,then buy materials (small perhaps) carry out the work, clean up , drive home and charge £75 ??
A much more realistic minimum charge would be up to < £150 + VAT
As someone who works with plasterers,carpenters,painters etc on a daily basis this would be more likely to ensure an efficient and effective job.
I applaud the initiative behind this scheme and wish you all the best with it, but i do have reservations
regards lutonlagerlout.
I cant help thinking that even the CRB checks wont work,joe bloggs will just use his brother's name in scotland or whatever.
plus as i said,exactly what can you do for £75 effectively and make money?
we are a business not a charity,TBH if a job is worth peanuts and we like the people (cuppa tea etc.) then i would rather do it free than charge £75 (and have done in the past)
things like unblocking a loo or cleaning out a back inlet gully that sort of thing
what do you think?
LLL
???