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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:21 pm
by DNgroundworks
How is everyone doing for work, ive just hit a quiet spell, lost three jobs last week to fellas that use a nackerd volvo estate car as a works vehicle, you know the sort lol anyway it was worth about 20k in total.
I can probably scratch about 2 weeks of work together after that it'll be at least a months wait until i can start another job, i had the three jobs all booked in to work in with each other.
We subcontract to 4 decent sized outfits round here but i think there getting a bit quiet now.....
What would you guys do in this situation? i run adverts in three largish local papers round here probably cover 50000 people, every now and then i get a really good job out of it.
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:45 pm
by mickg
>>>What would you guys do in this situation?
buy a knackered Volvo estate car 
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:53 pm
by rab1
i run a knackerd vectra, so long as i get to site, dont care. :O
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:26 pm
by lutonlagerlout
we have 2 big double extensions booked in now plus a large boundary wall at my local pub 
you cant compete on price against those people dan so dont try
always aim for quality , accountability,professionalism will see you through
LLL
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:26 pm
by DNgroundworks
I do try LLL, aint easy.
im not taking the piss out of them cars lads just saying how proffesional can a guy be when he claims to be a groundwork contractor and talks a big job, but he runs his business and turns up to a customers house in a rusty knakerd heap dressed like an unmade bed, no written quote, no gurantee, no insurance, you get the jist....
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:04 pm
by lutonlagerlout
aim high dan,it will pay off eventually
there are loads like the ones you mentioned round here
i often see them in the paper shop buying a can of tenants at 6.30 am, also they have every other tuesday off to do "some paperwork for the queen"
I am not interested in that lifestyle,and i try and treat people the way i would like to be treated by a builder
LLL
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 6:53 am
by seanandruby
when i worked for myself a few years ago i used a sierra to carry tools, bits of material etc to jobs. had to double as family car to, so lots of w'kend cleaning. Through hard work and word of mouth i got work and eventually got a van. i try not to judge people by what they have but by what they do.
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:44 am
by GB_Groundworks
We had a 6000 sq foot new build lined up, done all the due diligence, quantity surveyor etc, worth £1.3m and 16 months of work for all my dads guys and me but the old guy now talking about mouth balling it or trying to do it himself!!
This is a guy who for the last year has called on site every week and satbin the brew cabin been shown rd etc loves our work. People hey.
On a lighter note we are up for an award for the big house we just finished
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:53 am
by Bob_A
I don't begrudge anyone a fair wage and a van is a tool of the job. But If someone turned up in to quote for a job in a big flash vehicle worthy of a Premier League footballer I might be questioning his quote. Is the quote reasonable or am I paying to support his OTT lifestyle.
Unlikely but he can afford it 'cos his a crook and a rogue trader?
On the other hand a few years ago I bought a carpet. The fitter turned up in a car, he had the front window and diagonally opposite back window open to get the carpet in his saloon car. That wasn't very impressive.
So I'll go along with
i try not to judge people by what they have but by what they do.
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:06 am
by GB_Groundworks
Yeah you'd be dubious of a guy turning up in an v10 s8(new dream car ) but I'd also be thinging this guy calls himself a Groundworker in a Volvo estate. But saying that we have an old Irish guy we use for stone work he's amazing but drives an old fiesta, and one of our bricks drives his mrs drop head yellow mini haha
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:43 am
by DNgroundworks
Well lads i was more refering to my dislike of this particular guy, his works shit end of.
Sean I dont judge people on appearances cuz i have naff all anyway!
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:51 am
by seanandruby
......same here ' naff all'. To many ex wifes seen to that. :laugh:
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:33 pm
by rab1
once posted on another topic about people being not paid (my mate) he does extensions.
he bought a new a6 and never won a job when the prospective client seen the car, but using his transit he wins work. ???
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:43 pm
by DNgroundworks
well on that note ill catch the bus to work
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:52 pm
by rab1
it would be less hassle than the nevara. lol :p