Recommended Builder in Derby?

[Trommel]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a reliable builder in Derby (DE22/Allestree specifically)?

I've been let down by several so far (crazy quotes, not turning up to give a quote, never turning up to do work agreed and so on).

It's a simple refurbishment project of an unlisted late C18 terraced cottage - central heating, install of bathroom and kitchen, flooring and related bits and pieces.

Thanks in advance ...

 

[GeoffP]

I can certainly recommend a personal friend who is a builder based in Belper who will not let you down BUT because they are good and reliable, they are up to the neck in work. I’ve had a quick word with him on the phone and it will be early next year before they can start anything new. If you can wait that long, I’ll p.m. their details.

Note. One of their recent projects was the renovation of the Belper Cinema which has been highly praised.

Let me know if you’re interested.

GeoffP

 

[Trommel]

Geoff,

Thanks, that's very kind - unfortunately I really need to make some progress in the next few weeks as it's been dragging on for so long ...

 

[Tom]

Therein lies your problem

 

[Moo]

I'd hang on if I were you. I've known too many people who've had a job drag on and on and on and in the end prove less than satisfactory. With the benefit of hindsight they've always wished they'd waited for the one with the waiting list.

Always be suspicious of tradesmen who can come next week.

 

[GeoffP]

Just a thought, Trommel, have you thought about making a start on the work yourself? I didn’t know a thing about plumbing until a friend of mine showed me that it wasn’t exactly brain surgery but more a matter of confidence..

Since then, I’ve installed central heating with only a few mistakes (not the boiler, I got a Corgi Plumber to do that) and I learn as I go on.

When I’ve finished my kitchen, the next project will be a complete re-installation of one of my bathrooms and I'm over 70.

 

[Moo]

"I really need to make some progress in the next few weeks as it's been dragging on for so long "

The most rapid progress you can make is to give the guy a ring Now.

Think of it this way :

you can spend six to eight months in less than satisfactory living conditions, then decades in your dream home, or -

you can cut the waiting time down to a couple of weeks, and risk spending decades in unsatisfactory living conditions.

Honestly, there really isn't any contest. Get on that waiting list as soon as you can; builders with that sort of recommendation are like hens' teeth!

 

[Trommel]

Thanks for the comments - I'd me more than happy to roll my sleeves up, but I'm 150 miles away, so it just isn't practical.

It's going to be let, hence my eagerness.

 

[Moo]

Ah - that paints a very different picture.

But (from personal experience), I'd still counsel caution. Tenants can get quite scratchy when the badly fitted shower tray leaks all over the kitchen worktop, and/or chunks of ceiling come down, or the boiler keeps going wrong ...

And work has been known to drag on for such a long time that in the end it might have been quicker just to sit on the waiting list. But, of course, by the time the penny drops the waiting list has got even longer.

Take it from me - it happens.

 

[Trommel]

Yes, I know how it works.

I had some work done by a reliable and careful bunch, but their quote for rewiring and installing heating was £2k more than the next one I got, so I passed on them. Two further lots didn't even turn up to start the job after price and specs were all agreed ...

Obviously, I would have recoiuped that in rent by now, but ...