Tradespeople

Firstly, let me preface this post by stating that this a tongue in the cheek rant. I am sure that there are many decent tradespeople out there.

In the past few years, a new elite class has emerged.  The skills shortage,  caused by the mining boom and, more recently, our government’s misguided stimulus packages, has considerably increased what tradespeople can charge.

As an example,  we recently had an air conditioner installed. All up, the job took less than an hour, and it involved an installer with his young assistant (hopefully an apprentice) and an electrician. The cost was $750. At the same time, I had to undergo endodontic treatment. This took about the same time,  and it involved the endodontist, a highly skilled chairside assistant and some very sophisticated and, no doubt, expensive equipment. The cost was $780.

Yes, tradespeople are charging the same as medical specialists! However, they are not providing the same services. For example, if I want to see a medical specialist, I phone them and a receptionist will make an appointment. Often, we have to wait months to see a specialist, but at least there is an appointment, and I don’t have to contact them every day to see if they might be available.

A few months ago, we had a bad storm in Perth, which resulted in some minor damage to our house. I was initially pleasantly surprised when our insurer, GIO, told us to just get it fixed and they would reimburse us. Surely insurance companies are not that easy to deal with. I have a sneaky suspicion that they knew how difficult it is to get tradespeople, and I would likely end up doing the work myself, thus saving them having to pay out the claim.

Trying to get a tradesperson is not a pleasant experience. Many have advertisements in the local newspapers. I am not sure why, but maybe they like tease people. Generally the advertisement has a mobile telephone number, which one can allegedly use to contact them.

This is what often happens when you dial the mobile number:

Me: Dial the number with some trepidation.

TM: “Yeah” (Often with a foreign accent)

Me: “Hello. Is that the electrician/plumber/painter?”

TM: “Yeah”

Me: “Could I book you to…”

TM: “Sorry mate, too busy” click.

Some times they like to lead you on, and go as far as taking down your number and promising to call back. Of course, they never do.

Recently, I responded to an advertisement that had a fixed line number. This is how it went:

Me: Dial somewhat more confidently.

TM: “Hello” (Very young child’s voice)

Me:”Hello, I am looking for the roofing person.”

Child: “Hello”

Me: “Sigh”

Child: “Hello”

Me: “Can I speak to the person who does roofing? Is that your daddy?”

Child: Drops phone. “Mommy, there is a man on the phone”.

There is an audible groan in the distance.

Mother: Comes to the phone. ”Yes?” (Somewhat irritated)

Me: “I am looking for the roofing person”

Mother: Loud sigh and click of tongue. “He is really busy at the moment. If you give me your number, he will call you back.”

I dutifully give her my details, knowing that she is not even taking them down.

On one call, a woman answered the phone. When I told her what I wanted, she informed me that they do not go as far as Burns Beach. When I asked her why they advertised in the local community newspaper, she responded with great fury “You obviously don’t know that there was a storm a few weeks ago.” and slammed the phone down. Out of curiosity, I checked to see where these people are based that Burns Beach was too far away. It turned out that they are in Hillarys, which is less than 10 kms away. I can only assume that they do not have any transport, and have to restrict their jobs to within walking distance.

I have had some success in the past few weeks. A painter actually turned up to give me a quote to seal and repaint our water stained ceiling. Ok, he was a few hours late, but he did turn up. Even though he quoted me more than what it would cost to restore the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, I accepted the quote, hoping that the insurance company wouldn’t baulk at it. The following week the painter called and asked if he could do the job the following day. Both Mother Superior and I were working that day, so I made the fatal error of asking if he could do it another day.  Weeks went by, and I thought that I would have to start all over again in my search for a painter when, all of a sudden, he phoned again and asked if he could come the following day. This time, I was not going to let him go, so I agreed. He has since done the job so, hopefully the insurance company will reimburse me.

One tradesman who did come around quickly was one that I asked to look at a faulty air-conditioner. I am not sure whether this was due to the fact that it was autumn, and we required neither heating or cooling at the time. I was rather hoping that he would tell me whether it could be repaired and, if not, what he would charge me to replace it. Well, after having a grumble about where the outside unit was located, he climbed onto the roof  to have a look at it. He said that it was indeed faulty and not repairable because it was impossible to get parts for it. I then said “OK, what would it cost to replace it?”. “Don’t ask me,” he said “I wouldn’t be interested in doing it.” He then softened and said that he would consider doing it if I helped him and also removed all the fitted furniture from our study, so that he could get it through the window. He suggested that I go to the Good Guys to buy the unit. He then charged me $80 for the short visit and drove off.

All the new up-market areas are being populated by these cashed-up tradespeople. Unfortunately, this is evident in the hideous houses they are building. They are generally huge, and take up the whole block. They are true Macmansions, with all the bells and whistles. Some even have turrets. The bigger and higher the better. Unfortunately, the houses are so huge that there is no provision for parking. They often have triple garages, but they are normally filled with junk, so the verges are crammed with trailers, 4WDs and boats. Walking around the streets can be quite hazardous. In Friday afternoons, the streets are often full of utes with trailers, and driveways have groups of rough-looking guys holding beers and swearing at each other.

Unfortunately, it is all a case of supply and demand, and the tradespeople have the upper hand. We really need more apprentices, but tradespeople also control that. Some do take on apprentices, but often they treat them so badly that they leave. The other solution is to take in skilled migrants. This often causes the tradespeople to bleat that they are “Tekkin ur jerbs”.

When the GFC hit last year, the one good that came out of it was that the demand for tradespeople eased, and the hope was that they would go back to being available and charging reasonable fees. Unfortunately, our government ruined that by creating projects to stimulate the economy. In theory, it was a good idea. Unfortunately, the lucky participants saw it as a way to make a lot of money, and now charge even more for their services.

Well, I had better pluck up some courage and phone some more tradespeople. You never know, I might strike it lucky and get someone. However, I doubt it. Once more, I will suffer abuse and rejection.

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