Skill Builder viewer, Paul, has experienced persistent problems with cracking render, penetrating damp, and poor workmanship, despite spending a considerable amount of money on repairs. Roger explains why multiple builders may have visited but failed to provide a quote, highlighting the complexity and uncertainty of the job.
Highlights
– 🏚️ Persistent cracking and damp issues can point to hidden structural problems like failing lintels.
– 🛠️ Builders may avoid quoting on complex jobs due to uncertainty and financial risk.
– 🔨 Removing render and fixtures is essential to properly assess damage before repair.
– 💷 A transparent, upfront approach helps clarify potential costs and repair scope.
– 🤝 Trust and communication between builders and customers critically impact project outcomes.
– 💡 Some jobs require a day-rate approach just to uncover the underlying problems.
– 📢 Open dialogue between tradespeople and homeowners is key to managing frustrations.
Key Insights
🏚️ Hidden Structural Issues Often Cause Surface Symptoms: The cracks and render failure Paul experiences are likely symptoms of deeper problems, such as a concrete plank lintel deteriorating beneath the surface. This shows how surface-level damage often masks structural issues that require thorough investigation. Without uncovering these hidden problems, any repairs may be superficial and ineffective.
💰 Financial Viability Drives Builder Engagement: Builders prioritise jobs where they see clear financial benefit and manageable risk. A job where the scope and costs are unclear, like Paul’s, is unattractive because it could result in unexpected expenses or wasted time. This explains why builders sometimes avoid quoting on complicated or poorly maintained properties.
🔍 Proper Assessment Requires Initial ‘Exploratory’ Work: Roger emphasises the necessity of removing render and fixtures to expose the wall beneath before any meaningful quote or repair can be made. This process, while an upfront cost, is essential to understanding the true condition of the structure—without it, both builders and homeowners are operating in the dark.
💼 Communication Gaps Lead to Frustration: The lack of follow-up from builders can stem from their reluctance to engage with difficult or uncertain jobs. Conversely, homeowners may perceive this as unreliability or dismissiveness. Clear and honest communication about job complexity, risks, and costs can help mitigate misunderstandings and foster trust.
🤔 Mutual Intuition Influences Builder-Client Relationships: Roger insightfully notes that just as customers judge builders, builders also assess clients based on intuition and experience. If a builder senses that the client may be difficult or the project problematic, they might avoid the job. This dynamic highlights the human element in contracting work, where interpersonal trust plays a significant role.
💡 Incremental Problem Solving Is Practical: Suggesting a day-rate approach to remove render before quoting is a pragmatic solution to manage uncertainty. It allows for a staged investigation, providing both parties with more information to make informed decisions and reducing the risk of unforeseen costs.
📈 Transparency and Realistic Expectations Are Vital: Roger’s advice underscores the importance of setting realistic expectations about what repairs will involve, including the potential need for significant work like window removal and lintel replacement. Homeowners must understand that cosmetic fixes won’t solve deep-rooted problems, and builders need to clearly communicate the true scope.