Does anyone have any glowing recommendations for anyone they've used for building related work:

e.g. builders, ground works, plumbers, electricians, roofers etc.

It's rather sad that nobody responded - online at least - to Gwyn's request for recommendations for reliable tradesmen.  If my experience is anything to go by it's probably indicative of the unreliability of many tradesmen.  Some make appointments they fail to keep and those that do turn up fail to follow with estimates. I've had 3 electricians visit in the last 6 months for a quote on a simple job.  I'd risk DIY but as electricity is one of those things you can't see I'm not prepared to take the risk.  One even promised a telephone quote the same night with a written quote the next day.  Just play acting - never heard from him since.  Another said I would need to do some manual work before he could get his wiring out of the bag.  The other said it sounded a simple job from my description and he would be in touch.  Not sure what he was hoping to touch but I've not heard from him since.

Peter

After my post a few minutes ago I saw that nearly 400 people had viewed Gwyn's original post but nobody has commented until now.  Come on, let's have your comments.  You don't have to name the useless, incompetent or whatever but it would be of some use to know just what does happen when you try to find - and use - a reliable tradesman.

Peter

Where's Charlie?
I was enjoying his 'anti-conservative' forum posts and consumer whinging in his blogs, .....then he suddenly disappears!  Has someone upset him?  I thought he was going to be a local champion against all the materialistic, pompous, right wing indoctrinated consumers of Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph propaganda that we have to share our life with in rural SE England!
Charlie!.... Where are you?

Love Madame XXX

Im sorry Gwyn, you are having trouble with tradesmen, has been know to happen. There are many rogues and unreliable people in all professions, unfortunately we in the construction industry seem to bear the brunt of peoples moans. I as a master carpenter and joiner fully qualified take pride in my work and have worked with some truely skill full and decent tradesmen. I have also witnessed some terrible workmanship and heard of people overcharging etc which i feel is wrong. If you need any carpentry/ joinery or building work or recommendations of decent tradesmen give me a call. I live in Stockland Lane, hadlow down, i have worked for many people in the village, the oak framed barn i built for myself was also featured on the front of the parish magazine about 12 months ago. I also advertise in the magazine, we are not all rogues, so if you need any advice or have any major projects give me a call or email. Alex (AK Woodworking) 07905087786, alexkoukou1@yahoo.co.uk. Gatehouse Barn, Stockland Lane, Hadlow Down.

I have used Ron Thelwell (Crowborough) to build my new office/garage as well as rebuild our kitchen and utility rooms. He is pleasant to have about and he treats every job as if he is doing the job for himself. He does have one problem; his prices are reasonable and his work excellent so he is very very busy! Please contact me if you want to view the quality of  his work or contact him directly on 07905-333089.

Hi I have a good contact for you. My mother over in Heathfield has just had some carpentry and other odd jobs carried out by a young man Martin Scot (0785 6585551) Good hard working and polite guy just starting out so looking to build a customer base.