A good friend of my wife should be relaxing in her new home today.
In fact, she should have spent Christmas in it.
So what kept her out? The weather? Flooding? Power cuts?
None of the above, I’m afraid, but something far more simple and totally avoidable.
She was let down by the Tradesmen (and they were all men, as it happens) who promised her something when they took on the job that they would not be able to deliver.
They promised her she would have her carpet, or her kitchen worktop, or her boiler (yes, it was all three with different firms) fitted and ready for her by Christmas.
As is usual in these cases, slipping dates were accompanied by assurances that all would be well. By the time she was being told in a series of unhelpful conversations, that the goods would not be supplied or ready for her required moving-in date, it was too late to arrange an alternative and in two of the cases, money had already changed hands.
It is this sort of nonsense that gives all Trades a bad name. Yet it is the most avoidable problem.
The best Trades will tell a customer they can do the work, but that they are busy and specify a realistic timetable. Most of them find that makes them more, rather than less, attractive when they are quoting for business. There’s a lot of truth in the saying people used to use when I was growing up in the West Country – “Never hire the Ploughman who can come tomorrow.” Most people realise there is a reason somebody has a full diary. It’s because they are in demand. People are in demand because they are good at what they do.
At SuperSkills, one of the lessons we drum into people when they are starting out in the world of self-employment is that they must always be straight with the customer about expected time on site and delivery dates.
As the construction sector starts to climb out of recession and people get more enquiries to deal with, I hope the bad practices of the past will be forgotten and people will not make promises with no intention of keeping to them.
So as we go into 2014, please join us and encourage a new practice – “Be Straight With The Date”
At SuperSkills, one of the lessons we drum into people when they are starting out in the world of self-employment is that they must always be straight with the customer about expected time on site and delivery dates. Read More...
I remember the early summer of 2007, when house prices were rising. The Labour Government were coming under pressure to do something. As usual, they responded to short-term bad headlines. Not with policy, but with spin. They “let it be known” they were considering a “Stamp Duty holiday” to help first-time buyers.
Buyers all over the country – or more likely their Solicitors – responded to the rumour. They telephoned their opposite numbers in transactions that were about to go ahead and put them on hold. Cue property market coming to a grinding halt.
Nobody would suggest this action was the cause of the financial crash that took place in 2008. But it certainly led to difficulties for the Construction Sector of our economy, which has yet to fully recover. This sector drives the fortunes of thousands of other businesses, large and small, because people want to take pride in their homes.
Getting my hair cut the other day, I spent the time (shorter these days) chatting to the young lady who does the honours. She was absolutely delighted to have moved into her first house, using the “Help to Buy” scheme. House prices round here haven’t grown like in London. She just needed help to get the deposit together. Her sense of satisfaction in making this step onto the housing ladder was obvious.
That’s why I have many reservations about the intervention of the Royal Society of Chartered Surveyors about a house price “cap” today. Outside the M25, the property market does not have any “bubble” to speak of. It is moving, but slowly. Prices are rising in some areas, but not by much. It is far too soon to be thinking of controls.
In addition, the RICS proposal will only create “windows” when lending is available. In the period leading up to the cap, there will be a rush, followed by a slump. Confidence in the market will reduce. Builders will not be able to borrow from Banks, because they can’t guarantee sales.
As long as demand outstrips supply in the property market, prices will continue to rise. Where action needs to be taken in the housing sector is on the supply side. Banks lending to builders. Councils ensuring their planning policies meet the projected needs of their communities. Housing being made available.
This is where sustainable growth in the sector will come. Along the way, many more young people will be able to share the same pride as the lady who cuts my hair.
As long as demand outstrips supply in the property market, prices will continue to rise. Where action needs to be taken in the housing sector is on the supply side. Banks lending to builders. Councils ensuring their planning policies meet the projected needs of their communities. Housing being made available. Read More...