Odd-jobs without being ripped off?

Eyepatch

Today I've had the letter box in my door replaced. The guy who came to do the job seemed very nice, but I ended up paying 170 euro. I think I was ripped off. Just by the way the guy pussy-footed around the answer when I asked him to explain his bill.

My question is - can anyone advise me how to go about finding an Odd-Job person that will not over charge? I mean - replacing a letter-box is not one of your everyday jobs. I thought I had done thorough research before getting this guy - and as I say, he did seen very nice. Not everyone wants to this job, I've found. and yet it's a job that needs to be done if the letter-box is broken.

scotty_irish

that's a rip off. but now you'll have people come on the thread saying oh he has to pay insurance and VAT and blah blah blah trying to justify these stupidly high charges.

to put it into perspective, i've just had my piano tuned, which takes a lot more skill and time, for 50 quid.

rossit

scotty_irish wrote: »

that's a rip off. but now you'll have people come on the thread saying oh he has to pay insurance and VAT and blah blah blah trying to justify these stupidly high charges.

to put it into perspective, i've just had my piano tuned, which takes a lot more skill and time, for 50 quid.

that was way way to expensive to replace a letterbox , you cant compare piano tuning and replacing a letter box thats just plain nuts

keysersoze0330

I'm no DIY expert but would take on with alot of stuff myself. Fitted a letter box a while back for the cost of the letter box. Try do some of the stuff yourself before looking for someone you will have to pay.

realdanbreen

scotty_irish wrote: »

that's a rip off. but now you'll have people come on the thread saying oh he has to pay insurance and VAT and blah blah blah trying to justify these stupidly high charges.

to put it into perspective, i've just had my piano tuned, which takes a lot more skill and time, for 50 quid.

I know a fella who tunes them for €30 .

finbarrk

Seems a bit too expensive for the letterbox purchase and fitting. €80 would have been fair.
Supppse €30 would buy one.

scotty_irish

realdanbreen wrote: »

I know a fella who tunes them for €30 .

quality my friend, quality! it sounds amazing!

Eyepatch

Thank you all for your replies. Yes, I thought I was ripped off. Granted the guy did spend more time on the job than would have been expected. But originally he had said there would be a call-out charge of 75 euro. He would measure the letter-box and supply a new one and then the labour would be included in the call-out charge with the price of the letter-box on top of that. So the letter box cost 95 euro - and that was not a solid brass one. he was saying there is a three-year guarantee on the letter-box, but was walking away without leaving any receipt. So I asked him for a copy of the guarantee. He wrote out a receipt. Also he walked awy without asking me for my old letter-box, of which parts were still usable. I don't think he had a right to take it. It did not belong to him. All he had to do is ask politely and I would not have objected to his having it, as I had no further use for it. But it's just the idea of being taken so for granted that's annoying!

The pity about those rip-of merchants is that if I had found one that didn't try to pull a fast one, I would have other jobs for him in the future. I'm still looking!

So my original question was - how do I avoid getting ripped off by odd-job persons? I thought I had covered all the bases this time.

Nanazolie

realdanbreen wrote: »

I know a fella who tunes them for €30 .

Would you mind pm me his contact? Thanks

realdanbreen

Eyepatch wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. Yes, I thought I was ripped off. Granted the guy did spend more time on the job than would have been expected. But originally he had said there would be a call-out charge of 75 euro. He would measure the letter-box and supply a new one and then the labour would be included in the call-out charge with the price of the letter-box on top of that. So the letter box cost 95 euro - and that was not a solid brass one. he was saying there is a three-year guarantee on the letter-box, but was walking away without leaving any receipt. So I asked him for a copy of the guarantee. He wrote out a receipt. Also he walked awy without asking me for my old letter-box, of which parts were still usable. I don't think he had a right to take it. It did not belong to him. All he had to do is ask politely and I would not have objected to his having it, as I had no further use for it. But it's just the idea of being taken so for granted that's annoying!

The pity about those rip-of merchants is that if I had found one that didn't try to pull a fast one, I would have other jobs for him in the future. I'm still looking!

So my original question was - how do I avoid getting ripped off by odd-job persons? I thought I had covered all the bases this time.

Even during the celtic tiger years I always tried to avoid anyone/any firm who had a callout charge.IMO word of mouth is still the best way to find someone reliable and efficient.When its something like a letterbox thats not urgent like say a washing machine then I would simply put the word out among my friends.

realdanbreen

scotty_irish wrote: »

quality my friend, quality! it sounds amazing!

My fella would tune the piano AND fix the letterbox!

Eyepatch

realdanbreen wrote: »

Even during the celtic tiger years I always tried to avoid anyone/any firm who had a callout charge.IMO word of mouth is still the best way to find someone reliable and efficient.When its something like a letterbox thats not urgent like say a washing machine then I would simply put the word out among my friends.

Excellent suggestion,realdanbreen. Thank you!

Eyepatch

realdanbreen wrote: »

My fella would tune the piano AND fix the letterbox!

Thanks real! My letterbox is now fixed and I don't have a piano - so will pass on that!

keysersoze0330

Find out if there is any local handymen out of work atm. Get a price for the job in advance and dont agree straight away ( telling them you have a few more quotes to get before you decide!!).

realdanbreen

Eyepatch wrote: »

Excellent suggestion,realdanbreen. Thank you!

No problem patch, anything else I can do for you?

Eph1958

Eyepatch wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. Yes, I thought I was ripped off. Granted the guy did spend more time on the job than would have been expected. But originally he had said there would be a call-out charge of 75 euro. He would measure the letter-box and supply a new one and then the labour would be included in the call-out charge with the price of the letter-box on top of that. So the letter box cost 95 euro - and that was not a solid brass one. he was saying there is a three-year guarantee on the letter-box, but was walking away without leaving any receipt. So I asked him for a copy of the guarantee. He wrote out a receipt. Also he walked awy without asking me for my old letter-box, of which parts were still usable. I don't think he had a right to take it. It did not belong to him. All he had to do is ask politely and I would not have objected to his having it, as I had no further use for it. But it's just the idea of being taken so for granted that's annoying!

The pity about those rip-of merchants is that if I had found one that didn't try to pull a fast one, I would have other jobs for him in the future. I'm still looking!

So my original question was - how do I avoid getting ripped off by odd-job persons? I thought I had covered all the bases this time.

I try to avoid the job price scenario and pay by the hour a price I reckon is reasonable. €10-15 per hour for unskilled or semi skilled work seems reasonable to me. If the person pays VAT then it's different as insurance etc. comes into the reckoning. Wouldn't bother if someone had a call-out charge unless it was a serious plumbing or electrical type of job. Skilled labour charges are considerably dearer, but I would always ask for labour quote before employing. I'd double check the price of any items used in the job.
Have had a few jobs done/rejected recently;
1)Call-out to fix satellite dish...€75. Bit expensive, but no choice.Can't do roof-work
2)Grasscutting......€50. Too expensive for 1-2 hours unskilled work.
3)Patch some broken cement about the eaves of the house.....€40. Bit expensive, but messy, awkward and involves climbing ladder.
4)Rebuild small garden wall, dig out new foundations etc......€750. €750 for 1-2 day job is way too expensive. Probably over €500 for labour!!!
It's really easy to get ripped off, has probably happened to most of us at some time or other, but it feels much better to just say "no thanks" and continue looking.

bamboozle

Eyepatch wrote: »

Today I've had the letter box in my door replaced. The guy who came to do the job seemed very nice, but I ended up paying 170 euro. I think I was ripped off. Just by the way the guy pussy-footed around the answer when I asked him to explain his bill.

My question is - can anyone advise me how to go about finding an Odd-Job person that will not over charge? I mean - replacing a letter-box is not one of your everyday jobs. I thought I had done thorough research before getting this guy - and as I say, he did seen very nice. Not everyone wants to this job, I've found. and yet it's a job that needs to be done if the letter-box is broken.

i find onlinetradesmen.ie great for jobs like this, you basically place an add in the relevent section (electricians, carpentry, gardening etc) give idea of what's required, location etc, then the tradesmen contact you, for something like electrical work you might get 5-10 electricians email you back which gives you a good idea on the cost you sould be looking at.

i've zero connections to this website.

Eyepatch

realdanbreen wrote: »

No problem patch, anything else I can do for you?

Not for the moment, Real! You've been as star. Thank you! I'm taking on boards what you said.

Eyepatch

Eph1958 wrote: »

I try to avoid the job price scenario and pay by the hour a price I reckon is reasonable. €10-15 per hour for unskilled or semi skilled work seems reasonable to me. If the person pays VAT then it's different as insurance etc. comes into the reckoning. Wouldn't bother if someone had a call-out charge unless it was a serious plumbing or electrical type of job. Skilled labour charges are considerably dearer, but I would always ask for labour quote before employing. I'd double check the price of any items used in the job.
Have had a few jobs done/rejected recently;
1)Call-out to fix satellite dish...€75. Bit expensive, but no choice.Can't do roof-work
2)Grasscutting......€50. Too expensive for 1-2 hours unskilled work.
3)Patch some broken cement about the eaves of the house.....€40. Bit expensive, but messy, awkward and involves climbing ladder.
4)Rebuild small garden wall, dig out new foundations etc......€750. €750 for 1-2 day job is way too expensive. Probably over €500 for labour!!!
It's really easy to get ripped off, has probably happened to most of us at some time or other, but it feels much better to just say "no thanks" and continue looking.

Great advice there, Eph! I will being studying that in more depth before I hire anybody else! Thanks for taking the time and trouble to give such detail! :cool:

Eyepatch

bamboozle wrote: »

i find onlinetradesmen.ie great for jobs like this, you basically place an add in the relevent section (electricians, carpentry, gardening etc) give idea of what's required, location etc, then the tradesmen contact you, for something like electrical work you might get 5-10 electricians email you back which gives you a good idea on the cost you sould be looking at.

i've zero connections to this website.

Great advice too, Bamboozle! I do have an electrician coming to finish a job he started but din't finish because he became a new DAD in the middle of it! LOL! He is vey nice, but I think quite expensive too. Once he finishes this job, I will follow your advice before hiring any more electricians.

zulukev

look for his tax clearence cert before you pay him/her and pay by cheque, you will see a big change in their attitude then and price when they say ill take off "this-that" for cash;)

Eyepatch

zulukev wrote: »

look for his tax clearence cert before you pay him/her and pay by cheque, you will see a big change in their attitude then and price when they say ill take off "this-that" for cash;)

Good advice too, zulzu! Frankly I don't think I would have the courage to ask him that. The very fact that he doesn't want to take a cheque in the first place says it all! IMO.

mikemac

If you don't know anyone and just need a handyman, not a tradesman try the notice board in your local shop

Often unemployed and hungry for work so you shouldn't be ripped off

Fifty euro to cut the lawn a few post up???

Del2005

Eyepatch wrote: »

Good advice too, zulzu! Frankly I don't think I would have the courage to ask him that. The very fact that he doesn't want to take a cheque in the first place says it all! IMO.

Cheques can bounce, which will cost the person money. Cash never bounces, but you need to get a proper quote before hand and agree who provides the items required and ask for all receipts.

Tradespeople get ripped off more often than you'd think and they have no easy recourse to get the money they are owed, unlike consumers with the SCC.

Eyepatch

Del2005 wrote: »

Cheques can bounce, which will cost the person money. Cash never bounces, but you need to get a proper quote before hand and agree who provides the items required and ask for all receipts.

Tradespeople get ripped off more often than you'd think and they have no easy recourse to get the money they are owed, unlike consumers with the SCC.

Of course, you're 100% correct, Del! As Dr. Phil says, there's never been such a thing as a one-sided pancake! LOL!

hous

Eyepatch wrote: »

So my original question was - how do I avoid getting ripped off by odd-job persons? I thought I had covered all the bases this time.

for odd jobs around the house why not have a go at doing them yourself, you'll be surprised how easy most things are in the house and how much you can save. There are plenty of courses out there to learn the skills to do it.

orchidsrpretty

My mother paid someone 75E to cut a tiny square of grass and trim 2 bushes a few weeks ago. According to her it was money well spent as he took away the rubbish:eek::eek:

Cicero

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

My mother paid someone 75E to cut a tiny square of grass and trim 2 bushes a few weeks ago. According to her it was money well spent as he took away the rubbish:eek::eek:

A lot of people are in a "bind" when they employ an Odd-job person-i.e. they're sick or incapacitated in some way or just don't have the knowledge/skills to do them- there are actually some very legitimate companies out there that specialise in odd-jobs- one of last weekend's Irish papers did a feature on this- can't remember which but google it now and you should get it some references easily...

the price you quote above is very steep- but you can see how your mum justified the price- ther'es the "hook" for the sale if you like...happens every day...not pleasant ....best policy for "odd jobs" is plan them well in advance..don't wait for a "crisis" to occur- otherwise, you're into that type of pricing...

keithclancy

Just get lots of quotes.

I'd pay the bit extra for someone that is recommended though

ch750536

Walk into local pub.
Buy beer.
Talk some ****e.
Say 'anyone know someone to do some handywork for me'?

ejmaztec

ch750536 wrote: »

Walk into local pub.
Buy beer.
Talk some ****e.
Say 'anyone know someone to do some handywork for me'?

...and end up with a drunken handy-man with the shakes.:(

Eyepatch

Thank you, all! Your replies have been most helpful!

u_c_thesecond

What my brothers always told me to do is when i have an odd job i give them my budget and if they cant do it for that, then ill get someone else

Example- ive a small bathroom, can bearly fit my shower loo and sink in there, and it badly needed wallpapering. I had all the materials but there was a lot of cutting etc involved and i didnt have a clue.I had 50e to my name.

So i text everyone in my phonebook and said. "Im looking for someone to wallpaper all my small bathroom(i gave the mesurments in this text too), i have the materials and need it done asap. 50e is my budget , wont go any higher. if ya know anyone who wants to do it let me know.

An hour later my friends neighbour was in my bathroom for the 50e

if people want the money bad enough you can get it done for cheap

Tabitharose

I'd to get an electrician recently, and found one on adverts, who had a fair bit of positive feedback, he did an excellent job and for a lot less than some others had wanted for it - so I found adverts good for finding someone that said, why not check with your neighbours & friends for recommendations there is no way on earth you should have been charged that much....

Guy:Incognito

u_c_thesecond wrote: »

What my brothers always told me to do is when i have an odd job i give them my budget and if they cant do it for that, then ill get someone else

Example- ive a small bathroom, can bearly fit my shower loo and sink in there, and it badly needed wallpapering. I had all the materials but there was a lot of cutting etc involved and i didnt have a clue.I had 50e to my name.

So i text everyone in my phonebook and said. "Im looking for someone to wallpaper all my small bathroom(i gave the mesurments in this text too), i have the materials and need it done asap. 50e is my budget , wont go any higher. if ya know anyone who wants to do it let me know.

An hour later my friends neighbour was in my bathroom for the 50e

if people want the money bad enough you can get it done for cheap

Presumably though if you go in to work tomorrow and your boss says I've only got enought to pay you 50% of what I used to , take it or leave it, you'd be fine with that?
Things work both ways.

animaal

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Presumably though if you go in to work tomorrow and your boss says I've only got enought to pay you 50% of what I used to , take it or leave it, you'd be fine with that?
Things work both ways.

To be fair, he's talking about hiring for a new job, not a job for which there's already a contract.

A better comparison would be an employer saying "I need a new employee. Can't afford to pay you though. Interested?". But that'd never happen

Jane Eyre

Eyepatch wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. Yes, I thought I was ripped off. Granted the guy did spend more time on the job than would have been expected. But originally he had said there would be a call-out charge of 75 euro. He would measure the letter-box and supply a new one and then the labour would be included in the call-out charge with the price of the letter-box on top of that. So the letter box cost 95 euro - and that was not a solid brass one. he was saying there is a three-year guarantee on the letter-box, but was walking away without leaving any receipt. So I asked him for a copy of the guarantee. He wrote out a receipt. Also he walked awy without asking me for my old letter-box, of which parts were still usable. I don't think he had a right to take it. It did not belong to him. All he had to do is ask politely and I would not have objected to his having it, as I had no further use for it. But it's just the idea of being taken so for granted that's annoying!

The pity about those rip-of merchants is that if I had found one that didn't try to pull a fast one, I would have other jobs for him in the future. I'm still looking!

So my original question was - how do I avoid getting ripped off by odd-job persons? I thought I had covered all the bases this time.

My advice would be to ask around and get a personal recommendation. I'd never get a tradesman from the Yellow Pages or from a leaflet/ flyer. I ask around via friends and family. When I get somebody doing a good job for a reasonable price, I am happy to recomend them. I think everyone feels that way.