Handy

A lot of tradespeople don't do themselves any favours so it's hardly surprising they get a bad press.

I've been a successful handyman for many years and even started a trade association (UK Guild of Handymen) in the hope of ridding the profession of the bad perceptions held by many.

Here's some things I do—

After I've seen a job I quote by email which gives me and the customer a record of what I'm doing and for how much.

I'll email again if anything should change.

Respect their home by taking my shoes off and clearing up properly afterwards (or leaving things tidy overnight).

I try to exceed their expectations in some way (this can be a small thing like putting a toilet roll on the holder I've just fitted or wiping finger prints off a mirror just hung).

Ask them to review me on FreeIndex

I charge a fair rate rounded to a half hour

... so if I say—I've been here 3 hrs 15 mins but I'll charge you for three hours I get a happy client

... but if I say—I've been here 3 hrs 15 mins but I'll charge you for three and a half hours I get an unhappy client

It doesn't take a genius to figure looking after customer means you don't need to keep finding new ones, because you keep the ones you've got.

It is all about Rated People! Great site! Great tradesmen! They made a hilarious viral clip featuring Geoff Capes too!

YouTube - GETTING TOSSED BY GEOFF CAPES ... EX WORLD'S STRONGEST MAN

Their main URL is http://www.ratedpeople.com

A lot of tradespeople have said that Rated People are rubbish.

I'm not sure if the public (consumers) think any differently but since trades people have to buy leads from Rated People who do you think ends up with the cost of this?

Rated People? (not a chance)

er the Tradesperson? (not if he can avoid it by passing it on)

er the consumer? (exactly)

PS I didn't think much of the video

I put myself down as a DIY expert. Hopefully, 30 years' experience and being the most highly-rated UK handyman on Freeindex qualifies me to say this.

I have also started a trade association (a guild) for handymen which I see as an underclass of trade professionals.

From my experience, many in other trades look down their noses at handymen who they see as unqualified amateurs dabbling in things they should leave well alone.

Accordingly, too often we get unfairly accused of being the types who fill TV programmes like Rogue Traders.

In reality there are good and bad in every trade and I've seen some awful work done by qualified plumbers, electricians, builders and others.