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Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
:zzz:
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
(Post 7387800)
Any tradie who takes the trouble to respond to quotes and follows up with a phone call, actually bothers with potential customers at all will be fine.
I am trying to employ tradies at the moment and it is impossible to get them to return phone calls, give me quotes, I have to chase chase chase. There is clearly far too much work for them to bother having to try very hard. Buzzy |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
I really dont understand it here - There is a huge shortage of work for tradesmen now although we have had heaps of work in for us it just starting to slow. People dont seem to employ permanents so much, seems to be all sub contract.
But trademen dont come back to you - I have been chasing my electrician for 3 weeks to do 1 or 2 days work. Every week he doesnt turn up - today I said to him "whats the plan" - he said "I;m really sorry, there isnt one yet - I just cant fit you in" Tues - I booked a tree guy and a plumber - neither bothered to turn up. When I called they were like "oh sorry, I decided not to come today" Yet there is no work. weird I am not being sarky - there is no work but the tradesmen still dont bother. If I were in the uk with a job though and I was a carpenter, sparky etc - even if the work picks up I would factor in costs of licensing (3 or 4k plus the time out to do the courses - 3 months or so cash in bank) |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Times are tough everywhere, not only in AU. But I'd like to believe that things will turn sooner rather than later. Big companies have not gone bankrupt; they simply stopped all capital projects and cut done on production. Those projects will still happen, mines will be reopened again as soon as demand picks up again. Population of AU is increasing; there will come time when people will HAVE to start buying houses and cars again. Companies have cleared virtually all safety inventories, and new order cycle will have to kick in soon. As soon as the tide turns, it will go up as quickly as it came down, and as much as credit is the problem (or lack of it) it is also a perception thing, as soon as people feel that economy is safe, that jobs are safe, they will start spending again. It is like self fulfilling prophecy, works both ways. usually, after every downturn there is a bounce, effect economist refer to as rubber-band, general consensus seems to be that markets have fallen so low, so quickly, that rubber band effect is going to become more like bungee-jump cord effect. Industries will re-open unused capacities, and all capital projects will get going again, all at the same time, great way to absorb all the unemployed.
Keep fingers crossed, stay positive, it will end, and things always work out in the end. |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
(Post 7387800)
Any tradie who takes the trouble to respond to quotes and follows up with a phone call, actually bothers with potential customers at all will be fine.
I am trying to employ tradies at the moment and it is impossible to get them to return phone calls, give me quotes, I have to chase chase chase. There is clearly far too much work for them to bother having to try very hard. Buzzy If not get your builder to employ the tradies, most tradies have more protection for a registered builder than a owner builder job, which can be a nightmare for them. If its not OB whys the builder not doing all this for you:confused: |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by jad n rich
(Post 7390273)
You often say that? Is it an owner builder job? Many tradies have been bitten by them:eek:
If not get your builder to employ the tradies, most tradies have more protection for a registered builder than a owner builder job, which can be a nightmare for them. If its not OB whys the builder not doing all this for you:confused: Buzzy |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by ripcantrell
(Post 7384252)
I have not posted for a while but I am based in WA now and have been for a couple of months. If you work in the construction industry and are a plumber, gas fitter, carpenter, bricklayer or any other trade and think you will walk straight into a job over here then think again!! DIAC has announced changes to visas today and not prioritising certain trades anymore.
MY point is if you have a job lined up before leave and can start work then great but if you are leaving a stable job in the UK as I did and expecting to get the same standard here you are in for a shock. I would seriously consider your ptions before coming to AU at the moment and if all you have to do is validate your visa, then it might be best to do this before you start selling your house and moving all your gear out here. I would definately suggest doing this and doing a reccy first before jumping straight in. Obviously everyones circumstances are different and I would tell anyone to do anything but I just thought you oughta know the facts and trash those rose tinted specs big style. There are plenty of out of work migrant tradesmen already and its driving the labour rates down. Do not believe everything you see on TV or read in the UK as it does NOT paint a true picture. Trouble with shows like 'Wanted Down Under' is they were recorded way before things started getting badand it really is so prosperous right now. It seems that if you have the funds to set up for yourself and can carry yourself financially for some time through the trade courses and waiting for work to come in then you should be ok. Bear in mind though every tradesmen here feels the same way and they are also snapping up the trades courses so they can work for themselves. Be very, very careful and do your research first!! He has been unable to find work in this field ever since, he is currently working part-time as a gardener and spending the rest of his time job searching and keeping himself 'in the loop'. He and his wife are now considering their options as its a real struggle for them to manage on the one income. These things are never easy.... |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
(Post 7390447)
I am an OB. However the tradies would not yet know that when I ring them asking for a quote and they never ring back!!!
Buzzy Its hard for OB jobs, so many have created such major stuff ups, many tradies simply wont touch them. Theres one on down the road, the guy is a carpenter so should have some knowledge. Hes been putting a roof on without scaffold and safety barrier (rails) :eek: excavating without silt fences, obstructed road without warning beacons, signs, man to give road signals, direct traffic...... dropped timber on footpath:eek: You drive past every day and see several violations, Councils been out several times, didnt even have OB permit displayed. Lunatics like him stuff it up for everyone. |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
There seems to be plenty of work down here in Melbourne for tradies. Maybe too many Poms go to live in the 'resort' areas. :confused:
Remember it's not a 'dream' its reality. |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by woodiesinaus
(Post 7390811)
There seems to be plenty of work down here in Melbourne for tradies. Maybe too many Poms go to live in the 'resort' areas. :confused:
Remember it's not a 'dream' its reality. We have 3 tradie relatives in Melbourne, all have struggled to get work in the past few months. One has 30 years of contacts in melbourne. Loads of projects have been axed down there too. Its probably like up here, some still have work, but once that stops......... |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
I'm just referring to resi work. In the S.E. burbs there are plenty of new estates going up thanks to Rudds first time buyer grant. :wink_smile:
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Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by woodiesinaus
(Post 7390900)
I'm just referring to resi work. In the S.E. burbs there are plenty of new estates going up thanks to Rudds first time buyer grant. :wink_smile:
Will be interesting when that ends in june:eek: |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Hi Guys, I am a tiler at the Gold Coast and I also cover brisbane. The past month the work has really slowed down to 1 call a week so far this week and last which is very bad as were really struggling now, every tradie I know here and I know quite a few are all dead including aussie air con guys, kitchen fitters, plumbers and chippys.
Everyone has really tightened there belts over here and not spending, If i was going to emigrate after reading this I would think again and hang fire for at least 12 months as you will struggle to find any work at all not just construction work. I know 8 people who have been laid off in the last 2 weeks from big projects as well. So poms beware, dont believe all these people telling you that there is loads of work because there isnt. Even the backpackers in queensland are struggling for work. |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by viviennef
(Post 7388258)
I really dont understand it here - There is a huge shortage of work for tradesmen now although we have had heaps of work in for us it just starting to slow. People dont seem to employ permanents so much, seems to be all sub contract.
But trademen dont come back to you - I have been chasing my electrician for 3 weeks to do 1 or 2 days work. Every week he doesnt turn up - today I said to him "whats the plan" - he said "I;m really sorry, there isnt one yet - I just cant fit you in" Tues - I booked a tree guy and a plumber - neither bothered to turn up. When I called they were like "oh sorry, I decided not to come today" Yet there is no work. weird I am not being sarky - there is no work but the tradesmen still dont bother. If I were in the uk with a job though and I was a carpenter, sparky etc - even if the work picks up I would factor in costs of licensing (3 or 4k plus the time out to do the courses - 3 months or so cash in bank) I'm not involved at all with the construction industry, but it appears that it is common practice for tradies to make promises that they cannot fulfill. Instead of completing one project at a time, it appears that they are taking on 2, 3 or 4 projects at the same time and then delaying each one. Once they have their work secured, there appears to be no incentive for them to complete it in a timely manner. Think about it, if you are a tradie and you're busy on a job, then someone calls you with another job which they want doing asap - do you say "no, I'm busy on something else but I can do it in 3 weeks time" or "Yes I'm free". Of course, the answer will be "yes I can do it". Especially in these hard times. So my theory is this - there are lots of tradies out of work desperate for jobs, and then there are also plenty who are in work but they are purposely creating a long back-log of work (without their customers agreement) to ensure that they have got money coming in for the foreseeable future... :thumbup: |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by asprilla
(Post 7391023)
This seems to be a very common complaint - tradies never turn up on time and don't return calls. The only logical reason can be, that they are busy on other jobs that they class as a higher priority (more $$$ or more hours).
I'm not involved at all with the construction industry, but it appears that it is common practice for tradies to make promises that they cannot fulfill. Instead of completing one project at a time, it appears that they are taking on 2, 3 or 4 projects at the same time and then delaying each one. Once they have their work secured, there appears to be no incentive for them to complete it in a timely manner. Think about it, if you are a tradie and you're busy on a job, then someone calls you with another job which they want doing asap - do you say "no, I'm busy on something else but I can do it in 3 weeks time" or "Yes I'm free". Of course, the answer will be "yes I can do it". Especially in these hard times. So my theory is this - there are lots of tradies out of work desperate for jobs, and then there are also plenty who are in work but they are purposely creating a long back-log of work (without their customers agreement) to ensure that they have got money coming in for the foreseeable future... :thumbup: No I disagree, If i am on a job and i get a call, i say i will come out to discuss the job and give you a proper price. I dont know anyone who if they are busy says that they are available to do another job that is so greedy if they do say that. But all the guys I know dont do it. Its bad for business. |
Re: Construction Industry Slump, BEWARE!
Originally Posted by asprilla
(Post 7391023)
This seems to be a very common complaint - tradies never turn up on time and don't return calls. The only logical reason can be, that they are busy on other jobs that they class as a higher priority (more $$$ or more hours).
I'm not involved at all with the construction industry, but it appears that it is common practice for tradies to make promises that they cannot fulfill. Instead of completing one project at a time, it appears that they are taking on 2, 3 or 4 projects at the same time and then delaying each one. Once they have their work secured, there appears to be no incentive for them to complete it in a timely manner. Think about it, if you are a tradie and you're busy on a job, then someone calls you with another job which they want doing asap - do you say "no, I'm busy on something else but I can do it in 3 weeks time" or "Yes I'm free". Of course, the answer will be "yes I can do it". Especially in these hard times. So my theory is this - there are lots of tradies out of work desperate for jobs, and then there are also plenty who are in work but they are purposely creating a long back-log of work (without their customers agreement) to ensure that they have got money coming in for the foreseeable future... :thumbup: |
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