Originally Posted by The4BellsLondon (Post 7943287)

I've got a good plumber - looks like Shaggy from SCooby Doo and whenever I call I have to remind him who I am and he has to write down the address AGAIN - he is often up to an hour late - BUT he is good!!

Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy (Post 7943346)

Your hubby looks NOTHING like Shaggy :confused:

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 7942806)

According to him, there's no tradesmen in Canada that are even worth considering. They all turn up late, do shoddy work and basically rip you off. Now I live in a condo so this is my only experience with this type of stuff, so take it as you may.

There's also this older guy with long grey hair with an annoying pixie type assistant from Yeovil that do building work. Though all he does is moan about how he's doing everyone a favour but himself. I think the little British guy might do a bit up hill gardening, unless it's just a west country thing.

Originally Posted by iaink (Post 7942813)

I see you are "HGTV positive"

Originally Posted by Souvy (Post 7943556)

Oh, you're talking about Jim Caruk. He really is a building contractor. I also thought the pixie to be a rear-gunner but I reckon it's just his voice (and very gay-look). He's married with at least one kid.

Originally Posted by Steve_P (Post 7943576)

Good old Jim the biggest whiner on HGTV followed closely by Mike Holmes.

Both good shows if you could get past the constant whining. ;)

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 7942928)

Sorry about that.

Anyway, the only experience I've had with tradesmen other than on TV, is having someone to fix the dishwasher and an electrician to install a dinning room light.
The first one was a Vietnamese man, who took one look, muttered something about a new motor and didn't come back for two months. I'd have just bought a new one if I'd known it be this much trouble.

The light fixture man was very good, apart from insisting to talk about his great uncle Ray, who apparently worked in Chatham docks. That's an hour I won't get back.

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 7942761)

Have you seen Mike Holmes on the telly? Apparently he's the only tradesman in Canada who does a decent job. The other's are all cowboys.