07/10/2025
📣 A little honesty from a tradesman…
I think most people know by now that some tradesmen can be a bit… unresponsive. Maybe we forget to reply, take ages to get back, or sometimes we just go quiet altogether. But here’s the truth, the majority of us genuinely want to reply to everyone. We just get absolutely buried with work, calls, texts, and site visits.
Some jobs aren’t the right fit, and honestly, some tradesmen don’t always know how to say “sorry, this one’s not for me.”.
Now, here’s the flip side that hardly anyone talks about 👇
For every estimate I send, I’ve probably:
🚚 Taken time before or after work (or even during breaks) to visit your house.
🗣️ Spent time chatting through colours, finishes, materials, expectations, timelines, all of it.
💻 Gone home, opened my laptop, worked out a fair, realistic price based on how long I think the job will take.
✍🏼 Typed up an estimate that’s clear, honest, and detailed.
That process might add up to a few hours of my own time, unpaid.
And here’s the kicker: if the potential client decides against going with your price, probably 9 times out of 10 they don't even respond.
Not a “thanks anyway,” not a “bit too expensive for me".
Just radio silence.
It’s disappointing when you’ve spent your own time to do as they've asked. We know we won't win all jobs, we just want to know at the earliest possible convenience which jobs we're not getting.
And for those who ignore the first quote but pop back up months later asking for another… sorry, but I won't be using my time in that way again. Respect goes both ways.
Tradesmen and women — I’m curious.
How often does this happen to you?
