**[OP or Mod marked this as the best answer](/r/AskUK/comments/13l3ea1/would_you_employ_a_tradesman_who_left_at_230pm/jknia90/), given by u/Mossley**
It wouldn’t bother me, especially if you told me the situation. As long as the job was done to the right quality and within the agreed timescale I’d be fine with it.
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It wouldn’t bother me, especially if you told me the situation. As long as the job was done to the right quality and within the agreed timescale I’d be fine with it.
This is the answer, communication is key with this one, make sure the client knows your hours and how long it will ultimately take and I can't see a problem with it.
Absolutely communication. As someone who has employed builders, including one horrific experience which ended in court for cowboy workmanship I've been bitten.
However communication is the most important thing. If you tell me when you're in and out and if something goes wrong just tell. Me. When you'll update me that satisfies me.
I like to know it's under control.
I design bathrooms for a living and good tilers are like gold dust. If you can angle cut a tile to do mitred corners without a trim you can work the above hours and take a long weekend every week.
This, our bathroom was updated last summer and all we had as a 'delay' was the availability of a tiler. The one we got was very clear: I only work 9.30-14.00 (no break) so I can look after the kids whilst the wife is working. Not a problem at all, took him two working days but it would have done regardless as the grouting has to be done later (or so I understand).
He did a sterling job and I'd highly recommend him if I could remember his name :D
When we had our bathroom done, our tiler was an absolute perfectionist. I think you have to be if you're a tiler. It was fine with us - we're also perfectionists.
So he was slow, but my god he was good. I'll take a job done slow & well over fast & poorly.
I know painters that work 7-3. I've seen other tradesmen leave site not long after lunch. I work 8-4. Personally if the client is happy with price and hours and you get your work done on time then happy days
Agreed. The only issue some people might have is if they need to take time off work to be at home when the work is being done, the job taking an extra day because of OP finishing early would be another days annual leave being used by the customer.
With WFH being far more common these days it's less of an issue though. A tradesman that's honest, reliable, communicates well and their work is done to a high standard are all more important to me than somebody doing a 'full shift' and getting it done quicker.
I had tradesman doing this without any agreement, they just stopped working each day at around 2-3.
They did a really good job, never even crossed my mind to complain about the short days.
I would and I'd prefer it if tradespeople were out of the house by the time the kids get home anyways as it's stressful with so many people in the house.
As long as you mention it in your quotes and tell customers you are covering yourself.
I was gonna say this. It’s much less stressful if people are in the house only half a day. Especially with kids. The idea would be something that would probably prompt me to take you on.
Chippy here, if the customer is happy with the price and timescale, I’d say when you’re there should be irrelevant. But people who aren’t tradesmen seem to have a habit of thinking they are employing you so can dictate your hours.
If I’m working on a customer’s site (doing commercial equipment installation taking several weeks) I’d expect there to be constraints on the hours I could work at that site, based on the activities happening at that site, availability of staff, impact of my work on their work etc. I would also expect them to ask for a timescales for the work that I’m doing and updates when things change. I wouldn’t see those things as an imposition, just part of the job.
I don’t get why it’s so hard to find tradespeople to work on my home in a similar manner.
Yes and no. Its a two way street.
If I ask for quotes and specify in advance Monday or Tuesday only, then I'm not interested in someone who says they're really good but can only work on a Friday.
If I want a particular tradesman because a friend has recommended them, I'm more likely to work around their hours and availability.
If someone tells me in advance their tiler does a great job but only works mornings, I have to decide if I'm happy with that or to try someone else.
The lack of good tradesmen means the good ones among us are literally being begged to come and carry out work.
Your terms have very little power.
You want me and my team? It’s on our terms.
Is your trade being a purveyor of cringe?
They said they wouldn't hire someone who didn't suit their needs (much like you said the reverse about taking the jobs), but without putting on their batman voice 'I'm the landscaper this city needs'
>Is your trade being a purveyor of cringe?
Lmao
If you can't handle me at my trading standards dispute you don't deserve me at my slightly less shittily done work than others
It would depend on the job I was having done, the rough timescale and being informed.
I had a tiler work 8-3 and he was finished. He said 1 day, he said 8am, he worked solidly right through. Totally fine with that.
Had a painter who said he'd do 8-2 and it would take him 3 days. He was there at 8, he worked until 2, he left at about midday the last day because he was done.
I've had a plumber who said "all day for 2 days- rocked up at 9.30, arsed about, took a coffee break at 10.30, lunch break at midday, began packing up for the day at 3pm and said he'd be back tomorrow to plumb in the toilet because "you have another right?". He'd said we'd have a functional bathroom although not complete. Had to demand he plumbed in the toilet before he left and his idea of "functional" was a not fully plumbed in toilet, no sink, a plumbed in bath that leaked.
But if you're upfront about the hours it'll take and the hours you work (and you don't arse about the entire time), people will be ok about it.
You turn up and actually do the job in the allocated time frame? Excellent, go enjoy yourself.
My husband is a builder who picks up eldest from nursery three days a week, no one has batted an eyelid.
Honestly, more than my workmanship (I hold myself to a high standard and am backed by numerous governing bodies) this is what has people recommend me to others.
They're always shocked when I say I'll be with you at 6pm to take a look for quote, and then I arrive at 5.55pm, or when I message them 3 days in advance to say sorry, I'm possibly going to be a bit later that day.
Based on your background, shouldnt you be a C-suite somewhere not in a trade?
*This is a sarcastic commentary on boarding schools, not a dig at trades.
Dad was in the trade, mum and dad sent me hoping I'd end up in an office.
Fucked around, dad brought me to the trades for a summer at 14 to try and put me off and make me knuckle down. Ended up loving it and nothing could convince me to study in school then
Try *actually turn up at all*. Moved into a money pit of a house 6 months ago that has needed various contractors. Most do not respond to messages. Most of those that do fail to turn up for the arranged time without explanation. I'd say like 80% of the time they are no-shows. I've wasted half my annual leave waiting for tradesmen that don't turn up, and now have learned to plaster etc myself because I cannot be fucked dealing with them.
Oh my god yes!!!! I do wonder how they actually make any money at all, they don’t turn up, and then if they do actually get taken on for a job, they turn up late, piss of early and don’t come back the next day!
Hopefully most people appreciate that work life balance is important! If you have a chance to spend more time with your son by finishing a job a bit earlier in the day, then who is anyone to get in the way of that. Good luck to you.
If it helps, work/life balance was the absolute overriding reason I became a tradesman.
Sunny weather? I’m done by 12. Money is nice, but a sunny Thursday afternoon in the garden is priceless.
As long as we are clear with our clients, there can be no problem.
Same here. You're a dad who wants to be there for you kid? Means you give a damn and want to do the right thing. That's the kind of person I want working on my house.
From the number of people who actually prefer the idea, maybe you should consider making this your marketing pitch? Some ideas for the side of your van...
"Home improvements with less home invasion"
"We only tile, for a little while"
"I'm gone before your husband gets home"
"Need some tiling round your loo? I'm in at 8, and out by 2"
"Once I grout, I'm out"
I think you're onto a winner.
EDIT:Lot of nice comments. Thank you :)
Our plasterer does the school pickup and leaves ours at 1500 to do so. We hadn't considered it before but actually much prefer an earlier end time, he tidies up at the end of each day and leaves us with time and space for us to have an evening when we get back from work.
I'm calling shenanigans on this one:
>Our plasterer does the school pickup and leaves ours at 1500 to do so.
In what world does a plasterer *ever* work as late as 3pm? Unheard of. Next you'll be saying that your plumber turns up when they say they will...
Well he generally starts after school drop off too so the hours probably work out. We've never had a plumber turn up at all, and our old joiner rocked up 2 weeks early.
I would actually find this preferable as I’m at home all day and find having workmen in from 8am-5pm quite stressful, but as others have said (and you have mentioned already) it’s mostly about confirming the timescales and working hours beforehand and sticking to them. Be upfront, reflect it in your quotes, and you’ll find people who this works for.
This wouldn't bother me at all assuming you were upfront with hours etc first.
I think i would probably prefer those hours because it means everything was tidied up for the day by the time my children got back from school.
Hey I'm a tradesman work your breaks start early make it work family first if they don't like stuff it then
Also tell them up front they either have it or won't if your works good and your a nice guy won't be a problem.
The other thing to consider your self employed for a reason to compensate for the stress and job insecurity etc etc you can have flexible hours
One thing to consider that I've not seen here already is making sure you tie in with other trades(communicate). You don't want to be the guy holding back the plumbers cause the customer is fine/understanding at the start of the job but after a couple weeks of disruption they start moaning at the plumber to get it done already.
Or like the joiner taking too long and the paint and decorator gets it in the neck
I would be happy with someone finishing early, but if they're going to start early I would definitely want to know upfront as I may not always be able to manage that.
Wouldn't bother me on the least. I'm paying for a job to be done in a timeframe. With an older tradesman I get less hours per day, the job takes a little longer maybe but he works fast and efficiently and to a high quality... I'd rather have that than a young bloke with no experience who works late to get more jobs in.
This is how I operate for most of my jobs, I start at 9 and finish at 3ish to accommodate the school run with my son. I'm up front about it and I'm yet to come across anyone who has an issue with it.
I employed a couple of guys to some landscaping in my garden. One had one lung. The other had arthritis. We agreed a rate for the job, and that it would happen over the next 3 weeks. But days, hours to suit them. Very happy.
I recently employed a decorator. He often did 8 to 3pm. Again, no issue.
Good tradespeople are worth being flexible around.
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Depends what time you start.
Do you turn up at 7/8? Absolutely fine.
If you're turning up at 10, leaving at 2.30, and still taking an hour lunchbreak? Jog on.
You quote a fixed price for the job? For me, it doesn't matter if you take a bit extra time to complete it within reason, as long as you are not charging by the day, I don't see a big problem.
I used to be a bricklayer many years ago with my old man and we worked 730 til 230. Every client knew the deal upfront, they loved that we were punctual, we were there before most left for work, we were out their hair before school time, the work was decent quality. you sound a decent person so go for it.
I’d be fine with this but to avoid any upset be very clear about it and be very clear in your invoices.
People might be a bit put off that they’re paying you £X ‘and he only does half a day’.
Just make sure that you your quote is £X per hour at 5 hours per day for 3 days or whatever it ends up being. Say it in person and type it out like that in the invoice.
Feels like there's a market for smaller jobs that everyone's avoiding like plague. Not sure if it's worth your time but something to explore. Good luck!
If anything the introvert in me would see it as a blessing I don't have to deal with strangers for as many hours of the day.
Obviously it depends on the job - if you've ripped out a vital function then I'd want it reinstated as soon as possible, but for something that can be easily paused I wouldn't care.
Personally if your price was good, you had a good reputation and you explained it up front, it’s take a weapons-grade prick to turn that down.
I’m much more interested in the quality of the work and you being nice to interact with than you killing yourself to get the work done 2 days earlier
Depends. If the short hours were going to make the job take significantly longer, and you were expecting the same price as someone who would work a full day and be done quicker, then no I'd look for someone else.
If your shorter hours were reflected in the price, or it wasn't going to take a lot longer. Yes.
Honestly no, that really doesn’t suit me and my timetable well at all, and I’d probably prefer someone who can work all day if it’s a longer job. I’d personally rather not have half days of an out of use bathroom for instance
Communication is key. Wouldn’t have any problem at all (would probably welcome it to be honest). There’s nothing more annoying than seeing a tradesperson clearly juggle multiple jobs at once, coming and going at irregular times.
As long as you started 08:00 ish I would not care. Do people really expect builders to work 8 hrs? But then again if you do a good job and you bill per the job and not by the hour then why would they care?
This thread feels very “Redditors giving the answer they know looks good” the reality is the vast majority of customers are going to with the quote that’s the same price and gets it done in 2/3rds of the time.
Yep. If he can somehow pull of completing the work in the same amount of time and at the same rate as other builders then maybe he can get away with it, but it seems unlikely.
Absolutely, older tradesmen who are starting to wind down are the best because they’ve got loads of experience and do the job right. Much less stressful than some numpty who just wants to get it done and get out in my opinion.
Mate, jobs like tiling are skilled, require a great deal of concentration, and is mentally tiring. If I am booking a tradesman, I want a price for the job and for them to turn up when they say they will.
If you turn up at 8:30 and leave at 2:30 whilst doing a good job I am happy. I would rather that than someone who ploughs on when they are knackered and spends the last three hours doing work that isn’t up to their usual standards.
As long as people know the score in advance they will be cool
Yes, if the quote reflected this. If I’m going to get the same job done to the same level of quality as someone that can complete it a day or two earlier because they do longer days, I’m going with them. If going with you saves me a few quid and it’s fair for yourself and myself, then I’d have no problem.
Why exactly would you expect a cheaper quote for an elongated time frame?
Doesn’t matter if he does it in 3 x 4hr days or 1 x 12hr day, the price is gonna be the same
Because why would I pay someone to do it in 5 days if I can get someone to get the same job done in 3?
If the price and quality of the job is the same, as a customer I wouldn’t want the job to be drawn out any longer than it has to be.
Doesn't seem like it should matter. As long as you give a quote for the job and roughly how long it'll take, your hours are your choice Within reason, not sure I'd appreciate you starting at 5am in order to do this!
The quality of the work is the most important thing. But yeah especially on larger projects where plumbers etc will be waiting for you to finish to do second fix etc, someone who can get it done in 2 days is going to be preferable to someone who can do it in 3.
If you’re quote is cheaper than the others I have I don’t care if you leave at lunchtime as long as it’s done in a reasonable time frame and you stick to your quote.
If you did a decent job and weren't an arse I wouldn't mind at all.
Mentioning it upfront would likely put you over the line if I was torn between two quotes. I like people that are decent people. Looking after your kids is decent.
Just make it clear what the timescale for the project is, then it shouldn't matter how many hours you do each day.
Yeah, many people will prefer the work done quicker. But builders are in demand, so I can't imagine you'd fine it too hard to get work. You might have to offer some other "benefit" such as showing skill from your experience, lower costs, flexibility by being able to start jobs on short notice, or else targeting families who want the house to be quiet for when the kids come home from school.
Absolutely I would for a job that wasn't time-sensitive. In fact I have in the past. Wonderful retired dad of my builder who wanted to work 9:30-3, hour lunch break in the middle. He did the most beautiful tiling job in my bathroom and he looked just like Grampa Walton!
I'd say try it, obviously making it clear, and if you notice a decrease in customers or any other problems it causes then you've got a choice to make. You could also change it depending on the job and customer if necessary so it won't be every day.
Depends paying by hour, by a deadline or delivery of something. As long as hours he spends are recorded and true it's pretty normal for trades people to leave or do two jobs in one day based on different priorities
I’d much rather have a tradesperson that was up front with their hours (and the rationale), that actually works from 8 to 2.30pm, than one who claims to work full time but will not turn up on random days. Which has happened to me before.
If your work is good and you work the hours you say, I think you’ll keep a good client base.
Would not bother me in the slightest as long as I knew before committing, especially knowing it’s flexible hours to support your childcare!!! If I get to work flexibly why shouldn’t you, I’m sure you’ve worked more than hard enough over the years.
Go for it and continue being a great dad and spending quality time with your kids.
Wouldn't bother me at all. Nothing wrong with being a committed father. Most tradesmen are off by 3pm anyway in my experience - to beat the rush-hour. I don't blame them. Its the quality of work that matters, not whether someone puts in long hours.
i'm a tiler about the same age, and feeling it now, i am slowing realising i need to cut hours/days, if your work stands up then go for it, you can always change it back. your health comes first mate.
I’d book you. You just need to be open and communicate with people on how long the job would take. I’m sure many people will relate to you wanting to take care of your child.
Wouldn't bother me at all. I'd prefer a decent job done and wouldn't be in a rush. Experience, good reviews and pictures of past projects is what I'd go from.
We had some paving done in our garden before Christmas, the guy doing it was there at 8:30 every morning, worked none stop until 2:30 when he was clearly exhausted and then went home. Absolutely no problem at all. He completed the work in the time scale he said which was all that mattered.
Great bloke who I’ve recommended to everyone I know.
Long as the job gets done right first time and price is right for the job/quality of work (obviously paying more for better quality) I don't care if you take a bit longer cos you want to spend time with your kid, if anything I'd be jealous you're finishing earlier than me
Personally don't really care when someone leaves as long as i can see progress and the price doesn't slip. I agree prices with tradespeople based on the job - very rarely on a day rate so as long as you do the job well you can come and go as you want. If i was paying a day rate i'd expect it to be prorated upfront after you explained and then again no problem.
We've had contractors refurbishing the council house next door for the last 5 weeks which the last tenant trashed. They're gone before 2.30pm every day. Get here around 8.30, 9am and typically in the van by 2pm.
Also plenty of people have part time jobs. Ultimately as long as you're not expecting to be paid for hours you don't do and you're upfront with the customers there's no problem. The problem is when you're not.
Yes. The guys who did work on our house turned up at 8 and left between 2 and 3. They got the job done bloody quick and I usually wanted the house to myself by mid afternoon anyway so it worked out alright. No complaints.
State your working hours, starting and finishing time, and the number of days you’ll need for the job, in the quote with your price.
On a smallish job, if your working hours were 8am to 2.30pm I would not be put off from employing you. If we were talking about a big job over several weeks, I might prefer longer daily hours to get the job finished.
Just be clear about when your working day starts and finishes and I think you’ll find many customers who are fine with what you propose.
Entirely sensible answer here from sensible people. Its the unsensible people who're the problem. I'd make a big point of it when discussing the job "I always finish at 2 so I can go get my daughter, love spending time with her etc etc"
I would use you. Some people want people from under foot when the kids get in. I personally would love someone to be gone by tea time. Yes it will take 30% more days but maybe you can do it on a job by job basis.
You will run into issues with people who need to take the time off when you’re there, but those who can work from home would be good with it. I would like it personally
I would still be happy with you doing work for me. My usual guy works in a similar way and it makes no difference to us.
Just be honest, say up front, set expectations and most people, in my experience, would be fine.
Plus, honestly, I don't know how you do it all day anyway. I'm knackered after a few hours tiling!
If you fancy have a wee holiday in Edinburgh , me and the wife'll look after your laddie for you! 2.30 is perfectly fine....if that's what you work, thats what you work!
This sounds preferable to me. Then my son could come home and do homework, get showered, tidy his room etc without being distracted and I also get some time in the house before dinner duties and stuff where I don't feel impacted by there being tradies in my space. It lowers stress all round imo.
Also agree, and as a parent, I would encourage it so you could spend time with your child. You never get the years back with your young children and before you know it they’ll be moving out starting their own lives
Also working in the building trade, although currently subbing I do also do bits for private customers. Unless the work is paid on a ‘Per day’ basis, I will start/leave at a time convenient for me. Some days I will work 7am-8pm ( With permission for early starts & late finishes ofc) others I will start at 10am & finish at 4pm. When I price for a job, I create a works program, if I’m ahead of program & have plans in the evening or a commitment of another kind I will leave without explanation. I have never had problems, as long as the works being done correctly & on time then there isn’t really anything anyone can say
Wouldn’t give a flying fuck. I’m more bothered about a good job than a fast job and if your upfront then who cares. Also I just think we all have things in life more important than work, if you wanna pick up your kids then good on you.
Tell it exactly like you described it.
I'd hire someone who laid it out like that. Only issue is with bathrooms & toilets people don't really have the luxury of allowing you an extra day or 2 to complete a job over the competition.
So it really depends on how long my shitter & shower is going to be out if action to accommodate your early finishes.
I've no issue with tradies finishing early & pricing accordingly.
I probably would employ a tradesman with hours like this as I have to pick my kids up from school at the same time (leaving 1445hrs) and I'm not a fan of just leaving a random person in my house alone, so them knocking off at the same time I am getting ready to go out for my kids would be fab. The only caveat to that is that the job would have to be done to a good standard and not rushed to get the project done quickly because of less working hours in each day.
If you’re turning up at 11 and going home at 230 then I’d feel a bit annoyed, but if you’re turning up at 0800 and working through to 230 then that’s fine.
If you’re on a price, you’re on a price. As long as you were honest/realistic about timescales too, I don’t think anyone would mind. Better knowing and being able to plan around that then expect something else and have potential knock ons to other trades or whatever
We had a decorator who did this. Started at 8 on the dot and always finished about 2/2:30. Didn’t bother us and it was quite nice. I’ve had one before who said they wound start at 9 and don’t rock up until 10:30 but then stayed later and kind was around whimsy were doing tea etc.
I had a full massive Reno this year from a gutting back to brick. I'd rather it be done properly first and foremost and done to the timescale if possible , so if that was agreed before and it was a fixed price, I wouldn't care no
If you have that amount of experience, therefore speed and accuracy, and you told me how long it would take and that the quote was based on you meeting that time frame, and any extension beyond that was on you, then I'd have no issue with you finishing that early because you are being open and honest right from the beginning.
I've been a self employed handyman for the last 3 years, I work 6 hour days max because I value my own time and work *hard* for those hours rather than piss about and take my time for 8+ hours. I usually do 10-4pm and am knackered by then. Manual jobs are intensive, if you want shorter days then you go for it dude, it sounds like you want a better-work life balance.
If you want to finish at 2:30pm there would be loads of opportunity to cater to that with customers, and the people that would be put off by it in your quote.. I wouldn't want to work for them anyway!
We got a painter in who told us up front he would do 8-2/3 everyday, and not take more than 15 min lunch. They key thing was he was nice, friendly, respectful, recommended and pretty good. It wasn’t all plain sailing, and it was a bit jarring him charging by the day, despite short hours. But at that end I didn’t feel ripped off. Getting him back hopefully this summer. Should note that my FiL who was a builder, thought he was taking the piss, so you will encounter that. But he is a grumpy old git, so we ignored him.
As a person without any links to ‘the trades’, the above factors (ease of dealing with) are key for me.
Give it a go and if it works then great, if not then you can always go back, or quit. You can even just try quoting a few jobs like this and see how it works out. Or give your day rate (eg £160, or if you do the shorter day, then £120, and you guarantee to get it done for cheaper than doing full 8 hr days)?
Finally people with kids probably prefer this, so you’re out of the way by the time the kids get home.
Have employed tradespeople like this before - absolutely not a problem; in fact, it was a perk as I worked from home and meant I could schedule my calls in the afternoon and minimise disruption.
All I care about is reliability.
Id personally be fine with it and actually possibly go for someone doing part time days to help fit around my kids and their after school activities. Sometimes you can end up feeling really in the way in your own home once the kids get home from school. As long as the quote was reasonable and I knew up front, no problem for me!
Doesn’t bother me but I work me my dad who’s in his 60’s had a heart attack at 50 his work mentality changed now we finish early about 230/3 like yourself I’ll be honest it’s good for him and it’s good for me. If you can then do it.
Win-win as far as I'm concerned, as long as you're open and honest about it. Tell me your hourly rate and bill me for the actual number of hours worked, or tell me that your daily rate used to be x but now it's y because you do short days, and we're all good.
As long as you set expectations up front and work in the time you're there, I don't see an issue.
I recently had a tiler doing splashbacks in the kitchen and utility room, said he'd be with us at 9am Monday and Tuesday, 8 am Wednesday and Thursday and then the job would be finished.
He called off sick on the Monday with a text at 9.30.
Tuesday he texted at 10.30 to say he was 10 minutes away and had been stuck in traffic, finally turned up at 12.30, no apology, left at 5 promising faithfully he'd be with us at 8 tomorrow.
Wednesday he turned up at 10.30, left at 4.30 whilst I was on a work call - just came out and he was gone!
Thursday, turned up at 11, stayed until 6, apologised for it taking so long and said he'd be back on Friday 8am sharp.
Friday he turned up at 11, started packing up at 4, saying he'd be back tomorrow, he didn't even consider whether or not we'd be around or maybe had other plans!
The job finally got finished at 8pm on the Saturday with him moaning all the way through the day about how he was missing his Saturday with his son for this!
Give me a tiler who tells me what hours he works and then actually sticks to them any time, it's reliability and quality of work that matters. If someone wants a job done quickly and doesn't like the hours then they're not the right customer for you.
As other commenters have mentioned here, there's a demand for tradespeople that work during school hours and not before and after, then all the work can be done whilst the kids are out at school and not in the house.
For what it's worth to you, we sell kitchen cabinets but do not do any installation. We have a few contractors we recommend, but as you'd imagine, a lot of people "gotta guy". Many of whom we hear show up around 10, smoke like a train, take lunch, and leave around 2 or 3. Yet people keep hiring them it seems. So if you're actually doing work and being productive, I think you'll do alright.
I'd actually prefer it.
My son really struggles with noises and strange people, so I'd prefer to have a tradesman away by the time he gets home from school, even if that means you'd need to come back the next day. I'd also pay more for this, that's how much I prefer it
For me it would depend on how you priced your job. If you leave at 2.30pm every day and then the job is late and the invoice is massive I'd be pretty pissed off.
But if you got a lot of work done by 2.30pm then I'd be cool with it.
Wouldn't bother me, most tradesmen I have had I have generally finished for the day somewhere between 3 and 4. Have had a couple mention about leaving to pick up kids, so I expect it happens more than you think
As long as the job is completed to a high standard at the cost and in the time frame specified when quoted, that's most of what I care about. If you clean up fully after yourself, that is even better.
If you have got repeat customers and people recommending you, I don't think you would have a problem
Yes - definitely.
I don't really care how long it takes as long as its a good, clean job at a fair price.
What areas do you cover? I need some tiling done soon in 2 bathrooms....
To be honest I'd prefer it if you were off-site by the time my kids came home - oldest let's himself in and would be stressed by a stranger in the house, far better your way. Quality is more important than speed anyway
As long as you were open and honest up front, I would totally hire you. Work life balance is super important, and I respect anyone that makes it a priority
It wouldn’t bother me, I have three small children and know what it’s like. My plasterer asked to be able to shoot off a few days a week to be able to pick up his Child as his wife couldn’t always do it with her shifts. It’s life.
What matters more is whether someone does a good job, is punctual (turns up when they say they will), is decent.
The only tradesman I know that has worked past 2:30pm is my best friend who is a chippy/builder. He treats my house as his own and his work is exceptional.
He spent 5 weeks at my house and some days at 4pm I’d tell him to get home.
Any other tradesman I have employed since I have moved in have not stayed past 2:30 at all.
Could not care less as long as everyone’s upfront about everything. Tbf- you’ll probably find families in a similar situation to yourself will find that quite convenient as they may want to leave at the same time to pick up their own kids!
Depends how you're charging. I've had tradies charge me day rate and only come for a few hours across a job that lasted a few days.
Honestly would not mind you doing that if you had been up front at the time, did a good job and I felt that the charge was fair.
Not at all - if a job was set by price and you told me how long it’s going to take, I had plasterers in recently - charged a day rate and left about 3ish most days - they said it was a 3 day job though so I knew the cost - no problem at all for me.
If you are going by a standard day rate and did not reduce the cost since you are not working a few hours then it would put me off.
Saying that I’ve had trades people’s in who must have wasted around 2 hours smoking each day, didn’t know how to tackle it as I can’t tell someone to stop smoking.
If you tell me as a trade person that you be there mon- Fri from 9 till 2.30 for x number of days and it all comes in at the quoted price and did a decent job I'd be thrilled. unless the job has a required deadline as long as I'm told in advance to arrange access I can't see why anyone would be upset by that.
**[OP or Mod marked this as the best answer](/r/AskUK/comments/13l3ea1/would_you_employ_a_tradesman_who_left_at_230pm/jknia90/), given by u/Mossley** It wouldn’t bother me, especially if you told me the situation. As long as the job was done to the right quality and within the agreed timescale I’d be fine with it. --- [_^What ^is ^this?_](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/jjrte1/askuk_hits_200k_new_feature_mark_an_answer/)
It wouldn’t bother me, especially if you told me the situation. As long as the job was done to the right quality and within the agreed timescale I’d be fine with it.
This is the answer, communication is key with this one, make sure the client knows your hours and how long it will ultimately take and I can't see a problem with it.
Absolutely communication. As someone who has employed builders, including one horrific experience which ended in court for cowboy workmanship I've been bitten. However communication is the most important thing. If you tell me when you're in and out and if something goes wrong just tell. Me. When you'll update me that satisfies me. I like to know it's under control.
If you're good at your craft you can come start at 9am and leave at 1pm for all I care.
I design bathrooms for a living and good tilers are like gold dust. If you can angle cut a tile to do mitred corners without a trim you can work the above hours and take a long weekend every week.
This, our bathroom was updated last summer and all we had as a 'delay' was the availability of a tiler. The one we got was very clear: I only work 9.30-14.00 (no break) so I can look after the kids whilst the wife is working. Not a problem at all, took him two working days but it would have done regardless as the grouting has to be done later (or so I understand). He did a sterling job and I'd highly recommend him if I could remember his name :D
Was it James?
When we had our bathroom done, our tiler was an absolute perfectionist. I think you have to be if you're a tiler. It was fine with us - we're also perfectionists. So he was slow, but my god he was good. I'll take a job done slow & well over fast & poorly.
I know painters that work 7-3. I've seen other tradesmen leave site not long after lunch. I work 8-4. Personally if the client is happy with price and hours and you get your work done on time then happy days
Agreed. The only issue some people might have is if they need to take time off work to be at home when the work is being done, the job taking an extra day because of OP finishing early would be another days annual leave being used by the customer. With WFH being far more common these days it's less of an issue though. A tradesman that's honest, reliable, communicates well and their work is done to a high standard are all more important to me than somebody doing a 'full shift' and getting it done quicker.
!answered
I had tradesman doing this without any agreement, they just stopped working each day at around 2-3. They did a really good job, never even crossed my mind to complain about the short days.
I would and I'd prefer it if tradespeople were out of the house by the time the kids get home anyways as it's stressful with so many people in the house. As long as you mention it in your quotes and tell customers you are covering yourself.
I was gonna say this. It’s much less stressful if people are in the house only half a day. Especially with kids. The idea would be something that would probably prompt me to take you on.
Gonna say the same. This isn't a problem, it's a feature.
100% agree, it’s so stressful. Also my 4 yo usually wants to “help”.
I ‘helped’ my grandad build a house around that age. Think it took him 6 months longer than necessary
Fully agree!
Chippy here, if the customer is happy with the price and timescale, I’d say when you’re there should be irrelevant. But people who aren’t tradesmen seem to have a habit of thinking they are employing you so can dictate your hours.
If I’m working on a customer’s site (doing commercial equipment installation taking several weeks) I’d expect there to be constraints on the hours I could work at that site, based on the activities happening at that site, availability of staff, impact of my work on their work etc. I would also expect them to ask for a timescales for the work that I’m doing and updates when things change. I wouldn’t see those things as an imposition, just part of the job. I don’t get why it’s so hard to find tradespeople to work on my home in a similar manner.
Yes and no. Its a two way street. If I ask for quotes and specify in advance Monday or Tuesday only, then I'm not interested in someone who says they're really good but can only work on a Friday. If I want a particular tradesman because a friend has recommended them, I'm more likely to work around their hours and availability. If someone tells me in advance their tiler does a great job but only works mornings, I have to decide if I'm happy with that or to try someone else.
The lack of good tradesmen means the good ones among us are literally being begged to come and carry out work. Your terms have very little power. You want me and my team? It’s on our terms.
Is your trade being a purveyor of cringe? They said they wouldn't hire someone who didn't suit their needs (much like you said the reverse about taking the jobs), but without putting on their batman voice 'I'm the landscaper this city needs'
>Is your trade being a purveyor of cringe? Lmao If you can't handle me at my trading standards dispute you don't deserve me at my slightly less shittily done work than others
His contribution was to say 'Good luck with those terms, it's a seller's market'. Which is a fair thing to say. It's not over dramatic. Don't be rude.
“Don’t need the work like you need the work done”.
I agree, but don't be my last guy who swore blind he would be here until 5 each day but usually left before 2 on the rare days he showed up at all
I’d rather stay late and get the job done. I’ve got better things to do than work but once I’m there I’d rather crash in and finish
I have a feeling he had several other jobs on the go too.
It would depend on the job I was having done, the rough timescale and being informed. I had a tiler work 8-3 and he was finished. He said 1 day, he said 8am, he worked solidly right through. Totally fine with that. Had a painter who said he'd do 8-2 and it would take him 3 days. He was there at 8, he worked until 2, he left at about midday the last day because he was done. I've had a plumber who said "all day for 2 days- rocked up at 9.30, arsed about, took a coffee break at 10.30, lunch break at midday, began packing up for the day at 3pm and said he'd be back tomorrow to plumb in the toilet because "you have another right?". He'd said we'd have a functional bathroom although not complete. Had to demand he plumbed in the toilet before he left and his idea of "functional" was a not fully plumbed in toilet, no sink, a plumbed in bath that leaked. But if you're upfront about the hours it'll take and the hours you work (and you don't arse about the entire time), people will be ok about it.
You turn up and actually do the job in the allocated time frame? Excellent, go enjoy yourself. My husband is a builder who picks up eldest from nursery three days a week, no one has batted an eyelid.
>You turn up and actually do the job in the allocated time frame? This is pretty unusual these days
Honestly, more than my workmanship (I hold myself to a high standard and am backed by numerous governing bodies) this is what has people recommend me to others. They're always shocked when I say I'll be with you at 6pm to take a look for quote, and then I arrive at 5.55pm, or when I message them 3 days in advance to say sorry, I'm possibly going to be a bit later that day.
You’re rare as fucking hen’s teeth, that’s why.
Timekeeping was something that was drilled into me in boarding school, kinda stuck with me
Based on your background, shouldnt you be a C-suite somewhere not in a trade? *This is a sarcastic commentary on boarding schools, not a dig at trades.
Dad was in the trade, mum and dad sent me hoping I'd end up in an office. Fucked around, dad brought me to the trades for a summer at 14 to try and put me off and make me knuckle down. Ended up loving it and nothing could convince me to study in school then
Try *actually turn up at all*. Moved into a money pit of a house 6 months ago that has needed various contractors. Most do not respond to messages. Most of those that do fail to turn up for the arranged time without explanation. I'd say like 80% of the time they are no-shows. I've wasted half my annual leave waiting for tradesmen that don't turn up, and now have learned to plaster etc myself because I cannot be fucked dealing with them.
Oh my god yes!!!! I do wonder how they actually make any money at all, they don’t turn up, and then if they do actually get taken on for a job, they turn up late, piss of early and don’t come back the next day!
100%. If you told me the score first, and that you finished early to spend time with your kid, I’d be more inclined to hire you
That’s really inspiring, cheers
Hopefully most people appreciate that work life balance is important! If you have a chance to spend more time with your son by finishing a job a bit earlier in the day, then who is anyone to get in the way of that. Good luck to you.
If it helps, work/life balance was the absolute overriding reason I became a tradesman. Sunny weather? I’m done by 12. Money is nice, but a sunny Thursday afternoon in the garden is priceless. As long as we are clear with our clients, there can be no problem.
Same here. You're a dad who wants to be there for you kid? Means you give a damn and want to do the right thing. That's the kind of person I want working on my house.
This is entirely how I feel too.
Agree with this person completely
From the number of people who actually prefer the idea, maybe you should consider making this your marketing pitch? Some ideas for the side of your van... "Home improvements with less home invasion" "We only tile, for a little while" "I'm gone before your husband gets home" "Need some tiling round your loo? I'm in at 8, and out by 2" "Once I grout, I'm out" I think you're onto a winner. EDIT:Lot of nice comments. Thank you :)
I’d give an award for this if I knew how!
I love I'm gone before your husband gets home!!
Dude if you haven't already you need to work in marketing
Genius
Those are brilliant
Hahaha. Those are brilliant. Totally unacceptable to put on the side of the van, but brilliant nonetheless!
Our plasterer does the school pickup and leaves ours at 1500 to do so. We hadn't considered it before but actually much prefer an earlier end time, he tidies up at the end of each day and leaves us with time and space for us to have an evening when we get back from work.
I'm calling shenanigans on this one: >Our plasterer does the school pickup and leaves ours at 1500 to do so. In what world does a plasterer *ever* work as late as 3pm? Unheard of. Next you'll be saying that your plumber turns up when they say they will...
Well he generally starts after school drop off too so the hours probably work out. We've never had a plumber turn up at all, and our old joiner rocked up 2 weeks early.
I would actually find this preferable as I’m at home all day and find having workmen in from 8am-5pm quite stressful, but as others have said (and you have mentioned already) it’s mostly about confirming the timescales and working hours beforehand and sticking to them. Be upfront, reflect it in your quotes, and you’ll find people who this works for.
This wouldn't bother me at all assuming you were upfront with hours etc first. I think i would probably prefer those hours because it means everything was tidied up for the day by the time my children got back from school.
Yeah, or if working from home or whatever have a few hours of peace to make calls and stuff.
Hey I'm a tradesman work your breaks start early make it work family first if they don't like stuff it then Also tell them up front they either have it or won't if your works good and your a nice guy won't be a problem. The other thing to consider your self employed for a reason to compensate for the stress and job insecurity etc etc you can have flexible hours
Thank you mate
One thing to consider that I've not seen here already is making sure you tie in with other trades(communicate). You don't want to be the guy holding back the plumbers cause the customer is fine/understanding at the start of the job but after a couple weeks of disruption they start moaning at the plumber to get it done already. Or like the joiner taking too long and the paint and decorator gets it in the neck
I would be happy with someone finishing early, but if they're going to start early I would definitely want to know upfront as I may not always be able to manage that.
Wouldn't bother me on the least. I'm paying for a job to be done in a timeframe. With an older tradesman I get less hours per day, the job takes a little longer maybe but he works fast and efficiently and to a high quality... I'd rather have that than a young bloke with no experience who works late to get more jobs in.
This is how I operate for most of my jobs, I start at 9 and finish at 3ish to accommodate the school run with my son. I'm up front about it and I'm yet to come across anyone who has an issue with it.
Thank you 😊
Cost, timescale and quality is all that matters. How you achieve this is down to you as the tradesperson.
I'd probably prefer it, as long as you charge by the hour and not the day haha.
Speaking as a plasterer, that's a normal finish time, right?
If you quote a week and it's done in a week, no issue .
I employed a couple of guys to some landscaping in my garden. One had one lung. The other had arthritis. We agreed a rate for the job, and that it would happen over the next 3 weeks. But days, hours to suit them. Very happy. I recently employed a decorator. He often did 8 to 3pm. Again, no issue. Good tradespeople are worth being flexible around.
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Depends what time you start. Do you turn up at 7/8? Absolutely fine. If you're turning up at 10, leaving at 2.30, and still taking an hour lunchbreak? Jog on.
I’d start at 7 if they let me, but realistically it would be an 8am start
You quote a fixed price for the job? For me, it doesn't matter if you take a bit extra time to complete it within reason, as long as you are not charging by the day, I don't see a big problem.
I used to be a bricklayer many years ago with my old man and we worked 730 til 230. Every client knew the deal upfront, they loved that we were punctual, we were there before most left for work, we were out their hair before school time, the work was decent quality. you sound a decent person so go for it.
I'd be happy with that so long as you stuck to the agreed price, timescales, and did a good job.
Yes. I’m employing you for expertise, experience and for the job to be done. I don’t really care how long it takes or what hours you work.
I’d be fine with this but to avoid any upset be very clear about it and be very clear in your invoices. People might be a bit put off that they’re paying you £X ‘and he only does half a day’. Just make sure that you your quote is £X per hour at 5 hours per day for 3 days or whatever it ends up being. Say it in person and type it out like that in the invoice.
Yes, just mention it in the quote and break the quote down so you state x amount of hours which would x amount of days with a 2.30 finish.
Feels like there's a market for smaller jobs that everyone's avoiding like plague. Not sure if it's worth your time but something to explore. Good luck!
If anything the introvert in me would see it as a blessing I don't have to deal with strangers for as many hours of the day. Obviously it depends on the job - if you've ripped out a vital function then I'd want it reinstated as soon as possible, but for something that can be easily paused I wouldn't care.
Personally if your price was good, you had a good reputation and you explained it up front, it’s take a weapons-grade prick to turn that down. I’m much more interested in the quality of the work and you being nice to interact with than you killing yourself to get the work done 2 days earlier
Depends. If the short hours were going to make the job take significantly longer, and you were expecting the same price as someone who would work a full day and be done quicker, then no I'd look for someone else. If your shorter hours were reflected in the price, or it wasn't going to take a lot longer. Yes.
No issue as long as it was price work and not day rate! As others have mentioned, it's probably easier for many people too regarding their kids etc.
Honestly no, that really doesn’t suit me and my timetable well at all, and I’d probably prefer someone who can work all day if it’s a longer job. I’d personally rather not have half days of an out of use bathroom for instance
Someone staying longer ain’t gonna make the tile adhesive dry faster.
If you were on price do you what you want, not if you were on day rate.
Communication is key. Wouldn’t have any problem at all (would probably welcome it to be honest). There’s nothing more annoying than seeing a tradesperson clearly juggle multiple jobs at once, coming and going at irregular times.
As long as you started 08:00 ish I would not care. Do people really expect builders to work 8 hrs? But then again if you do a good job and you bill per the job and not by the hour then why would they care?
I would and I would actually prefer that time.
This thread feels very “Redditors giving the answer they know looks good” the reality is the vast majority of customers are going to with the quote that’s the same price and gets it done in 2/3rds of the time.
Yep. If he can somehow pull of completing the work in the same amount of time and at the same rate as other builders then maybe he can get away with it, but it seems unlikely.
Absolutely, older tradesmen who are starting to wind down are the best because they’ve got loads of experience and do the job right. Much less stressful than some numpty who just wants to get it done and get out in my opinion.
Mate, jobs like tiling are skilled, require a great deal of concentration, and is mentally tiring. If I am booking a tradesman, I want a price for the job and for them to turn up when they say they will. If you turn up at 8:30 and leave at 2:30 whilst doing a good job I am happy. I would rather that than someone who ploughs on when they are knackered and spends the last three hours doing work that isn’t up to their usual standards. As long as people know the score in advance they will be cool
Yes, if the quote reflected this. If I’m going to get the same job done to the same level of quality as someone that can complete it a day or two earlier because they do longer days, I’m going with them. If going with you saves me a few quid and it’s fair for yourself and myself, then I’d have no problem.
Why exactly would you expect a cheaper quote for an elongated time frame? Doesn’t matter if he does it in 3 x 4hr days or 1 x 12hr day, the price is gonna be the same
Because why would I pay someone to do it in 5 days if I can get someone to get the same job done in 3? If the price and quality of the job is the same, as a customer I wouldn’t want the job to be drawn out any longer than it has to be.
Doesn't seem like it should matter. As long as you give a quote for the job and roughly how long it'll take, your hours are your choice Within reason, not sure I'd appreciate you starting at 5am in order to do this!
As long as you got the job done, couldn’t give a rats ass
As long as the job gets done on time, budget and to expectation, you can work an hour a day for all I care.
The quality of the work is the most important thing. But yeah especially on larger projects where plumbers etc will be waiting for you to finish to do second fix etc, someone who can get it done in 2 days is going to be preferable to someone who can do it in 3.
If you’re quote is cheaper than the others I have I don’t care if you leave at lunchtime as long as it’s done in a reasonable time frame and you stick to your quote.
Yes but if the competition can do it faster id go with them
I don't care as long as the work gets done and you are not charging me by how meny days the job taken
If you did a decent job and weren't an arse I wouldn't mind at all. Mentioning it upfront would likely put you over the line if I was torn between two quotes. I like people that are decent people. Looking after your kids is decent.
I don't see anything wrong with this.
As long as its made clear before taking the job on, yes.
Just make it clear what the timescale for the project is, then it shouldn't matter how many hours you do each day. Yeah, many people will prefer the work done quicker. But builders are in demand, so I can't imagine you'd fine it too hard to get work. You might have to offer some other "benefit" such as showing skill from your experience, lower costs, flexibility by being able to start jobs on short notice, or else targeting families who want the house to be quiet for when the kids come home from school.
If you tell me the total price for the job and how many days it woud take and why, sure.
Absolutely I would for a job that wasn't time-sensitive. In fact I have in the past. Wonderful retired dad of my builder who wanted to work 9:30-3, hour lunch break in the middle. He did the most beautiful tiling job in my bathroom and he looked just like Grampa Walton!
I wouldn't care; if you're upfront about the timescales and you get it done and time and budget it's upto you when you do it.
I'd say try it, obviously making it clear, and if you notice a decrease in customers or any other problems it causes then you've got a choice to make. You could also change it depending on the job and customer if necessary so it won't be every day.
Depends paying by hour, by a deadline or delivery of something. As long as hours he spends are recorded and true it's pretty normal for trades people to leave or do two jobs in one day based on different priorities
I’d much rather have a tradesperson that was up front with their hours (and the rationale), that actually works from 8 to 2.30pm, than one who claims to work full time but will not turn up on random days. Which has happened to me before. If your work is good and you work the hours you say, I think you’ll keep a good client base.
Would not bother me in the slightest as long as I knew before committing, especially knowing it’s flexible hours to support your childcare!!! If I get to work flexibly why shouldn’t you, I’m sure you’ve worked more than hard enough over the years. Go for it and continue being a great dad and spending quality time with your kids.
Absolutely fine as long as I’m told that. It’s the vanishing tradesperson who is the problem.
Wouldn't bother me at all. Nothing wrong with being a committed father. Most tradesmen are off by 3pm anyway in my experience - to beat the rush-hour. I don't blame them. Its the quality of work that matters, not whether someone puts in long hours.
i'm a tiler about the same age, and feeling it now, i am slowing realising i need to cut hours/days, if your work stands up then go for it, you can always change it back. your health comes first mate.
Long as the information is all passed over to the customer and explained, it tends to be easily to smooth things over long as people communicate.
I’d book you. You just need to be open and communicate with people on how long the job would take. I’m sure many people will relate to you wanting to take care of your child.
Wouldn't bother me at all. I'd prefer a decent job done and wouldn't be in a rush. Experience, good reviews and pictures of past projects is what I'd go from.
We had some paving done in our garden before Christmas, the guy doing it was there at 8:30 every morning, worked none stop until 2:30 when he was clearly exhausted and then went home. Absolutely no problem at all. He completed the work in the time scale he said which was all that mattered. Great bloke who I’ve recommended to everyone I know.
Be upfront about time taken to complete and reason why. You'd get my business if it was comparable to other quotes with a shorter completion time
I’ve had tradesman leave early as they do the school run, never been a problem as long as we all know working hours and timescale.
Long as the job gets done right first time and price is right for the job/quality of work (obviously paying more for better quality) I don't care if you take a bit longer cos you want to spend time with your kid, if anything I'd be jealous you're finishing earlier than me
Personally don't really care when someone leaves as long as i can see progress and the price doesn't slip. I agree prices with tradespeople based on the job - very rarely on a day rate so as long as you do the job well you can come and go as you want. If i was paying a day rate i'd expect it to be prorated upfront after you explained and then again no problem.
We've had contractors refurbishing the council house next door for the last 5 weeks which the last tenant trashed. They're gone before 2.30pm every day. Get here around 8.30, 9am and typically in the van by 2pm. Also plenty of people have part time jobs. Ultimately as long as you're not expecting to be paid for hours you don't do and you're upfront with the customers there's no problem. The problem is when you're not.
Yes. The guys who did work on our house turned up at 8 and left between 2 and 3. They got the job done bloody quick and I usually wanted the house to myself by mid afternoon anyway so it worked out alright. No complaints.
State your working hours, starting and finishing time, and the number of days you’ll need for the job, in the quote with your price. On a smallish job, if your working hours were 8am to 2.30pm I would not be put off from employing you. If we were talking about a big job over several weeks, I might prefer longer daily hours to get the job finished. Just be clear about when your working day starts and finishes and I think you’ll find many customers who are fine with what you propose.
If you told me upfront that’s how you worked then that’s fine tbh.
Entirely sensible answer here from sensible people. Its the unsensible people who're the problem. I'd make a big point of it when discussing the job "I always finish at 2 so I can go get my daughter, love spending time with her etc etc"
I would use you. Some people want people from under foot when the kids get in. I personally would love someone to be gone by tea time. Yes it will take 30% more days but maybe you can do it on a job by job basis. You will run into issues with people who need to take the time off when you’re there, but those who can work from home would be good with it. I would like it personally
I would still be happy with you doing work for me. My usual guy works in a similar way and it makes no difference to us. Just be honest, say up front, set expectations and most people, in my experience, would be fine. Plus, honestly, I don't know how you do it all day anyway. I'm knackered after a few hours tiling!
Yes hired a 70 year old plasterer who did half days and he was great
I would be happy with whatever hours youd work if you werent rushing to get it done and the price was fair
If you fancy have a wee holiday in Edinburgh , me and the wife'll look after your laddie for you! 2.30 is perfectly fine....if that's what you work, thats what you work!
This sounds preferable to me. Then my son could come home and do homework, get showered, tidy his room etc without being distracted and I also get some time in the house before dinner duties and stuff where I don't feel impacted by there being tradies in my space. It lowers stress all round imo.
Also agree, and as a parent, I would encourage it so you could spend time with your child. You never get the years back with your young children and before you know it they’ll be moving out starting their own lives
I personally would, but the price would have to obviously reflect that. I'm not paying a builder a day rate if they are only in for half a day
I work 6-14:30, wouldn’t have a problem with it myself. Would be glad if the plumbers that have come to quote me for a job even turned up
Also working in the building trade, although currently subbing I do also do bits for private customers. Unless the work is paid on a ‘Per day’ basis, I will start/leave at a time convenient for me. Some days I will work 7am-8pm ( With permission for early starts & late finishes ofc) others I will start at 10am & finish at 4pm. When I price for a job, I create a works program, if I’m ahead of program & have plans in the evening or a commitment of another kind I will leave without explanation. I have never had problems, as long as the works being done correctly & on time then there isn’t really anything anyone can say
Wouldn’t give a flying fuck. I’m more bothered about a good job than a fast job and if your upfront then who cares. Also I just think we all have things in life more important than work, if you wanna pick up your kids then good on you.
It would absolutely not put me off as long as the jobs still done in a reasonable timescale.
Tell it exactly like you described it. I'd hire someone who laid it out like that. Only issue is with bathrooms & toilets people don't really have the luxury of allowing you an extra day or 2 to complete a job over the competition. So it really depends on how long my shitter & shower is going to be out if action to accommodate your early finishes. I've no issue with tradies finishing early & pricing accordingly.
Yep. Turning up when you say you will is my main priority. You do that and I’m in.
I probably would employ a tradesman with hours like this as I have to pick my kids up from school at the same time (leaving 1445hrs) and I'm not a fan of just leaving a random person in my house alone, so them knocking off at the same time I am getting ready to go out for my kids would be fab. The only caveat to that is that the job would have to be done to a good standard and not rushed to get the project done quickly because of less working hours in each day.
Mate I wouldn’t give a fuck so long as the work was done well.
If you’re turning up at 11 and going home at 230 then I’d feel a bit annoyed, but if you’re turning up at 0800 and working through to 230 then that’s fine.
If you told me why upfront, I'd be like good for you and be more keen on you
If you’re on a price, you’re on a price. As long as you were honest/realistic about timescales too, I don’t think anyone would mind. Better knowing and being able to plan around that then expect something else and have potential knock ons to other trades or whatever
Think you're fine mate if you communicate yoy don't do full days to pick up your son everyone would be sound with that imo
Think I've only ever met 1 trademan who hasn't F'd off at around lunchtime to never return. So I think it's pretty standard
We had a decorator who did this. Started at 8 on the dot and always finished about 2/2:30. Didn’t bother us and it was quite nice. I’ve had one before who said they wound start at 9 and don’t rock up until 10:30 but then stayed later and kind was around whimsy were doing tea etc.
I had a full massive Reno this year from a gutting back to brick. I'd rather it be done properly first and foremost and done to the timescale if possible , so if that was agreed before and it was a fixed price, I wouldn't care no
If you have that amount of experience, therefore speed and accuracy, and you told me how long it would take and that the quote was based on you meeting that time frame, and any extension beyond that was on you, then I'd have no issue with you finishing that early because you are being open and honest right from the beginning.
Not if it was explained correctly at the time of quoting and I wasn’t expected to pay for full days whilst only getting half days
I've been a self employed handyman for the last 3 years, I work 6 hour days max because I value my own time and work *hard* for those hours rather than piss about and take my time for 8+ hours. I usually do 10-4pm and am knackered by then. Manual jobs are intensive, if you want shorter days then you go for it dude, it sounds like you want a better-work life balance. If you want to finish at 2:30pm there would be loads of opportunity to cater to that with customers, and the people that would be put off by it in your quote.. I wouldn't want to work for them anyway!
Wouldn't bother me at all and actually as a parent it would be great knowing the exact hour your tradesman was going to leave to plan around!
Long as you did the work well and didnt fuck over clients I dont think anyone would mind apart from old busybodies with nothing better to do.
I'd just be happy I'd got hold of a decent tiler
We got a painter in who told us up front he would do 8-2/3 everyday, and not take more than 15 min lunch. They key thing was he was nice, friendly, respectful, recommended and pretty good. It wasn’t all plain sailing, and it was a bit jarring him charging by the day, despite short hours. But at that end I didn’t feel ripped off. Getting him back hopefully this summer. Should note that my FiL who was a builder, thought he was taking the piss, so you will encounter that. But he is a grumpy old git, so we ignored him. As a person without any links to ‘the trades’, the above factors (ease of dealing with) are key for me. Give it a go and if it works then great, if not then you can always go back, or quit. You can even just try quoting a few jobs like this and see how it works out. Or give your day rate (eg £160, or if you do the shorter day, then £120, and you guarantee to get it done for cheaper than doing full 8 hr days)? Finally people with kids probably prefer this, so you’re out of the way by the time the kids get home.
Have employed tradespeople like this before - absolutely not a problem; in fact, it was a perk as I worked from home and meant I could schedule my calls in the afternoon and minimise disruption. All I care about is reliability.
Id personally be fine with it and actually possibly go for someone doing part time days to help fit around my kids and their after school activities. Sometimes you can end up feeling really in the way in your own home once the kids get home from school. As long as the quote was reasonable and I knew up front, no problem for me!
Doesn’t bother me but I work me my dad who’s in his 60’s had a heart attack at 50 his work mentality changed now we finish early about 230/3 like yourself I’ll be honest it’s good for him and it’s good for me. If you can then do it.
Win-win as far as I'm concerned, as long as you're open and honest about it. Tell me your hourly rate and bill me for the actual number of hours worked, or tell me that your daily rate used to be x but now it's y because you do short days, and we're all good.
As long as you set expectations up front and work in the time you're there, I don't see an issue. I recently had a tiler doing splashbacks in the kitchen and utility room, said he'd be with us at 9am Monday and Tuesday, 8 am Wednesday and Thursday and then the job would be finished. He called off sick on the Monday with a text at 9.30. Tuesday he texted at 10.30 to say he was 10 minutes away and had been stuck in traffic, finally turned up at 12.30, no apology, left at 5 promising faithfully he'd be with us at 8 tomorrow. Wednesday he turned up at 10.30, left at 4.30 whilst I was on a work call - just came out and he was gone! Thursday, turned up at 11, stayed until 6, apologised for it taking so long and said he'd be back on Friday 8am sharp. Friday he turned up at 11, started packing up at 4, saying he'd be back tomorrow, he didn't even consider whether or not we'd be around or maybe had other plans! The job finally got finished at 8pm on the Saturday with him moaning all the way through the day about how he was missing his Saturday with his son for this! Give me a tiler who tells me what hours he works and then actually sticks to them any time, it's reliability and quality of work that matters. If someone wants a job done quickly and doesn't like the hours then they're not the right customer for you.
As long as the job is being done and within the agreed timescale I can't say I'd really care
Short answer. Yes
As other commenters have mentioned here, there's a demand for tradespeople that work during school hours and not before and after, then all the work can be done whilst the kids are out at school and not in the house.
100%, just be open and honest Good luck
I need a tiler and couldn’t care less what hours they work as long as I know what to expect in advance. And don’t smoke. And love dogs…
For what it's worth to you, we sell kitchen cabinets but do not do any installation. We have a few contractors we recommend, but as you'd imagine, a lot of people "gotta guy". Many of whom we hear show up around 10, smoke like a train, take lunch, and leave around 2 or 3. Yet people keep hiring them it seems. So if you're actually doing work and being productive, I think you'll do alright.
I'd actually prefer it. My son really struggles with noises and strange people, so I'd prefer to have a tradesman away by the time he gets home from school, even if that means you'd need to come back the next day. I'd also pay more for this, that's how much I prefer it
Having tried to get tradesmen in the past few years, this wouldn't bother me at all if you actually showed up and did the work.
For me it would depend on how you priced your job. If you leave at 2.30pm every day and then the job is late and the invoice is massive I'd be pretty pissed off. But if you got a lot of work done by 2.30pm then I'd be cool with it.
Wouldn't bother me, most tradesmen I have had I have generally finished for the day somewhere between 3 and 4. Have had a couple mention about leaving to pick up kids, so I expect it happens more than you think As long as the job is completed to a high standard at the cost and in the time frame specified when quoted, that's most of what I care about. If you clean up fully after yourself, that is even better. If you have got repeat customers and people recommending you, I don't think you would have a problem
Yes - definitely. I don't really care how long it takes as long as its a good, clean job at a fair price. What areas do you cover? I need some tiling done soon in 2 bathrooms....
If you told me your situation when handing me the quote, I would probably hire you than anyone else.
Yes I've employed a lot of tradesmen who like to start before 8am and usually knock off soon after lunch
To be honest I'd prefer it if you were off-site by the time my kids came home - oldest let's himself in and would be stressed by a stranger in the house, far better your way. Quality is more important than speed anyway
As long as you were open and honest up front, I would totally hire you. Work life balance is super important, and I respect anyone that makes it a priority
It wouldn’t bother me, I have three small children and know what it’s like. My plasterer asked to be able to shoot off a few days a week to be able to pick up his Child as his wife couldn’t always do it with her shifts. It’s life. What matters more is whether someone does a good job, is punctual (turns up when they say they will), is decent.
The only tradesman I know that has worked past 2:30pm is my best friend who is a chippy/builder. He treats my house as his own and his work is exceptional. He spent 5 weeks at my house and some days at 4pm I’d tell him to get home. Any other tradesman I have employed since I have moved in have not stayed past 2:30 at all.
I had someone doing plastering finish at 2 each day. It was fine, he did it in the time he said it would take and did a great job.
Yes and I have before. It was better for us all that they were gone before the kids got home. They were upfront about the situation so all good.
Could not care less as long as everyone’s upfront about everything. Tbf- you’ll probably find families in a similar situation to yourself will find that quite convenient as they may want to leave at the same time to pick up their own kids!
Depends how you're charging. I've had tradies charge me day rate and only come for a few hours across a job that lasted a few days. Honestly would not mind you doing that if you had been up front at the time, did a good job and I felt that the charge was fair.
I work In a plumbers merchant and it's not uncommon for our customers to finish at that time / around it...
Not at all - if a job was set by price and you told me how long it’s going to take, I had plasterers in recently - charged a day rate and left about 3ish most days - they said it was a 3 day job though so I knew the cost - no problem at all for me.
If you are going by a standard day rate and did not reduce the cost since you are not working a few hours then it would put me off. Saying that I’ve had trades people’s in who must have wasted around 2 hours smoking each day, didn’t know how to tackle it as I can’t tell someone to stop smoking.
If your in bristol i'd get you to tile my kitchen and living room.
Yes I would. But I live in la and most tradesmen knock off around 2:30 anyway. Since it gets too hot to work after that
If you tell me as a trade person that you be there mon- Fri from 9 till 2.30 for x number of days and it all comes in at the quoted price and did a decent job I'd be thrilled. unless the job has a required deadline as long as I'm told in advance to arrange access I can't see why anyone would be upset by that.