The Home Improvements Thread (3)

[Mannydefreitas]

It is not necessarily about being a woman though although it is possible. I have been quoted ridiculous prices by many. Lot of chancers in the market. You have to ask for 2-3 quotes, compare line by line, ask questions, ask for referrals and do your due diligence. It is not easy.

Read this before appointing a Contractor...

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You need to scroll down a bit.

Or just go to menu and click on Blog....

 

[maumau]

Whereabouts are you MauMau...?

Randburg area, Northwold. Close enough to Geezers, I see you recommend them.

 

[maumau]

well, you have an idea of what materials are required. Buy the materials yourself, maybe exchange for better quality materials where you can/want.

Then get someone to come quote you for the labour only with you providing the materials. The only downside to doing it this way, you have to be prepared for when mistakes happen. They do happen and sometimes its just bad luck. But imagine, like the pipe has holes in from the shop you didn't see. Not saying this will happen, just a random thought.

Usually this is how I like to do things. Does mean, the responsibility of the items are on me, and not on the provider. If they don't like the materials you selected, easy to get someone else.

It's a good idea but I'm not sure how the contractor would feel with a woman standing over them

I reckon some sneaky contractors intentionally screw up the names with hope that client won't find it.

Always coming up with something new . If they were good at their job there'd be no need for this nonsense.

 

[Steamy Tom]

I reckon some sneaky contractors intentionally screw up the names with hope that client won't find it.

I think the majority of them are just dimwits that failed at everything else in life, and also a large majority of those don't have english as their first language.

 

[Mannydefreitas]

I think the majority of them are just dimwits that failed at everything else in life, and also a large majority of those don't have english as their first language.

This is largely the fault of clients.

You get good, decent, hard working contractors who do good work at a fair price and offer back up etc.

Clients don't want those guys.

They prefer the Bakkie builders, who can be white or black, who don't pay UiF, are not VAT registered, dump their Rubble on the side of the street, don't have a website, offer no back up or come back service.

Why?

Because they are cheaper.

I can tell you dozens of stories of clients who came crying to me because they took a cheaper quote than mine and it blew up in their faces.

One day all the decent contractors will be gone and there will only be Bakkie builders left...

 

[Sideshow Bob]

I think the majority of them are just dimwits that failed at everything else in life, and also a large majority of those don't have english as their first language.

I don't think this is applicable to contractors I meant in the earlier post. As per my example, english communication or being dimwit was not an issue but being chancer was.

For example, I had a referral for pool (from my neighbour) last year and that contractor was fantastic and delivered quality job but he referred one electrician from far west rand and while these guys were decent in English, they were at least twice as costly than the cheapest quote I received. I chose electrician that was referred by at least 4 people in our complex and he was cheaper by a big margin as well.

Problem is that "established" contractors have been taking everyone for a ride for ages. We just don't realize it.

 

[aomar296]

Pictures of the spout

 

[A3@MBB]

It's a good idea but I'm not sure how the contractor would feel with a woman standing over them



Always coming up with something new . If they were good at their job there'd be no need for this nonsense.

Late to the Q&A, but have to ask as it made me curious.
Was the intention to trench and bury the polycop pipe from the courtyard to the wall and make neat or is all above ground and fixed to walls to the intended spot?

Perhaps the quote p/m include the manual labour to trench and the 2 hours was for the plumber himself to make connections and affix to wall etc?

 

[maumau]

Late to the Q&A, but have to ask as it made me curious.
Was the intention to trench and bury the polycop pipe from the courtyard to the wall and make neat or is all above ground and fixed to walls to the intended spot?

Perhaps the quote p/m include the manual labour to trench and the 2 hours was for the plumber himself to make connections and affix to wall etc?

Fixed to the unplastered garden wall.

The house is on a slope and he said he couldn't run a pipe along the sloping ground and would run it between the bricks. So the brick close to the ground at the beginning is 1m above ground where the tap would be

 

[Mannydefreitas]

Pictures of the spout

Buy these and you are sorted.
No Plumber required...

 

[acidrain]

Does anyone know where one can get hold of Zoysia Grass seeds.

 

[The_MAC]

Can anyone recommend a good "mop" for cleaning very coarse non-slip outside tiles?

I just had the previous very slippery tiles replaced, and did not realise how harsh it is on any mop, sponge or even cloth.

For now I used a bucket with soap and a soft broom, but that leaves a lot of residual water on the floor...

 

[WAslayer]

Can anyone recommend a good "mop" for cleaning very coarse non-slip outside tiles?

I just had the previous very slippery tiles replaced, and did not realise how harsh it is on any mop, sponge or even cloth.

For now I used a bucket with soap and a soft broom, but that leaves a lot of residual water on the floor...

Broom and a squeegee is probably the best bet..

Alternatively, you could try the broom squeegee.. not sure what exactly they are called, but it looks like a broom and has rubber bristles.. the bristles should be able to clean the rough surface and then double up as a squeegee to remove excess water..

 

[The_MAC]

Broom and a squeegee is probably the best bet..

Alternatively, you could try the broom squeegee.. not sure what exactly they are called, but it looks like a broom and has rubber bristles.. the bristles should be able to clean the rough surface and then double up as a squeegee to remove excess water..

Yeah, was thinking the same, will have to budget for 2 per year probably..

 

[ghaye]

Yeah, was thinking the same, will have to budget for 2 per year probably..

View attachment 1666989

Would it not be better to just invest in a pressure washer?

 

[The_MAC]

Would it not be better to just invest in a pressure washer?

So it's not a problem to do a deep clean, it's the day to day cleaning that I'm trying to resolve (currently clean it twice a week). Don't want to pull out the pressure sprayer just to do a quick clean, or even just mopping up a spill

 

[Brawler]

Hi guys.
Looking for a handyman recommendation or company (Edgemead) that will sand/varnish my wooden windows.
I've been meaning to do it for months but not got around to it so figured I'd just pay someone.
Thanks!

 

[gotaway]

I received a two quotes to supply and install a gate motor (no prior installation)
Are these fair, or are these people looking at earlier retirement?

 

[WAslayer]

I received a two quotes to supply and install a gate motor (no prior installation)
Are these fair, or are these people looking at earlier retirement?

That's about the going rate for the d5 Evo gate kit if you were to buy it yourself.. there are a few different anti theft brackets out there and they range from about 800- 1500..

Ready mix is about 100bucks a bag, not sure of usual pricing for the other items, but it seems relatively fairly priced..

 

[Steamy Tom]

I received a two quotes to supply and install a gate motor (no prior installation)
Are these fair, or are these people looking at earlier retirement?

imo its a bit too high, I wouldn't pay more than R10k installed including cabling.

if it were just a replacement I wouldn't pay more than R8k.