....what's the most important things that you guys look for, want or need when considering working for a company? Type of work? Geographical location? Rates? Continuity of work? Day money or price work? Working conditions? Decent supervision and/or project managers that you can talk to? Guaranteed, regular payment? To be 'on the cards'? What else would affect your decision making? Reason I am asking is that we are growing our business and our regular floorlayers/carpet fitters will not be able to cope with the additional work. The market is changing and soon you guys, well the good ones anyway will be able to charge more for your services (about time), there is a lot of work and not enough good blokes out there to do it. We want to attract the best guys and are not interested in Eastern Europeans undercutting prices, we never have been - the senior management in the company are ex-floorlayers and we have always tended to use fitters that we know and who have worked with us a long time. So, to attract and retain the best fitters, we'd like to know what's important to you, please? We've got a free bar and several worn-out pole dancers in our warehouse, so that one's already sorted Many thanks Loughton
Rates are top of my list. Then I want a my work area free (or as free as possible) of other trades. Although thats easy to say, through decent management, it can be achieved, and that gives you a chance to earn decent money. I`m not really interested in day rate, and would much rather work on price. Location is important, but I will work anywhere (just back from Glasgow today), if the money is right, and its for a limited time. Payments (in my opinion) should be invoice one week, paid the next. NOTHING should be deducted from that invoice, unless it is discussed first. A pet hate of mine, is companies knocking off money, without talking to you first. I have no interest in working for anyone cards in, again, just my personal opinion. Are you Loughton Contracts ??
No good asking me... I'm happy just doing what I do (not sure what it is anymore though)...Lol But, as you asked... Clean work, as in not having to clear up before you start and paid on time... I'm easily pleased..
I agree with getting the right rate and getting to work in as empty a place as possible but for me I need to be allowed to fit the floor in the correct way. I've just turned down a job I would have really liked to get all because the QS wanted me to fit solid direct to chipboard with the nailer! I explained the installation process and why it worked out a bit more expensive but all he heard was the ching of extra money. I realised I was getting nowhere and also quickly realised if and when the customer complained I would be the one taking the fall!
It is having jobs properly surveyed, which means being able to work in a clear area, any problems noted and taken into account, correct quantities of materials provided, adequate time allowed for the job and specific instructions on the job sheet. If a company is conscientious enough to do this then everything else should follow. Oh yeah and maybe some chocolate biccies!
rates and quality. High rates are good providing you are not expecting many Sq'm of flooring to go down along with them. All this achieves is poor quality installs getting paid higher rates than the the installers that are offering high quality but at obviously a slower speed. The u.k is becoming the new china for speed and normally poor quality. Bit like going to buy a new car and paying porsche money for a substandard built car. Installers are asked to produce way to many meters to earn the money. However this doesnt stop a crap installer going slow! So i would suggest that YOU also look to see what sort of quality a installer can produce? Do they keep themselves up to date with training / new methods, what can they back themselves up with ? Maybe a simple Q+A on subfloor etc to check the installers knowledge? you will be amazed what lack of knowledge many installers have. Also What are you expecting a installer to do for the days wage? to many companys force installers into way to much to earn their money.
Thanks very much indeed Gents Neilydun, yes Sir, we are Loughton Contracts. Some very interesting feedback, thank you all and although most points are plain common sense, such as us making sure the areas are clear, correct amount of materials provided and clear instructions given on the job sheet - I see that it doesn't always happen that way and am working to ensure that it does. I know that we certainly have room for improvement in these areas, stronger management to deal with problematic sites or site managers particularly. Some great points by Matt regarding the skills and knowledge of installers - the Q+A is a brilliant idea and is one that I'll be pinching, thank you! I honestly don't think we are expecting too much from our current guys, of course it depends on the job they are doing, but I like to think we pay fair rates and are able to offer continuity of work for the vast majority of our guys. With regards to quality, we have our own in house quality manager and it's his job to oversee quality throughout the business - that's not 'just' the finished installation, but also our project management and supply chain. Do any of you guys currently get a retention held against your work at all? It's not something we have ever done, but I understand a few of our competitors do hold retentions and I wondered what the feelings are about that (I know my own feelings when client's hold one on us!) Thanks again for the feedback, it's much appreciated.
I don`t think its fair to take retention from fitters. If the job has been signed off, and the client is satisfied, there should be no need for it. I did some work for Trafalgar, a fair few years ago, and was unaware they took a retention. I never got my retention, even though there were no problems with the job. It`s hard enough to get your money out of a lot of firms, without the added hassle of fighting for retentions. I think the CFA are fighting (along with others) to have retentions banned. How about a bonus for bringing the job in on time, and to standard ?
100% agree, there are some lazy installers out there that will spend most of the day on tea break. Installers who produce the quality and put in the hours should be rewarded also.
unless you are employed (still no excuse) which 99% of us aren't then your comment makes no sense! Why would you sit around doing nothing when you need to get it done in order to get paid? Is this feedback you get given whilst in your training centre everyday then Matt?
I've seen plenty of fitters that can't be ****ed to do the work. Turn up late and duck off early. Rather have their money cut than do a hard days work
you talking about site work then obviously? As you wouldn't come accross other fitters on a domestic job?
Usually when fitters get day rate, they hang it out compared to doing price work. I prefer price work, never liked doing day rate when I used to sub.
I agree with the retention issue, but there are times when a job is signed off as perfect, only to go wonky a few weeks/months down the line - it's trying to manage that process and being fair to all parties that matters in my opinion. You'd be amazed at the amount of fitters we've known who are very good, but do enough work to earn their regular day money, let's say £150.00 by doing price work and then go home after lunch, instead of staying on and earning £200 / £300 a day - makes no sense to me! Edit - Lol at Distinctive Adam's 'Legends....Big Guns' comment btw!
If there is a problem, a few weeks, or months after install, in general, I would assume its a subfloor or preparation issue. If the site has been correctly surveyed, and specified, this should not be the case, and I dont think its the fitters job to do this. However, if this has happened, then your beef would be with the specifier/manufacturer, not the fitter. All to often I arrive on site, and find the wrong, product has been sent to site. When a phone call is made, generally, i`m told to 'put it on the floor'. I`m not saying all companies work like this, but generally, I have found this is the case. I`m also not condoning the cowboy fitters. If there work is not up to scratch, this would/should be recognised within the first few days on site, if your quality control/site agent is doing his job. I also know a lot of guys who just want to make there 150-160`s. Its up to them I suppose, but i`d rather stay on and earn a few quid more.
