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Dodgy tradesmen
 

I've been calling a few tradesmen/tree surgeons to cut down a tree in my garden and noticed 2 of them telling me that they could do it for £100-150 and remove the stump but are fully booked for months.

The tradesmen that are available and can work immediately want between £700-1200.

Why are the tradesmen clearly lying about the price of the job saying it can be done for £100 ? But then saying they can't do it for 3 months. Are they deliberately trying to waste people's time ?

Re: Dodgy tradesmen
 

Holy crap it's really the same on your side of the pond?

Let me tell you man.. I've been trying to get a tree service out to my house for the last 3 freaking months now. I only need 2 trees trimmed that are rubbing against my garage roof. I haven't had issues with their price quote, it's just getting them to actually do the job seems impossible. They've been out here 3 times now.
First time - guy comes out planning to climb the trees to trim them, tells me he can't so he will need the bucket truck which is in the shop
2nd time - crew comes back out with truck, it starts raining and they leave
3rd time - one person shows up with bucket truck but the rest of the crew fails to show up. Bucket truck leaves after a half hour.

And honestly this seemed like the most reputable option available to me judging by how professional they seemed before all of this.
I'm about to start contacting other companies but that's a hassle so I was really hoping this first company would come through.


I'm sure any and all issues will be promptly blamed on covid (*cough* *cough* the common cold).

Re: Dodgy tradesmen
 

^ its been happening everywhere while I travel 3-4x a week

Less people working if they can make more money staying at home

People spending stimulus money like crazy, driving the demand up, incentivizing people to charge more etc

People are offering people more money to jump the line