Why is it so hard to find a trades person for a small job??

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quebec

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Topic # 230679 8-Mar-2018 10:38

I had to get my Garage door replaced as it broke due to impact damage. Door jamb had some water damage on one side so I got that replaced by a so called builder (I think he was a handyman). I told him to replace the other side too but he never came back. Anyways now the house needs to be painted and I would like to have the other side replaced and having a hard time finding someone who can do it. Called a few, when they hear about the job they say find someone else as too busy!! Why ask me about the job if already too busy??

Here is a picture- Anyone knows someone who would be happy to replace it? I have the piece of timber or can get new one as it's a bit old.

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Reply # 1971090 8-Mar-2018 10:40

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It really is a pain to get small trade jobs done. For something like this, your best bet by far (if you are lucky to know one) is to get a handyman friend to do it, and if you are really lucky, a retired builder.

It seems the tradies are all too busy to do small jobs these days.

Cheers
JohnO

timbosan

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Reply # 1971094 8-Mar-2018 10:45

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Have you tried Builders Crack? https://builderscrack.co.nz/

I have had lots of replies to small jobs I have posted on there

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 1971096 8-Mar-2018 10:48

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BTW that board doesn't look too bad - maybe it's just the photo doesn't give a true indication, but I really wonder if it can't just be given a real bastard of a sanding down and repaint (with a good primer)?

quebec

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Reply # 1971103 8-Mar-2018 10:51

timbosan:

Have you tried Builders Crack? https://builderscrack.co.nz/

I have had lots of replies to small jobs I have posted on there

Yes tried builders crack, one builder replied asking for $500 + GST. Isn't that a bit much to replace. I saw the other handyman when he was replacing the other side and he pretty much pulled the nails and pulled the piece out and put the new one in place with new nails. Took him like less than an hour. I don't really want to but might try him again, he is a bit of a cowboy.

quebec

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Reply # 1971105 8-Mar-2018 10:53

kryptonjohn:

BTW that board doesn't look too bad - maybe it's just the photo doesn't give a true indication, but I really wonder if it can't just be given a real bastard of a sanding down and repaint (with a good primer)?

Well thats what the guy who replaced the other side said. Only little bit of damage on the bottom and in the middle. Can it be filled as some places the wood is worn a bit?

But since the house is getting painted, I thought it might be a good idea to put a new one as it's a pain to seal it where it goes against the cladding, in case it had to be replaced in the near future.

MikeAqua

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Reply # 1971106 8-Mar-2018 10:55

kryptonjohn:

BTW that board doesn't look too bad - maybe it's just the photo doesn't give a true indication, but I really wonder if it can't just be given a real bastard of a sanding down and repaint (with a good primer)?

I was thinking the same thing.

Always dangerous to draw conclusions from photos but that looks heat damage to the paint. It almost looks like whoever painted it in the first place has used oil and water based paints for the different layers.

Sand back and fill any cracks then re-coat with an appropriate paint. Less than two hours work (not counting drying time).

Mike

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 1971107 8-Mar-2018 10:55

quebec:

kryptonjohn:

BTW that board doesn't look too bad - maybe it's just the photo doesn't give a true indication, but I really wonder if it can't just be given a real bastard of a sanding down and repaint (with a good primer)?

Well thats what the guy who replaced the other side said. Only little bit of damage on the bottom and in the middle. Can it be filled as some places the wood is worn a bit?

I would have thought so, yes. And if your painter is any good he can do all of this - the sanding, filling and painting. Depends on whether the board is rotted at the bottom or completely sound.

wellygary

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Reply # 1971110 8-Mar-2018 11:00

kryptonjohn:

BTW that board doesn't look too bad - maybe it's just the photo doesn't give a true indication, but I really wonder if it can't just be given a real bastard of a sanding down and repaint (with a good primer)?

This,

Go down to bunnings buy a cheap $80 buck belt sander, and take to it, then you will be able to see if there are any bits that your painter might need to bog up before painting it.

I can see why the other guy didn't change it, its not really that bad,

quebec

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Reply # 1971113 8-Mar-2018 11:09

Thanks for the replies everyone. Here is another one. Need to replace the external siren, lights up but no sound. It's around $12.00 on eBay, $35 on trademe. I'm not confident about walking on the roof as it's colorsteel and can easily be damaged, already has few dented tiles where some tradies haven't walked properly, thats what the guy who recently cleaned the roof told me. Anyone has any ideas about this? This also needs to be done before the painting starts as the existing metal one is rusting and damaging the cladding and looks awful.

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 1971116 8-Mar-2018 11:14

There will be options for that alarm unit that look the same but might not be electrically compatible. For this one, I would personally call in an electrician or alarm installer (but I hate working from ladders)

Do you have the brand/model of your alarm? There should be a controller box for it in a cupboard somewhere.

MikeAqua

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Reply # 1971118 8-Mar-2018 11:15

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If you only put your feet where there are roof screws you won't damage the roof.

Mike

Aredwood

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Reply # 1971120 8-Mar-2018 11:16

Surely any alarm installation company should be able to replace that siren.

Bung

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Reply # 1971121 8-Mar-2018 11:19

quebec:

Yes tried builders crack, one builder replied asking for $500 + GST. Isn't that a bit much to replace. I saw the other handyman when he was replacing the other side and he pretty much pulled the nails and pulled the piece out and put the new one in place with new nails. Took him like less than an hour. I don't really want to but might try him again, he is a bit of a cowboy.

$500 might be extreme but depending on how much other work they could get in your area they might have to right off the rest of the morning or afternoon.

You've been shown how it's done and know that even a cowboy can do it so the answer might lie in your hands.

quebec

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Reply # 1971122 8-Mar-2018 11:22

kryptonjohn:

There will be options for that alarm unit that look the same but might not be electrically compatible. For this one, I would personally call in an electrician or alarm installer (but I hate working from ladders)

Do you have the brand/model of your alarm? There should be a controller box for it in a cupboard somewhere.

Here is a picture. Are those the siren wires going into that relay? I have an internal siren as well.

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 1971126 8-Mar-2018 11:32

Straightforward for any alarm installer to replace that siren box, and it will be with a smaller plastic box.

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