Reliable workmen

[Nick]

I have been having a few probs with my London flat recently. I found a company who do handyman jobs. They are reliable, polite,  cheap and efficient. Not one of them is English (all Aussies in some sort of co-operative). They are cornering the market in Sarf London. WHy can't Engerlish werkers do this?  Very sad.

[Pastis]

English workers can and do. Witness Jim the Sparks, Stu the Tiler, Byron the Plumber (ok, I'll grant you he's Jamaican but Anglicised). I think the Poles have had their day but the Aussies are good on networking and have a relentless camaraderie.

[Pirate]

English  tradesmen are too expensive...end of...

[Snoopy]

I have been having a few probs with my London flat recently. I found a company who do handyman jobs. They are reliable, polite,  cheap and efficient. Not one of them is English (all Aussies in some sort of co-operative). They are cornering the market in Sarf London. WHy can't Engerlish werkers do this?  Very sad.

It has much to do with legislation and registration. Most "foreign" self employed handymen have neither qualification nor are they paying taxes. It follows therefore that they also ignore all legislation and due to lack of registration with appropriate trade bodies they have little to fear if they botch it and scarper. Easy way to check ~ how many of these foreign workers provide a landline phone number? If they only give out a mobile number it is a sure sign they are on the fiddle.

[Nick]

The invoice gives their address, landline and VAT Reg No. 

[Snoopy]

That makes my words no less true.